Related IOHK Address Lib is a free, open-source module for developers and technically minded users who work with Cardano (ADA) recovery phrases, keys and addresses. It bundles tools for creating a mnemonic (backup) phrase, converting that phrase into a seed for wallet restoration, and deriving addresses. The current release is version 4.1.0, and it runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The project is actively maintained, with its most recent code update dated October 27, 2026. Because the module handles the material that controls funds, it pays to understand what each function does before you use it in a real setup. This page covers the features, installation, safety checks and practical scenarios, so you can decide whether it fits your workflow.
Who Is This Library For and Where It Helps
The most natural audience is developers who build or test Cardano applications. They may need to generate test recovery phrases, confirm that a restoration routine matches a known address, or check script hashes before publishing a transaction template.
Technically minded users who want to understand their own wallet can also benefit. Seeing how a phrase becomes a seed and then a set of keys can explain why a single backup restores many addresses. Security reviewers may use the module to reproduce results independently.
It is less suited to someone who simply wants to hold ADA and send it with a few clicks. For that, a finished wallet with a guided interface is usually a better fit. Treat this module as a precise tool for specific jobs.
How Recovery Phrases, Keys and Addresses Connect
A recovery phrase is a sequence of words that stands in for a much longer random number. Software converts that phrase into a seed, and the seed is the root from which keys are derived. Derivation works like a tree: one seed can produce many child keys along defined paths, so a single backup can restore an entire set of accounts and addresses.
An address is a public identifier derived from a key. Sharing an address lets others send funds to you, but it does not reveal the private key or the recovery phrase. This distinction is why key material must stay private while addresses can be shared.
Scripts add another layer. They describe the conditions under which funds can be spent, and hashing a script produces a fixed fingerprint that refers to it. Keeping these concepts clear helps you read the module's output and separate what must be kept secret from what can be published.
Key features
Recovery phrase tools
Key management
Address creation and inspection
Script handling
Supported coins
The module is built around Cardano (ADA). Its recovery phrase, key, address and script functions are aimed at that network, so it suits Cardano-focused projects rather than multi-chain wallets.
How to install Related IOHK Address Lib on Windows
- 1
Check your Windows version
Confirm that you are running Windows 10 or Windows 11. These are the versions the module lists as supported, so older releases fall outside the stated range.
- 2
Download the release from GitHub
Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page at https://github.com/IntersectMBO/cardano-addresses/releases. Avoid mirror sites and files shared through chats or forums, and pick the Windows build or installer that matches the current version, 4.1.0.
- 3
Verify the file
Look for a SHA-256 checksum or a digital signature on the release page. Compute the hash of the downloaded file with a tool such as PowerShell's Get-FileHash and compare the result. If the values do not match, delete the file and download it again.
- 4
Run the installer or extract the build
If the release includes a Windows installer, run it and follow the prompts. If it is a portable build, extract it to a folder you control, such as a dedicated tools directory under your user profile.
- 5
Confirm the installed version
Check the version number shown in the release notes or in the program's own output, and make sure it matches 4.1.0. A mismatch can mean the file is outdated or was not the one you intended to install.
-
Building from source (optional)
Building from source follows the project's own instructions and requires Nix with flakes enabled. That prerequisite applies to compiling the code, not to running the ready-made Windows program.
System requirements
- Windows 10 or Windows 11
How to use Related IOHK Address Lib
Using the module is straightforward once you understand its four functional areas. Work in a clean environment whenever you handle real recovery phrases, and test with throwaway data first. A typical flow looks like this:
- Decide the task: generate a new recovery phrase, convert an existing phrase to a seed, or inspect an address.
- Generate or enter the recovery phrase in a local session, never in a web form.
- Convert the phrase to a seed, which is the input used for wallet restoration.
- Derive keys from the seed, following the path structure your wallet or project uses.
- Create the address from the derived key and compare it with an address you already know.
- Use the script tools to create, hash or validate any scripts your project needs.
- Record the output in a secure offline location, and clear the terminal history when you finish.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so you can read the code before you run it
- Covers recovery phrases, keys, addresses and scripts in one module
- Supports Windows 10 and Windows 11
- Latest version 4.1.0 with a recent code update
- Useful for testing wallet restoration and address derivation
- Focused on Cardano (ADA), so it is not a general multi-coin tool
- Aimed at technically experienced users; beginners may need extra guidance
- Building from source requires Nix with flakes enabled
- Handling recovery phrases carries risk if the computer running the module is compromised
Is Related IOHK Address Lib safe?
Because this module creates recovery phrases and derives keys, treat it as security software. Download only from the official website or the project's GitHub Releases page, and compare the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running anything. Never type a recovery phrase into a third-party website, chat, or online converter, and avoid pasting real phrases into anything other than a local tool you have verified.
Run the module on a computer you trust, ideally offline when you handle real funds, and keep your phrases on paper or hardware in a secure place. The project's code was updated recently and is not deprecated, but that does not replace your own verification. Check the latest version, currently 4.1.0, on the official website before updating.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/input-output-hk/cardano-addresses. 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
Related IOHK Address Lib is narrower than many general crypto toolkits. Its scope is Cardano (ADA) recovery phrases, keys, addresses and scripts. PSBT Commander, by contrast, is built around creating Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions on a Rust BDK base, so it targets Bitcoin signing workflows rather than Cardano derivation.
Powershell Algorand Module serves Algorand users who prefer PowerShell, while this module targets Cardano. Subzero focuses on keeping a reserve of bitcoins in an offline setting, which is a storage concern rather than a key-derivation one. If your goal is Cardano key and address work on Windows, this module is the closer match. For other networks, the alternatives listed below may suit you better.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- 4.1.0
- Last update
- 27 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/input-output-hk/cardano-addresses
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Related IOHK Address Lib is free and open source, so you can download it without payment and review the source code on GitHub. Being open source lets security-minded users inspect how recovery phrases are converted and how keys are derived before trusting the module with real funds. Free access does not mean you can skip verification, so check the file hash each time you download a release.
Yes. The module supports Windows 10 and Windows 11, and the latest version is 4.1.0. Install it from the GitHub Releases page, verify the file, and then run the installer or extract the build. The ready-made program does not require Nix, which is only needed if you compile the code yourself.
It can be, provided you handle it carefully. The module works with recovery phrases and keys, so the main risks come from the download source and your environment. Stick to the project's GitHub Releases page, verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature, and never type a recovery phrase into a website you do not control.
The module is built for Cardano (ADA). It handles recovery phrases, keys and addresses for that network, and it adds script tools for the same ecosystem. If you need Bitcoin, Ethereum or other networks, you will need a different tool, and the alternatives listed on this page cover some options.
Yes, in part. The module converts a mnemonic phrase into a seed, and that seed is the input wallets use to restore keys and addresses. Restoration only succeeds if the phrase is correct and the derivation settings match the wallet that created it. Test with a phrase you already know first, and compare the first generated address with one you already own.
No. Related IOHK Address Lib is a module rather than a wallet you open to hold coins. It provides building blocks such as recovery phrase handling, key derivation and address creation that wallet software or developer scripts can use. Think of it as a toolkit for working with the underlying cryptographic pieces.
No, not for the ready-made program. The requirement for Nix with flakes enabled applies to building from source code. If you install the Windows build or installer from the releases page, you only need Windows 10 or Windows 11. Building from source is useful if you want to audit or modify the code yourself.
The latest version is 4.1.0. Use the newest release from the GitHub Releases page unless a project you depend on requires an older one. Review the release notes to see what changed, and keep a secure copy of your recovery phrases before any update.
Verdict
Related IOHK Address Lib suits Cardano developers, testers and technically minded users who need dependable tools for recovery phrases, keys, addresses and scripts on Windows. It is free, open source, recently updated and available for Windows 10 and 11. It is not a beginner's wallet and does not cover multiple networks, so casual holders may prefer a dedicated wallet app. If you use it, verify each download, keep phrases offline and test with non-valuable data first.