Cshtop for Windows is a free, open-source terminal tool for people who want to follow Cosmos blocks as they arrive. It is aimed at developers, node operators and curious Cosmos users who prefer a text interface to a web dashboard. Think of it as a Cosmos take on the htop process monitor: a live, character-based view of the chain that you can keep open in a console window.
Be aware of the project's age before you install. The latest release is v1.0.0, and the last code update in the repository is dated February 20, 2023. That is more than two years ago, so treat Cshtop as unmaintained. It may still run, but do not expect updates for recent network changes. The rest of this page explains what it does, how to install it and what to check first.
What Is Cshtop and Why Use a Terminal?
Cshtop borrows an idea from htop, the familiar process viewer for Unix-style terminals that shows live bars and tables for running programs. Instead of processes, Cshtop displays blocks from a Cosmos chain. The result is a compact, always-updating picture of what the network is doing.
A terminal interface has practical advantages. It uses little memory, it updates quickly without page reloads, and it works in the same window where you already run node commands. For example, a validator operator who restarts a node can keep a Cshtop window open and confirm that new blocks are being produced again, without switching to a web explorer.
Who Is Cshtop For?
Cshtop suits Cosmos developers who test RPC and REST endpoints, node operators who want a quick visual check, and technically minded users who learn how blocks are produced. Anyone comfortable with a command prompt will find it straightforward once the endpoints are ready.
It is less suitable for people who expect charts, portfolio tracking, alerts or a polished graphical dashboard. Cshtop is a narrow tool with a narrow purpose. If you want a broader view of a chain, a full web-based explorer may serve you better, and you can use Cshtop alongside it as a live monitor.
How a Terminal Block Visualizer Reads a Chain
A block visualizer does not store the chain itself. It asks a node for information and redraws the screen with the answers. The RPC endpoint typically exposes node status and block data, while a REST endpoint answers structured queries over HTTP. Together, they supply the numbers the program displays.
The key term to understand is block height, which is the position of a block in the chain. When Cshtop shows the height rising, it is showing new blocks being added. If the height stalls, the connected endpoint may be behind, offline or pointing at a different network. Knowing this helps you read the screen correctly and choose a reliable endpoint.
Key features
Live block view
Connects through RPC and REST
Built for the terminal
Ready-made Windows build
Supported coins
Cshtop is built around the Cosmos network, whose native token is ATOM. The project's documentation names Cosmos (ATOM) as the chain it covers. Point the program only at endpoints for that network, and confirm compatibility yourself before relying on the output for any other chain.
How to install Cshtop on Windows
- 1
Download the Windows build
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/gsk967/cshtop. Choose the Windows build or installer for the version you want. Avoid copies offered by unknown sites, even if they look identical.
- 2
Verify the file
Open PowerShell and run Get-FileHash with the SHA256 algorithm on the downloaded file. Compare the result with the SHA-256 checksum published on the release page. If the values do not match, delete the file and download it again.
- 3
Install or extract
Run the installer, or extract the archive to a folder you control. If Windows shows a warning, check the hash first rather than bypassing the warning. Keep the program in a folder where you can find it again when you update it.
- 4
Prepare your endpoints
Before starting Cshtop, make sure you have an RPC address and a REST address for Cosmos. These can come from a node you run or from a service you trust. Without them, the program has nothing to display.
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Optional: build from source
If you prefer to compile the program, the source code is written in Go and requires the Go toolchain. This is a developer path and is not needed when you use the ready-made Windows build.
System requirements
- Windows, using the ready-made build or installer
- Network access to a Cosmos RPC endpoint and a REST endpoint
How to use Cshtop
Cshtop runs from a console window and needs two addresses before it can show anything. The steps below assume you already have a Cosmos RPC endpoint and a REST endpoint ready.
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and move to the folder where Cshtop is installed.
- Decide which RPC address you will use, such as a node you control or a trusted service.
- Decide which REST address you will use, matching the same Cosmos network as the RPC endpoint.
- Start the program and pass the RPC address with the --rpc flag.
- Add the REST address with the --rest flag, so the program can read structured data.
- Check that the screen shows block heights rising. If nothing appears, confirm that both endpoints are reachable from your PC.
- Leave the window open to follow new blocks, and close it with the usual keyboard command for your terminal when you are done.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with the source code published on GitHub
- Focused on Cosmos blocks, so the screen stays on one clear task
- Text interface that uses little memory and suits console work
- Simple concept that is easy to follow for developers and operators
- The last code update was February 20, 2023, so there has been no recent maintenance
- Covers Cosmos (ATOM) according to the project's documentation, not a wide range of networks
- You must supply your own RPC and REST endpoints
- Terminal-only interface, which may not suit users who want graphical dashboards
Is Cshtop safe?
Cshtop is a viewer rather than a wallet, so it does not ask you for keys, but it still runs on your PC and should be treated with care. The last code update was in February 2023, which means the project is unmaintained and may not handle current network changes. Run it on a machine you use for non-critical tasks, and avoid giving it access to sensitive folders. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum before running the file. If antivirus flags the program, check the hash and the source before deciding, but do not disable your protection altogether. Never enter a seed phrase on a third-party website.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/gsk967/cshtop. 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
Cshtop belongs to the block explorer category, but it does one narrow job: it shows Cosmos blocks in a terminal. Chainhook is a reorg-aware indexing engine for the Stacks and Bitcoin blockchains, aimed at building data pipelines rather than watching blocks on screen. BX is a Bitcoin command line tool, so it targets a different chain and a different workflow. Flowdepth is an order-flow terminal with footprint charts and liquidity heatmaps, which focuses on market activity rather than chain blocks. If you need a Cosmos-specific terminal view, Cshtop fits that purpose. For other chains or trading views, the alternatives above are a better match.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v1.0.0
- Last update
- 20 Feb 2023
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/gsk967/cshtop
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Cshtop is free and open source, and its source code is published on GitHub. You can download the ready-made Windows build without paying anything. You still need access to a Cosmos RPC endpoint and a REST endpoint, which may come from a node you run or from a service you trust. Read the license on the GitHub page before reusing or redistributing the code.
Yes, the project offers a Windows build or installer. Download it from the GitHub Releases page or the official website, check the SHA-256 checksum, and then install or extract it. You do not need the Go toolchain to run the ready-made program, which makes setup simpler for most users.
It can be, if you take basic precautions. Cshtop is open source, so its code is visible, and it does not handle wallets or private keys. However, the project has not been updated since February 2023. Verify the file hash before running it, and keep the tool away from sensitive data.
Cshtop is designed for the Cosmos network, and the project's documentation names Cosmos with the ATOM token. The program reads blocks through RPC and REST endpoints for that chain. If you point it at a different network, the output may not be meaningful, so match your endpoints to Cosmos before starting.
No recent maintenance is visible in the project. The latest release is v1.0.0, and the last code update is dated February 20, 2023, which is more than two years ago. Treat Cshtop as an older tool that may work for basic viewing but may not keep pace with newer Cosmos changes.
Open a console window, move to the folder with the program, and start it with the RPC address and the REST address. The RPC address is passed with the --rpc flag and the REST address with the --rest flag. Both must point to the same Cosmos network. After starting, watch whether block heights rise on the screen.
Among the similar programs in this catalog, Chainhook, BX and Flowdepth cover different chains and tasks. Chainhook is an indexing engine for Stacks and Bitcoin, BX is a Bitcoin command line tool, and Flowdepth is an order-flow terminal. Cshtop is the narrower choice if your goal is a live view of Cosmos blocks.
Verdict
Cshtop is a small, free, open-source terminal viewer for Cosmos blocks. It suits developers and node operators who already work in a console and want a quick text-based view of chain activity on Windows. Because the last code update came in February 2023, treat it as a learning or inspection tool rather than a dependable daily monitor. Check the official website or GitHub Releases for the latest version before installing, and keep control of the endpoints you connect to.