Bolero is a free, open source desktop application that helps people run a full node for the IOTA network on Windows, Mac and Linux. It suits developers, students and hobbyists who want to take part in a distributed ledger directly instead of relying on someone else's server. One caution up front: the project has had no code updates since December 2018, so treat Bolero as a legacy tool and read the safety notes before installing.
The app is built with JavaScript or TypeScript on the Electron framework, which is why it behaves like a regular desktop program. The latest release is version 0.3.5. Because development stopped years ago, expect dated dependencies, and check the GitHub repository for current notes before you rely on it for anything important.
What Is an IOTA Full Node?
A full node is a program that stores a complete copy of a network's ledger and checks new activity against the network rules. Running one means your machine verifies data itself rather than trusting a remote service to report it.
IOTA uses a structure often called the Tangle, a directed acyclic graph rather than a single linear chain of blocks. Nodes on this network validate transactions and share them with peers, which is why a desktop client like Bolero focuses on keeping a node online and synchronized.
Who Bolero Is For
Bolero fits three types of readers best. Developers who want to see how an IOTA node operates can study the open source code and test their own tools against a local node.
Students and hobbyists who are curious about distributed systems can use it as a learning project. Anyone looking for a trading tool or a quick way to move funds will not find that here, because a full node is infrastructure, not a wallet or an exchange client.
Real-World Uses for a Desktop Node
A common scenario is a spare Windows PC that stays on at home and keeps a node running in the background. The owner can check that the node runs, read logs and experiment with settings without touching a server.
Another scenario is a classroom or workshop, where instructors demonstrate how nodes validate data. Because the code is public, the same session can include a short review of how the software is organized. Both uses depend on having enough disk space and a stable internet connection, since a node must stay connected to stay useful.
Key features
Desktop node setup
Cross-platform design
Open source code
Supported coins
Bolero is built to run a full node for the IOTA network. It does not act as a multi-chain client, so it is not the right choice for Bitcoin, Ethereum or other blockchains.
How to install Bolero on Windows
- 1
Get the official build
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page. Before running the file, compare its SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the source if one is listed, or check the digital signature in the file's properties. Stop if the file does not match.
- 2
Install the Visual C++ redistributable
Install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ redistributable for x64 from Microsoft's download page at https://download.visualstudio.microsoft.com/download/pr/11100230/15ccb3f02745c7b206ad10373cbca89b/VCredist.x64.exe. Run it once before launching Bolero so the program's required runtime libraries are present.
-
Run the installer
Launch the Bolero installer and follow the prompts. Keep the default install location unless you have a reason to change it, and confirm that the drive you choose has enough free space for the database snapshot that the first start requires.
System requirements
- 64-bit Windows with the Microsoft Visual C++ redistributable for x64 installed
- Free disk space of more than 5 GB for the database snapshot used on the first start
How to use Bolero
Bolero is designed to be started and left running, so the setup is mostly about the first launch. Plan for the first start to take a while, since the database snapshot is large.
- Open Bolero after installation and allow the first start to complete without closing the window.
- Keep the computer connected to the internet so the node can reach its peers.
- Check the application status screen to confirm the node is running.
- Leave the machine on for longer periods, since a node that goes offline stops contributing to the network.
- Review the GitHub repository for documentation if a setting or message is unclear.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source
- Runs an IOTA full node through a desktop interface
- Source code is public on GitHub for review
- Works on Windows, Mac and Linux
- No code updates since December 2018
- First start requires more than 5 GB of free space
- Covers the IOTA network only
Is Bolero safe?
Bolero has not received code updates since December 21, 2018, so it should be treated as a legacy program. Expect older dependencies and possible compatibility problems with current Windows versions. Check the latest version on the official website before installing, and do not rely on the 2018 release for anything critical.
Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, never from mirror sites or search-result ads. Verify the SHA-256 checksum or digital signature before running the installer. A node does not need your seed phrase or wallet keys, so never enter them into any program or third-party website that asks for them.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/SemkoDev/bolero.fun. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Bolero is narrower than the other clients in this catalog. It focuses on one network, IOTA, and presents it as a desktop application. Bitcoin Core serves Bitcoin, Geth and Nethermind are Ethereum clients, and Agave runs a Solana validator, so each of those programs targets a different ecosystem.
If you need a node for Bitcoin, Ethereum or Solana, the related pages below are a better starting point. Bolero is most relevant when your goal is specifically to explore an IOTA node on a Windows desktop.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- 0.3.5
- Last update
- 21 Dec 2018
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/SemkoDev/bolero.fun
Frequently asked questions
It can be, if you take precautions. Download only from the official website or GitHub Releases, verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature, and keep in mind that the project has had no code updates since December 2018.
Yes. Bolero is free and open source, and its source code is published on GitHub. You can read the code, review its history and decide whether it meets your needs before installing anything.
Bolero runs a full node for the IOTA network. A full node stores and checks the ledger, which helps keep the network verifiable. Bolero aims to make that process easier on a desktop computer than using a command line.
Yes, you should install the Microsoft Visual C++ redistributable for x64 before launching Bolero. Get it from Microsoft's official download page, then run it once. This provides runtime libraries that the program depends on.
The first start requires a database snapshot larger than 5 GB. Make sure the drive you install to has at least that much free space, and keep some spare room so the system can operate normally while the node runs.
No. The latest version is 0.3.5, and the last code update was on December 21, 2018. Treat Bolero as a legacy tool for study and experiments, and check the GitHub repository for any newer notes.
Verdict
Bolero suits people who want a simple desktop way to run an IOTA full node, learn how nodes work, or study open source code. It is free, and its interface removes some of the command-line work. Its last update came in December 2018, so it is best used for experiments and learning rather than anything where reliability and current security patches matter. Check the latest version on the official website before you install.