Neuron is a free, open-source desktop wallet for the Nervos CKB network, built for people who want to manage CKB directly on their own Windows PC. It suits users who prefer a local application over a browser extension or a web account, and who want to read the code behind the software that holds their keys.
The project is released under the MIT license and is developed in JavaScript and TypeScript. Its source code is public on GitHub, and the latest release, v0.204.1, follows a code update dated September 12, 2026, so development is active. This guide covers what Neuron does, how to install it safely, how to use it, and when a different wallet may be a better fit.
What Is Neuron and Who Is It For?
Neuron is a desktop wallet, which means it stores the keys that control your CKB on the computer where it runs. People who choose a desktop wallet usually want more control than a hosted exchange account gives them, and they accept more responsibility for backups and updates in return.
The program fits three types of users well. The first is a CKB holder who wants a dedicated app and does not need many coins in one place. The second is a technically curious user who wants to inspect the MIT-licensed code. The third is a developer who may build the software from source to test or customize it.
It is less suitable for someone who wants to browse decentralized apps from a phone or who expects a single interface for dozens of blockchains.
Understanding the Nervos CKB Network
CKB is the token used on the Nervos network, and Neuron is designed to manage it. A wallet for CKB handles addresses, balances and transfers, and it signs transactions with the private keys that control your funds.
When you send CKB, the network charges a transaction fee. That fee is paid to the network, not to the wallet developer, and it varies with network conditions. Before sending a large amount, it helps to send a small test transfer first to confirm the address and fee.
Because a blockchain transaction is generally final once confirmed, double-checking the recipient address is one of the most useful habits you can build.
Practical Scenarios for a Desktop CKB Wallet
Consider a holder who keeps most of their CKB long term and only moves funds occasionally. A desktop wallet on a personal PC lets them check balances without logging into a third-party platform each time.
Another scenario is a user who wants to separate their crypto activity from their everyday browsing. Keeping a dedicated wallet application on one computer, used only for that purpose, reduces the number of programs that touch sensitive keys.
A third case is a developer or researcher who wants to study how a CKB wallet works internally. Because the code is public and under the MIT license, they can read it, compare it with other projects and build their own version for testing.
Key features
Native desktop wallet for Nervos CKB
Open source under the MIT license
Free to download and use
Builds for Windows, macOS and Linux
Supported coins
Neuron is built for the Nervos CKB network. If you hold assets on other blockchains, you will need a wallet designed for those networks, since this program is focused on CKB.
How to install Neuron on Windows
- 1
Download from the official source
Download only from the official website or the Neuron Releases page on GitHub at https://github.com/nervosnetwork/neuron/releases. Avoid mirror sites, file-sharing links and downloads shared in chats, even if they look like the official page.
- 2
Verify the file
Check whether the release lists a SHA-256 checksum or a signature for your file. If it does, calculate the hash with PowerShell using Get-FileHash and compare the result. If the values do not match, delete the file and download it again from the official source.
- 3
Run the installer or Windows build
Launch the installer and follow the prompts. If you downloaded a Windows build that does not install, extract it to a folder you control and run the executable from there. Keep the program in a location you can find again when updating.
- 4
Prepare for a CKB node if you need one
If you run a CKB node on Windows and it fails to start, install the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017 and 2019, then try again. This step is only relevant to running a node, not to using the wallet alone.
-
Create or restore your wallet
Launch Neuron and follow the on-screen steps to create a new wallet or restore an existing one. Write down the recovery phrase on paper during setup and store it offline.
System requirements
- If you run a CKB node on Windows, you may need the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015, 2017 and 2019.
How to use Neuron
Neuron is simple to start with once it is installed and your wallet is set up. Take your time on the first run, because the steps below involve moving real funds.
- Open Neuron and confirm that you are using the wallet you intended to restore or create.
- Write down or verify your recovery phrase before receiving any funds.
- Check your balance and the address you plan to use for receiving CKB.
- Before sending, paste the recipient address and compare the first and last few characters with the original.
- Send a small test amount first, then confirm the transaction completed before sending a larger one.
- Review the network fee shown before you approve the transaction.
- Keep a record of each transaction for your own accounting or tax purposes.
- Check the GitHub Releases page periodically for updates, and back up your recovery phrase before installing any new version.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use
- Open source under the MIT license, so the code can be reviewed
- Available for Windows, macOS and Linux
- Focused on the Nervos CKB network, which reduces clutter
- Source code and releases are publicly listed on GitHub
- Built for the Nervos CKB network, so other coins require a separate wallet
- Running a CKB node on Windows may require an extra Visual C++ runtime
- Designed as a desktop application, so it does not replace a phone wallet
- Users who want many coins in one app will find it narrower than multi-asset wallets
Is Neuron safe?
Neuron is a wallet, so treat installation as a security task. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and avoid third-party download sites. If the release provides a SHA-256 checksum or a signature, compare it before running the file.
Never enter your seed phrase on a website, in a chat or in a support message. Anyone who asks for it is trying to take your funds. Keep your recovery phrase offline and store copies in more than one secure place.
The project's latest code update is dated September 12, 2026, so check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/nervosnetwork/neuron. 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
Neuron sits in a narrower group than Coinomi, Exodus or Atomic Wallet, which are multi-asset wallets that hold many coins in one app. If you want one place for several coins, one of those may suit you better. Exodus also includes a built-in exchange feature, which Neuron does not focus on.
Neuron's main difference is its dedicated focus on Nervos CKB. Electron Cash takes a similar single-network approach, but for Bitcoin Cash rather than CKB. Frame, by contrast, is a system-level Web3 wallet aimed at a different kind of workflow.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- v0.204.1
- Last update
- 12 Sept 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/nervosnetwork/neuron
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Neuron is listed as free, and its MIT license permits free use. The cost you will pay is the network transaction fee when you send CKB, which is charged by the network rather than the software.
It can be, if you download it only from the official website or GitHub Releases, verify the file when a checksum or signature is available, and keep your recovery phrase offline. Open source code allows review, but it does not replace your own precautions.
Neuron is designed for the Nervos CKB network, so it is not a general Bitcoin or Ethereum wallet. For those networks, use a wallet built for them, or a multi-asset wallet if you want several coins in one interface.
Check the GitHub Releases page or the official website for the newest version, then download and install it. Before updating, back up your recovery phrase as a precaution, so you can restore your wallet if anything goes wrong.
Yes. The program is listed for Windows, macOS and Linux, so the same wallet is available on other systems. This page focuses on the Windows installation and setup process.
No, not for the ready-made program. Node.js and yarn are build-time tools for people who compile Neuron from source. Most Windows users should install the released build instead of building it themselves.
Verdict
Neuron suits Windows users who want a free, open-source desktop wallet dedicated to Nervos CKB. It is a good fit for people who value code transparency and prefer a single-purpose application. If you need many coins in one interface, a multi-asset wallet is a better choice. Install it carefully, keep your recovery phrase offline, and never share it with anyone.