RPC GUI Tool is a free, open-source desktop application for developers who work with Bitcoin and Lightning Network nodes. It is aimed at people who need to send RPC commands to a node and read the answers in a graphical interface instead of a terminal.
The project describes itself as a general-purpose aid for building Bitcoin and similar applications. Its main strength is the ability to connect to several RPC nodes from one window, so a developer testing a payment flow can compare how different implementations respond. Note that the project has not received code updates since July 2020, so treat it as a reference tool rather than actively maintained software.
What Is RPC GUI Tool and Who Is It For?
RPC stands for remote procedure call. A Bitcoin or Lightning node exposes an RPC interface so that other software can ask it questions and send it instructions, such as checking a balance, creating an invoice or opening a channel. Normally this happens through a command line or a script.
RPC GUI Tool wraps that interface in a desktop window. It is most useful for application developers, node operators who are learning a new implementation, and researchers who want to see exactly what a node returns for a given call. A person who only wants to hold coins or send payments will be better served by a consumer wallet.
Because the tool is open source, developers can read the code to understand how the requests are built. That is valuable when you are trying to reproduce a bug or confirm how a method behaves.
Typical Use Cases for Developers
Consider a team building a checkout feature that issues Lightning invoices. They run a test node, create an invoice through an RPC call and need to confirm that the returned fields match the specification. Typing each call by hand is slow, and a graphical client makes it faster to repeat the same test with small changes.
Another scenario is comparing implementations. If a team supports both LND and c-lightning, they can point the tool at each node and check whether the same workflow produces consistent results. The ability to hold several connections open at once is what makes this practical.
A third use is onboarding. A new contributor can explore the methods a node offers without memorizing command syntax, which shortens the learning curve for an unfamiliar codebase.
Understanding Node Connections and Mainnet Defaults
Each RPC connection needs a host, a port and usually credentials that the node has configured. The tool's documentation notes that the default port points to mainnet. If your node runs on a test network, you must set the port explicitly, or the connection will look at the wrong place.
This detail causes many failed connections. Before blaming the software, check that the port in the tool matches the port in your node's configuration file, and that the node has RPC enabled. Recording the name you give each connection also helps when you have several tabs open and need to tell them apart.
Key features
Multiple node connections
Graphical RPC interface
Support for three node families
Optional configuration parameters
Cross-platform desktop build
Supported coins
The project's documentation mentions Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and the Lightning Network. The mining algorithm listed for this context is SHA-256, the same algorithm Bitcoin uses. Because the tool talks to node RPC interfaces rather than to exchanges, the assets it can show depend on which node you connect it to.
How to install RPC GUI tool on Windows
- 1
Get the official build
Download the Windows package only from the official project site or the source listed on its GitHub page. Do not use mirrors or links from forums that you cannot trace back to the author.
- 2
Verify the file
Compute the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded archive and compare it with a value published by the project, if one is available. A mismatch means the file may have been altered, and you should not run it.
- 3
Extract or install
If the download is an archive, extract it to a folder you control, such as a dedicated tools directory. If it is an installer, run it and follow the prompts. Keep the program out of protected system folders.
-
Start and configure a connection
Launch the application and create a new connection. Enter a name you will recognize, the node's RPC port and the config path if your node uses one. Leave optional fields blank to accept defaults, but change the port if you use a test network.
How to use RPC GUI tool
Using the tool is straightforward once your node is running with RPC enabled. The steps below assume a local Bitcoin Core or Lightning node on your own computer.
- Start your node and confirm that its RPC interface is enabled in the configuration file.
- Open RPC GUI Tool and create a new connection.
- Give the connection a clear name, such as the node type and network, so you can identify it later.
- Enter the port your node uses. Remember that the default assumes mainnet.
- Provide the config path if your node is set up with a custom configuration file.
- Save the connection and open it in its own tab.
- Choose the RPC method you want to test and enter any required parameters.
- Send the request and read the response carefully, paying attention to error messages.
- Repeat the process on a second node tab to compare results, if you are checking consistency between implementations.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so the code can be inspected
- Connects to several RPC nodes from one window
- Covers Bitcoin Core, btcd, LND and c-lightning
- Optional parameters keep quick tests simple
- Cross-platform codebase built on Electron
- No code updates since July 2020
- Supports a limited set of node implementations
- Ready-made builds are not a substitute for reading the RPC documentation
- Little documentation beyond the basic description
- Not designed for everyday payments or wallet management
Is RPC GUI tool safe?
The tool itself does not hold private keys, but it sends commands to your node, and some node commands can move funds. Download the program only from the official project page or its GitHub source, and check the SHA-256 checksum before running the file. Be careful with RPC credentials: do not paste them into third-party websites or share them in screenshots.
Because the project has not been updated since 2020, it may not work with newer node versions or pass modern security expectations. Run it on a test node first, use a locked-down RPC user with limited permissions, and keep your antivirus active. Your antivirus may flag unfamiliar Electron apps, so verify the file instead of disabling protection.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/rsbondi/nodes-debug. 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
Several other tools in this catalog serve nearby needs, but they focus on different tasks. Polar builds local Lightning networks with one click, which suits testing a whole topology. Spark Wallet offers a minimal interface for c-lightning, aimed at operating a single node rather than querying many. Peach is a consumer desktop wallet for making small Lightning payments, so it is designed for spending rather than debugging.
RPC GUI Tool sits closer to a developer inspector. Its distinguishing feature is connecting several RPC endpoints in one place and covering multiple implementations. If you need to build and tear down test networks, Polar is the better fit; if you need to send payments, a wallet is the right choice. Choose RPC GUI Tool when your goal is to examine and compare raw node responses.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- —
- Last update
- 22 Jul 2020
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/rsbondi/nodes-debug
Frequently asked questions
Yes, RPC GUI Tool is free and open source. You can download the Windows build without paying, and the source code is available on GitHub for anyone who wants to review or modify it.
According to the project, it works with Bitcoin Core, btcd, LND and c-lightning. Its purpose is to let you interact with the RPC interfaces of these implementations from a single graphical application.
It can be, if you download it from the official source and verify the SHA-256 checksum before running it. The project has not been updated since 2020, so run it against a test node first and avoid exposing your RPC credentials to anyone else.
It is designed for querying and testing node RPC interfaces rather than for managing a personal wallet. Some node commands can move funds, so use it carefully, preferably on a test network, and rely on a dedicated wallet for everyday payments.
The most common cause is a mismatched port. The default port assumes mainnet, so if your node runs on a test network, enter the correct port. Also confirm that RPC is enabled in your node's configuration and that the credentials match.
The ready-made Windows build is intended to run without a separate development environment. Node.js and other build tools are needed only if you compile the program from source yourself.
The project's technology stack is cross-platform, but the platforms listed for this program are Linux and the Windows build described on this page. Check the official source for the current list of supported systems before installing.
No. The last code update was made in July 2020, so the tool may not support recent node versions. It remains useful as a reference or for older test setups, but it should not be treated as current production software.
Verdict
RPC GUI Tool is a free, open-source option for developers who want a graphical way to query Bitcoin and Lightning node RPC interfaces, especially when comparing several nodes side by side. It is not a wallet and it is not actively maintained, so it suits learning, debugging and experiments on test networks. Teams that need current support or everyday payments should look at the alternatives in this catalog.