# Install core-lightning with Homebrew Lightning Network implementation focusing on spec compliance and performance. Version 26.06.2 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-29. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:core-lightning ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install core-lightning ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:core-lightning - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 26.06.2 - **Source summary:** Lightning Network implementation focusing on spec compliance and performance - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** MIT - **Source archive:** - **Last updated:** 2026-06-29T07:58:06Z - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - lightning-cli (cli) - lightning-hsmtool (cli) - lightningd (cli) - reckless (cli) - lightning-cli (alias) - lightning-hsmtool (alias) - lightningd (alias) - reckless (alias) ## Dependencies - bitcoin - libsodium - sqlite ## Build dependencies - autoconf - automake - gettext - gnu-sed - libtool - lowdown - pkgconf - protobuf - python@3.14 - rust - uv ## Uses from macOS - python ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 26.06.2 - Package-manager updated: 2026-06-29 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning - info: No cached GitHub release or tag data was available. ## Project history and usage Core Lightning is a C implementation of the Lightning Network protocol that focuses on specification compliance, performance, modularity, and node-operator control. It was formerly known as c-lightning and remains one of the main Lightning node implementations used by technically inclined Bitcoin operators. ### Project history The ElementsProject/lightning repository was created in 2015, during the early implementation period for the Lightning Network. The official README describes Core Lightning, previously c-lightning, as a lightweight, highly customizable, standard-compliant Lightning Network implementation. The project reached production use on Bitcoin mainnet in early 2018 with the launch of Blockstream Store. Its documentation later standardized on the Core Lightning and CLN names while keeping the same implementation lineage. ### Adoption history Core Lightning adoption has been strongest among node operators, protocol developers, and businesses that want a scriptable daemon, JSON-RPC interface, plugin system, and close tracking of Lightning Network specifications. Its support for plugins and multiple API surfaces makes it especially common in custom node infrastructure. ### How it is used A normal installation runs lightningd alongside a synchronized bitcoind node, then controls it with lightning-cli, JSON-RPC, plugins, or newer API surfaces. Configuration is conventionally stored under ~/.lightning, with network-specific config directories, and the hsm_secret file is the critical wallet-secret material. ### Why package nerds care For package maintainers, Core Lightning is more than a CLI: it ships a daemon, client tools, helper tools, plugins, manpage-style docs, and sensitive runtime state expectations. Packaging has to respect platform support, Bitcoin Core integration, database choices, and key material locations. ### Timeline - 2015: ElementsProject/lightning repository created. - 2018: c-lightning/Core Lightning in production use on Bitcoin mainnet with Blockstream Store. - 2020s: Documentation and README use the Core Lightning and CLN names for the former c-lightning project. - 2026: v26.06.x releases show continued active upstream maintenance. ### Related projects - Core Lightning is related to Bitcoin Core, the Lightning Network specifications, other Lightning implementations such as LND and Eclair, and CLN's plugin and RPC ecosystem. ### Sources - - - - - - ## Security Notes broad file, network, media, or database tool signal. - **Geiger risk:** blue / medium - broad file, network, media, or database tool signal ## Configuration and credential file locations These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval. ## Configuration files - Unix: ~/.lightning/config, ~/.lightning/bitcoin/config ## Credential files - Unix: $LIGHTNINGDIR/hsm_secret ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** core-lightning - **Aliases:** lightningd - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 0 - **Head Version:** HEAD - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** head, stable ## Related links - [Source-control packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/source-control-tools/) - Belongs to a source-control command family. - [Secret-risk packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/secret-risk-packages/) - Has protected-tool coverage, approval-gate, or non-low Geiger security signals. - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Language runtime packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/language-runtime-packages/) - Matched language runtime, compiler, or interpreter metadata. - [bitcoin](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/bitcoin/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [sqlite](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/sqlite/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [autoconf](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/autoconf/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [automake](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/automake/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [gettext](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/gettext/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [gnu-sed](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/gnu-sed/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [grin](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/grin/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, cryptocurrency, networking, node. - [grin-wallet](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/grin-wallet/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, cryptocurrency, networking. - [groestlcoin](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/groestlcoin/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, cryptocurrency, networking, node. - [floresta](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/floresta/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: bitcoin, cli, networking. - [ord](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/ord/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: bitcoin, cli, networking. - [pay](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/pay/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, payments. - [stellar-core](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/stellar-core/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, networking, node. - [cjdns](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/cjdns/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, libsodium, networking. - [copyparty](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/copyparty/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, libsodium, networking. - [fastd](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/fastd/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, libsodium, networking. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/core-lightning.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/core-lightning.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated configuration and credential file locations - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - cross-ecosystem install command graph