LIT is a free, open-source Lightning Network node for Windows, aimed at developers and technically minded users who want to run their own payment channel software rather than rely on a hosted service. It is released under the MIT license and also runs on macOS and Linux.
Before you install anything, note that LIT is no longer actively maintained. Its latest version is 0.1, and its last code update came in November 2022, more than three years before this page was written. The software may still be useful for learning and experiments, but it will not receive the protocol fixes that newer Lightning projects get. Read the safety section before running it with real funds.
What a Lightning Network Node Does
A Lightning Network node is software that opens payment channels with other nodes. Two parties lock funds into a channel with an on-chain funding transaction, then exchange signed balance updates off the main blockchain. Only the opening and closing transactions touch the base network, which keeps fees and confirmation delays low for everyday payments.
A node also routes payments for others. If you have channels with peers who connect to a destination, your node can forward a payment along the path and earn a routing fee for the service. Routing requires liquidity on each side of a channel, which is why node operators spend much of their time balancing channel capacity.
Understanding this model helps you judge LIT. It is the component that holds channel state and signs updates, so mistakes in configuration or backups can affect real money.
Who LIT Is For
LIT suits developers who want to study how Lightning channels work at a low level. Reading the code, testing payment flows and experimenting with custom logic are practical uses. The project is a better fit for learning than for everyday spending.
Technical hobbyists who want to run a node on a Windows PC may also find it instructive. Running your own node teaches you about channel liquidity, fee settings and the difference between a node and a wallet, which are concepts that wallet apps usually hide.
Casual users who only want to send and receive small payments will usually be better served by a finished wallet app. Those tools handle node management automatically, which reduces the risk of configuration errors. LIT assumes you are ready to manage that work yourself.
Key Lightning Terms Explained
A payment channel is a shared balance between two nodes, backed by an on-chain funding transaction. Each update to the balance is signed by both parties, and a commitment transaction represents the latest agreed state. If a peer goes offline, the commitment transaction is the mechanism for settling the channel on the base chain.
An invoice is a payment request that contains the amount and a payment hash. The payer's node uses the invoice to find a route to the recipient. Routing fees are small charges that intermediate nodes keep for forwarding payments, and they vary by channel policy.
Hashrate, which matters for proof-of-work mining, is unrelated to Lightning channels. Confusing the two is common among newcomers, so keep the concepts separate when reading about the network.
Key features
Runs as a Lightning node
Open source under MIT
Cross-platform builds
Supported coins
The project documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC) as base networks for Lightning payments, alongside the Lightning Network itself. Check the repository for the current scope before relying on any specific network, since the code has not changed since 2022.
How to install LIT on Windows
- 1
Get the Windows build
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/mit-dci/lit. Avoid mirrors, torrents and links shared in chat groups, since they can carry modified files.
- 2
Verify the file
If the release lists a SHA-256 checksum or a signature, compare it with your downloaded file using a standard tool such as PowerShell's Get-FileHash. A mismatch means the file should be discarded and downloaded again from the official source.
-
Install or extract
Run the installer if one is provided, or extract the Windows build into a dedicated folder such as C:\LIT. A separate folder makes it easier to keep your channel data and backups organized.
How to use LIT
Running LIT on Windows is mostly a matter of opening a terminal in the right folder and calling the executable correctly. Keep your node's data directory backed up from the start, because channel state is what protects your funds.
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and move to the folder where you extracted or installed LIT.
- On macOS and Linux the program is started as ./lit. On Windows, drop the ./ prefix and use lit.exe instead, so the command becomes lit.exe.
- Start the node and confirm that it runs without errors before connecting to any peers.
- Read the project documentation for the available commands and their options, and test each one on a non-essential amount first.
- Record the location of the data directory and make a backup copy before you open any channels.
- Close the node cleanly when you finish a session, so the state files are saved correctly.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use
- Open source under the MIT license, so the code can be inspected
- Available for Windows, macOS and Linux
- Documentation references Bitcoin and Litecoin support
- Gives full control over channels for technical users
- Latest version is 0.1 and the last code update was in November 2022
- Not suited to beginners who expect a simple wallet experience
- Managing channels and liquidity takes ongoing effort
- Newer Lightning software receives protocol updates that this project does not
Is LIT safe?
LIT is no longer actively maintained, so treat it as a legacy project and check its status before use. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the file. Never enter a seed phrase or wallet recovery words on third-party websites, and be wary of anyone who asks for them. Because a node controls channel funds, keep backups of its data directory in a secure location. Start with small amounts while you learn how the software behaves. Check the latest version on the official website before installing, since that is the most reliable source of current information.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/mit-dci/lit. 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
LIT is a node you run yourself, which sets it apart from consumer tools. Polar takes a different approach: it builds local Lightning test networks in one click, which is useful for development but does not run a production node. Spark Wallet offers a minimal graphical interface for c-lightning, so it trades flexibility for simplicity. Zap Desktop is a desktop wallet that is no longer supported, so it is not a current alternative. Pick a tool based on whether you want to experiment, manage a node or simply make payments.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- mit
- Latest version
- 0.1
- Last update
- 2 Nov 2022
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/mit-dci/lit
Frequently asked questions
Yes, LIT is free and released under the MIT license. You can download the Windows build from the official source and inspect the code on GitHub. Free software still requires careful handling of channel funds and backups, which are covered in the safety section.
LIT can be used safely only if you download it from the official source and verify its checksum or signature. The project has not been updated since November 2022, so it carries more risk than actively maintained software. Start with small amounts and never share your seed phrase with anyone.
No, LIT is not actively maintained. Its latest version is 0.1, and the last code update was in November 2022. Expect no new protocol support or security patches from the project, and compare it with newer Lightning software before choosing a node.
The documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC) and Litecoin (LTC), along with the Lightning Network that runs on top of them. Check the repository for the current scope, since the code has not changed in several years.
A wallet is an app that hides node management and lets you send and receive payments with a simple interface. LIT is a node, so it manages channels, routing and signing itself. That gives more control and more responsibility for backups and configuration.
Open Command Prompt in the folder that contains the program, then type lit.exe. On Windows you drop the ./ prefix used on other systems and add the .exe extension. Confirm the node starts without errors before making any transactions.
Verdict
LIT is a free, open-source Lightning Network node for Windows, suited to developers and technically confident users who want to study or run a node themselves. Its last code update came in November 2022 and the latest version is 0.1, so it is best used for learning and testing rather than managing significant funds. Beginners who want simple everyday payments should look at a maintained wallet instead. Anyone who proceeds should follow the safety steps carefully and keep reliable backups.