Electron Holochain is a free, open-source program for developers who want to run a Holochain conductor as a sub-process inside an Electron application on Windows. It suits people building or testing Holochain apps, which are also called hApps. Our catalog files it under Lightning Network, but the project is about Holochain, a framework for peer-to-peer applications, so Lightning users should look at the alternatives later on this page.
The latest release is v0.9.1, and the last code update was made on November 8, 2023. That is more than two years ago, so the project should be considered unmaintained. It is still useful to read, study, or test in a sandbox, but think twice before relying on it for production work.
What Is a Holochain Conductor?
A conductor is the runtime that hosts Holochain applications on a single node. Holochain apps, or hApps, do not rely on one central server. Instead, each participant runs software locally, and the nodes exchange data directly with one another. The conductor is the component that loads the app, manages its data, and keeps it running.
That design explains why setup matters. Before you can test a hApp, the conductor has to start, hold the keys that identify your node, and accept the app's installation. Electron Holochain targets exactly that stage, so developers spend less time on plumbing and more time on application logic.
If you are new to the framework, learn these basics first. Once you see how a conductor fits between your code and the network, the rest of the workflow becomes much easier to follow.
Who Is Electron Holochain For?
Electron Holochain fits three kinds of readers. The first is a developer who builds a desktop hApp with Electron and wants a local conductor inside the same project. The second is a team prototyping a Holochain idea that needs a quick way to start a node and install a test app. The third is a tester who wants to see how key generation and installation behave before writing their own tooling.
It is less suited to someone who simply wants to use a finished app. If your goal is a polished end-user experience, look for a released hApp instead. Because the project is no longer being updated, it is also a poor fit for anyone who needs fixes for newer Windows releases.
For a beginner, a virtual machine is a sensible place to start, so experiments do not touch your everyday files.
Why Run a Conductor as a Sub-Process?
Electron apps are built with web technologies such as JavaScript and TypeScript, and they run on a bundled Chromium engine. Their main process, however, is a regular system process that can start other programs. Running the conductor as a sub-process lets the interface and the runtime be packaged together, so a user opens one application rather than two separate programs.
The approach also has trade-offs. The child process must be started, stopped, and restarted in step with the window, and its errors need to reach the user in a readable way. If the conductor crashes, the app should show a clear message rather than freezing. Developers should test these edge cases early.
Sub-process management is a common pattern in desktop development, so the ideas apply beyond this project. Learning them once makes future tools easier to build.
Key features
Conductor as a Sub-Process
Quick Startup
Key Generation and hApp Installation
How to install Electron Holochain on Windows
- 1
Check the Official Sources
Open the project page on GitHub at github.com/lightningrodlabs/electron-holochain and go to Releases. The latest version listed is v0.9.1. Windows builds are described as likely rather than guaranteed, so confirm that a Windows file is attached to the release before you start.
- 2
Verify the Download
Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page. If the release publishes a SHA-256 checksum or a signature, compare it with your file before you run anything. In PowerShell, the Get-FileHash command can calculate the checksum for you.
-
Install and Run a Test
Run the installer, then launch the program and check that it starts a conductor without errors. Begin with a throwaway configuration, since the code has not changed since November 2023.
How to use Electron Holochain
Electron Holochain is easiest to learn through a short test session. Work through the steps below on a non-critical machine, and keep notes on anything that behaves unexpectedly, since the project is no longer actively updated.
- Launch the program and confirm that the conductor starts as a sub-process.
- Generate an agent key pair using the key generation feature, and record where the key files are stored.
- Install a test hApp from a file you have already verified.
- Check that the app loads, then close the program and confirm that the conductor shuts down with it.
- Restart the program to see whether the installed app and keys persist.
Repeat the process with a different test app before you rely on the workflow for real work. Keep copies of your configuration so you can recover quickly if something breaks.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so the code can be reviewed
- Bundles conductor startup, key generation and hApp installation
- Runs the conductor as a sub-process of an Electron app
- Described as suitable for both development and production use
- The last code update was on November 8, 2023
- Built around Holochain rather than the Lightning Network named in its category
- Requires familiarity with Holochain and Electron to be useful
- Windows builds are described as likely, so you must check the release files yourself
Is Electron Holochain safe?
Electron Holochain handles agent keys, so treat it with the same care as any software that touches identity or money. Download it only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and never from a mirror or a link shared in a chat. Before running the file, compare its SHA-256 checksum, or verify its signature if the release provides one.
Never type a seed phrase, recovery phrase, or private key into a third-party website or a message from someone claiming to be support. The project has had no code update since November 8, 2023, so review its open issues and run it in an isolated environment. Check the latest version on the official website before you install anything.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/lightningrodlabs/electron-holochain. 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
Electron Holochain sits in a different niche from most programs in this section. Polar lets developers run local Lightning networks with a few clicks, which suits testing payments. Peach Wallet and Spark Wallet are aimed at people who want to use Lightning day to day, and Spark Wallet offers a minimal interface for c-lightning. Zap Desktop is no longer supported.
Electron Holochain differs because its focus is a Holochain conductor, not a payment network. If you need a Lightning tool, start with one of the programs above. If you need to build or test a Holochain desktop app, this program is the closer match, though its lack of recent updates is a serious drawback.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.9.1
- Last update
- 8 Nov 2023
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/lightningrodlabs/electron-holochain
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Electron Holochain is free and open source, and its source code is public on GitHub. You do not pay to download or use the program. The latest listed release is v0.9.1, so check the release page for the newest build before installing.
It can be used safely if you take basic precautions. Get the file from the official GitHub Releases page, verify its checksum, and test it in an isolated setup. Because the project has not been updated since November 2023, review the code and open issues before trusting it with real keys.
No active maintenance is evident. The last code update was made on November 8, 2023, more than two years ago. Treat the project as unmaintained, and plan for a fork or an alternative if you need ongoing fixes.
Install the program, start it, and let it launch the conductor as a sub-process. Then generate keys and install a test hApp. The steps above walk through the workflow in order, and it is wise to repeat them with a throwaway app first.
No. Although it is listed under the Lightning Network category, the program is built around Holochain, a framework for peer-to-peer apps. If you want a Lightning wallet, Peach Wallet and Spark Wallet are among the similar programs on this page.
The right alternative depends on your goal. For local Lightning testing, Polar is a common pick. For desktop Lightning payments, Peach Wallet and Spark Wallet are options. Zap Desktop is no longer supported, so it is better avoided.
Yes. The program includes handling for installing hApps, which lets you load a Holochain application into the conductor it manages. Install only apps you have verified, since an unknown app can run code on your machine.
Verdict
Electron Holochain is a free, open-source option for developers who want a Holochain conductor inside an Electron desktop app on Windows. It bundles startup, key generation and hApp installation, which saves setup time during testing. Its main weakness is the lack of code updates since November 2023, so it suits learning, experiments and code review rather than new production projects. Check the latest version on the official website before you decide.