Secret Network for Windows is an open-source project for people who care about privacy on the decentralized web, with a command-line light client and support for Ledger hardware wallets. It suits developers, privacy-minded crypto users and anyone who wants to keep keys on a dedicated device instead of a general-purpose PC. Before you install anything, note that the project has had no code updates since November 2020, so treat it as an unmaintained program.
This page explains what the software does, how to get the ready-made build, and where the risks lie. The latest tagged release is v1.0.3, and the code is licensed under AGPL-3.0, which means the source is public for review. Because this is a tool that touches keys, the safety section matters as much as the installation steps. Read both before you run anything.
What Is Secret Network and Who Is It For?
Secret Network is built around the idea of a decentralized web where privacy is a design goal rather than an afterthought. Its summary frames the project as an effort to solve for privacy while securing decentralized applications, and that focus shapes how the software is meant to be used.
The typical audience includes developers who want to experiment with a privacy-oriented network, researchers studying how account keys behave in such systems, and crypto users who prefer command-line tools over graphical apps. It is less suited to someone who expects a polished desktop interface and step-by-step wizards.
Set expectations early. The project is open source and free, but it is not actively maintained, so it works best as a learning and reference tool rather than as a daily-use application.
How Seed Phrases and Private Keys Work in Practice
A seed phrase is a sequence of words that can regenerate the private keys behind an account. Anyone who knows the phrase can control the account, which is why it must be treated as the most sensitive piece of information in the whole setup.
A private key is the cryptographic secret that signs transactions. Software tools generate or import keys, but the security of the key depends on where it is stored and who can see it. A key stored in a plain text file on a shared PC is far more exposed than one kept on a hardware device.
A practical habit is to write the seed phrase on paper during setup, store the paper somewhere dry and private, and never photograph it or paste it into a note-taking app. Hardware wallets such as Ledger devices reduce exposure further because signing happens on the device and the computer never sees the raw key.
Realistic Scenarios for a Privacy-Focused Network Client
A developer testing how a privacy-focused chain handles accounts might install the command-line client on a Windows machine, run a few read-only queries, and compare the output with the project documentation. This kind of hands-on exploration is where a terminal tool shines, because every command is visible and repeatable.
Another scenario involves a user who already owns a Ledger device and wants a terminal interface to interact with a network. Pairing the light client with a hardware wallet keeps keys off the desktop while still allowing scripted workflows, provided the user checks that the device firmware and software versions are compatible.
A third group is students and security reviewers who want to read a real AGPL-3.0 codebase related to keys and network access. Because the source is public, they can trace how the software is structured, which is a useful exercise even if the program is not used for transactions.
Key features
Hardware Wallet Support
Command-Line Light Client
Open-Source Code
Supported coins
The documentation mentions Ethereum (ETH), Cosmos (ATOM) and Nano as coins and networks. Hardware wallet support is listed for Ledger Nano S and Ledger Nano X. Check the documentation for current details before relying on any specific chain, since the list of supported networks may not match what you expect.
How to install Secret Network on Windows
- 1
Download the release
Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page at github.com/SecretFoundation/SecretNetwork. Pick the release marked v1.0.3, or the build labeled for Windows if several files are listed.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published alongside the release, or check the signature if one is provided. Do not run a file that fails the check, and delete it instead.
- 3
Install the secretcli light client
The Windows installation guidance covers the secretcli light client, which is also offered for Mac and Linux. Run the installer or extract the binary as the release notes describe, then open a terminal and confirm the program starts.
-
Prepare a hardware wallet (optional)
If you plan to use a Ledger Nano S or Nano X, update the device firmware through Ledger's own tools and keep your seed phrase off the computer. Connect the device only when you need to sign something.
How to use Secret Network
Secret Network is used from a terminal once the secretcli light client is installed. The workflow below is a general outline, since command names and options can change between releases, and the release notes are the authority.
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and confirm the client runs by checking its version output.
- Point the client at the network endpoint described in the project documentation, and keep the endpoint address in a note so you can reuse it.
- Create or import an account, and write the seed phrase on paper, never in a text file or chat.
- If you use a Ledger device, connect it, unlock it and approve each action on the device screen before the client proceeds.
- Test with a read-only query or a very small action before attempting anything larger, and record what each command returns.
Pros & cons
- Open-source code under AGPL-3.0 that anyone can inspect
- Lists Ledger Nano S and Ledger Nano X hardware wallet support
- Free to download and use
- Command-line light client available for Windows, macOS and Linux
- No code updates since November 2020
- Command-line focus may be unfamiliar to desktop users
- Windows support is described as likely, so confirm a Windows build exists on the releases page
- Limited guidance for beginners compared with graphical wallets
Is Secret Network safe?
This program handles keys and seed material, so safety steps are required, not optional. The project has had no code updates since November 2020, which means it may not work with current networks and may contain unpatched issues. Download the installer only from the official website or GitHub Releases, compare the SHA-256 checksum or verify the signature before running it, and never enter a seed phrase on a third-party website, in a chat or in a support form. Store backups offline and check the latest version on the official website before you install.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/SecretFoundation/SecretNetwork. 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
Secret Network sits in a different niche from most tools in this category. Cosmosvanity and Galvanity generate vanity addresses for specific chains, which is a narrow address-making task rather than a network client. Ian Coleman BIP39 Tool is an offline seed phrase utility, and PaperVault focuses on printable encrypted backups. If you want a terminal client that talks to a network, this program is closer in purpose, but it lacks recent maintenance, so compare release history before choosing.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- agpl-3.0
- Latest version
- v1.0.3
- Last update
- 11 Nov 2020
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/SecretFoundation/SecretNetwork
Frequently asked questions
It can be used safely if you take precautions, but the project has had no code updates since November 2020. Download the installer only from the official website or GitHub Releases, verify its SHA-256 checksum or signature, and never type a seed phrase into a third-party site. The main risk is using unmaintained software to handle keys.
Yes, the program is free to download and use. Any fees you encounter on a network are separate from the software and are not covered on this page, so review the network documentation for current details before making any transaction.
Yes, compatibility is listed for Ledger Nano S and Ledger Nano X. With a Ledger device, your private keys stay on the hardware and you approve actions on the device screen. Confirm that your firmware and client version work together before relying on this setup.
secretcli is a command-line light client offered for Windows, macOS and Linux. You run it from a terminal to interact with the network. A light client generally needs less local data than a full node, so setup is usually lighter, but it still requires careful handling of keys.
No. The last code update was in November 2020, and the latest tagged release is v1.0.3. Because the code is public under AGPL-3.0, others may review or fork it, but there is no guarantee that the original project will publish fixes.
No. The usual route is installing a ready-made release from the GitHub Releases page. Building from source requires development tools and is aimed at developers who want to audit or modify the code rather than simply run the client.
A seed phrase is a list of words that can recreate your wallet's private keys. Never share it, never type it into a website, and keep an offline paper copy in a secure place. Anyone holding the phrase can control the associated account.
Verdict
Secret Network for Windows suits technically confident users who want a terminal client, Ledger support and an open-source codebase they can inspect. It is a weaker choice for people who need a polished desktop app, ongoing updates or a beginner-friendly setup. Because the last code update came in November 2020, treat it as a reference and study tool unless you verify its current state yourself. Keep only small amounts in any experimental setup.