Monero CLI is the command-line daemon and console wallet for the Monero network, built for people who want to run their own full node instead of relying on a third-party server. It is free, open source under the BSD-3 license, and available for Windows through the Scoop package manager. The program suits developers, privacy-minded users and node operators who are comfortable working in a terminal.
Because it is a core wallet, Monero CLI talks directly to the network and keeps your keys on your own machine. That design gives you full control over synchronization and transactions, but it also means you are responsible for backups and safe downloads. This page covers what the software does, how to install it on Windows, how to use it, and how it compares with other full nodes in the same category.
What Monero CLI Is and How It Differs from GUI Wallets
Monero CLI is the command-line half of the Monero project: a daemon that runs a full node and a console wallet that sends and receives XMR without a graphical interface. Many users know Monero through desktop wallets with buttons and menus, but the command-line tools are built for people who want precise control and fewer moving parts.
The daemon connects to other nodes, downloads the blockchain and checks every block against the consensus rules before accepting it. The console wallet works alongside it, so you can create addresses, check balances and build transactions by typing commands. Because both components are text-based, they are easier to script, run on a headless machine or leave running for long periods without a window open.
The trade-off is a steeper learning curve. Commands must be typed exactly, a transaction cannot be recalled once it is broadcast, and error messages can be terse. Readers who are new to the terminal often start with a graphical wallet and move to Monero CLI once they want to run their own node.
Who Should Run a Full Node on Windows
Monero CLI suits a few clear groups of people. Privacy-minded users who do not want to depend on a remote server can run their own node and query the network directly. Developers who build tools around Monero can use the daemon as a local backend for testing scripts and payment flows without sending their traffic to a third party.
Node operators who keep a machine online for the network also benefit. A Windows PC that stays on at home or in a small office can host a node, and the console wallet lets the same person manage a personal address from the same installation. Someone who runs a small online service and wants to check incoming payments without asking a hosted provider may find a local node useful for that purpose.
People who need a simple mobile app or a one-click desktop experience will probably find Monero CLI too technical. It works best for users who are patient with long sync times, comfortable reading terminal output and willing to back up their wallet files carefully. The right tool depends on how much control you want and how much effort you are prepared to spend.
How Research Shapes the Monero Network
Monero's technical direction is shaped in part by the Monero Research Lab, an open forum where community members coordinate work on cryptography, protocols, fungibility and blockchain analysis. Outside researchers are welcome to take part, and contributions from people outside the core team are part of how the project evolves.
Research in this space does not always appear as formal papers or preprints. Some findings are shared as informal posts or discussion threads, which makes them easy to miss during a literature review. If you are studying Monero for your own project, it helps to contact the research community before starting work that may repeat earlier analysis. Asking questions early can save weeks of effort.
For a user of the software, this process matters because changes to the daemon and wallet can reflect ongoing research. Reading release notes and understanding why a change was made gives a clearer picture of how the network and the software are expected to behave over time.
Key features
Full node and wallet in one package
Open source under BSD-3
Responsible vulnerability disclosure
Continuous fuzz testing
Supported coins
The project documentation references Bitcoin (BTC), Monero (XMR) and Nano, which is useful background if you compare node software across different networks. The mining algorithms listed alongside Monero are RandomX and CryptoNight. For key storage, the documentation also mentions hardware wallets from Ledger and Trezor as options for users who want keys kept offline.
How to install Monero CLI on Windows
PS> scoop install monero- 1
Option 1: Install with Scoop
If you already use Scoop, open PowerShell and run scoop install monero. Scoop downloads the package and places it in its own folder, so you can update or remove it later with the same tool.
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Option 2: Download the release manually
Download only from the official website at getmonero.org or from the GitHub Releases page of the monero-project repository. Choose the Windows build for your system and save the archive to a folder you can find again.
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Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded archive with the value published alongside the release, or check the signature if one is provided. Do not run the file if the hash does not match.
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Unpack and start
Extract the archive to a folder you control, preferably on a drive with plenty of free space because the blockchain grows over time. Then open a terminal in that folder to launch the daemon or the console wallet.
How to use Monero CLI
Once the software is installed, the basic workflow is simple, although each step deserves care. Monero CLI runs in a terminal window, so open the folder where you installed it and start the daemon first. The node needs time to connect to peers and catch up with the current chain before the wallet gives reliable results.
- Start the daemon in a terminal and leave that window open while the node runs.
- Wait for the node to finish syncing. Check its status output regularly, since the initial sync can take a long time.
- Open the console wallet in a second terminal and create a new wallet, or restore an existing one from its seed phrase.
- Write down the seed phrase on paper and store it somewhere safe and offline.
- Check your balance and confirm the recipient address character by character before sending any transaction.
- When you finish, close the wallet and then stop the daemon so the node can save its state cleanly.
Keeping the daemon running is what makes wallet queries accurate, so plan your sessions around it. Many people run the node on a computer that stays on for long periods, which avoids repeating the initial sync each time.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under the BSD-3 license
- Full node and console wallet in one toolset
- Public vulnerability disclosure process with a HackerOne channel
- Continuous fuzz testing through OSS-Fuzz
- Installable on Windows with a single Scoop command
- Command-line only, which is hard for users new to terminals
- Initial blockchain sync takes time and disk space
- Mistyped commands and broadcast transactions cannot be reversed
- The Scoop route depends on a third-party package manager
Is Monero CLI safe?
Monero CLI handles keys and funds, so treat the download as a security decision. Get the program only from the official website at getmonero.org or from the GitHub Releases page of the monero-project repository. Scoop packages are convenient, but confirm that the package points back to the official release before installing it. After downloading, compare the SHA-256 checksum with the value published by the project, or verify the signature when one is provided. A mismatched hash means the file should not be run. Never enter your seed phrase on a third-party website, in a chat or in a support form, because no legitimate service needs it. Check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from getmonero.org. 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
Monero CLI is the official implementation of the Monero daemon and console wallet, so it is the direct choice if you want the original software for the Monero network. Aeon is described as a lightweight fork of Monero, which suggests a different balance between footprint and features for users who want a similar experience. Sumokoin and Masari are also Monero forks with their own networks, so their nodes and wallets do not interoperate with Monero's chain. Zano, Zephyr, Conceal and Scala each run their own networks with different goals, from a privacy coin to a stablecoin protocol. Dogecoin Core is a full node and wallet for a transparent Bitcoin-style chain, so it serves a different purpose despite sharing the same category.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- BSD-3
- Latest version
- 0.18.5.4
- Last update
- 25 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (available via Scoop)
- Official site
- getmonero.org
- Source code
- github.com/monero-project/monero
- Install command
- scoop install monero
Frequently asked questions
Monero CLI is a command-line daemon and console wallet for the Monero network. The daemon runs a full node that validates the blockchain on your computer, and the console wallet lets you manage XMR addresses and transactions through typed commands. It is aimed at users who want local control rather than a hosted service, and it suits desktops and servers where a terminal is comfortable.
Yes, Monero CLI is free and open source under the BSD-3 license. You can download the release, use it without a subscription and review the source code on GitHub. The license also allows you to modify and redistribute the software within its terms. Free software still requires care, so verify every download before running it and keep a backup of your wallet.
The simplest route is to run scoop install monero in PowerShell if you already use Scoop. You can also download the release from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, verify the checksum and unpack the archive. Either way, the installation gives you the daemon and console wallet, ready to run from a terminal window.
No, many people use Monero through wallets that connect to remote nodes. Running your own full node with Monero CLI means you do not rely on a third party to answer your queries, and you help the network by keeping a copy of the chain. The cost is disk space, bandwidth and the time spent on the initial sync.
It depends on your internet connection, disk speed and how far the blockchain has moved since you last synced. The daemon must download and verify the full history before the wallet can show reliable balances, so the first sync can take a long time. Keep the computer powered and connected during that period, and check the sync status regularly.
The project documentation mentions Ledger and Trezor hardware wallets as options for storing keys offline. Before relying on one, read how the device connects and signs transactions with your setup, and test with a small amount first. A hardware wallet adds a layer of protection but does not replace a secure written backup of your seed phrase.
No, the two are different interfaces to Monero. Monero CLI uses typed commands in a terminal, while a GUI wallet provides windows, buttons and menus. The choice comes down to whether you prefer scripting and precise control or a visual experience, since both are used to interact with the same network.
Verdict
Monero CLI is a strong choice for Windows users who want to run a Monero full node and manage a wallet from the terminal. It is free, open source and backed by a public security process, which sets a solid baseline. It is not the easiest entry point, and it rewards careful, patient users. If you prefer a visual wallet or do not want to manage your own node, a graphical option may suit you better. Keep your seed phrase offline and back up your wallet files before every major change.