Spectre Miner is a free, open-source command-line miner for Windows, aimed at people who want to mine the Spectre network themselves and understand the setup before they start. It is released under the MIT license and written in Rust. If you are looking for a general-purpose GPU tool, this is a different kind of program: it works alongside a Spectre full node rather than replacing one.
The project also runs on macOS and Linux, but this page focuses on the Windows build and installer. The scope is narrow. You run a node, point the miner at a reward address and use the built-in help to check the available options. Because mining software is a common target for fake downloads, the safety section below matters as much as the setup steps.
What Is Spectre Miner and Who Is It For?
Mining software connects your computer to a blockchain network so it can take part in validating transactions and earning rewards. Spectre Miner is a tool for that purpose, built specifically for the Spectre network.
The program suits hobbyists and technically comfortable users who are willing to run a full node and work in a terminal. It is not a point-and-click application for people who want quick results without learning how the pieces fit together.
How Node-Based Mining Works
A full node keeps a copy of the chain and checks every block against the network's rules. The miner depends on that node for its work, so the node must be running and synced before the miner can do anything useful.
Rewards go to the address you choose. This separation is important: the node handles blockchain data, the miner handles computing work, and your address receives the output. Understanding that split makes troubleshooting much easier.
Practical Scenarios for a Mining Setup
A common approach is to test the software on a spare PC before committing a primary machine. Run the node, confirm that it syncs, then start the miner for a short session and watch the output.
Some users run the node on one computer and the miner on another on the same local network. Others keep a dedicated machine running overnight. Whichever layout you choose, keep your wallet and seed phrase on a separate device from the mining rig.
Key features
Open-source MIT license
Rust-based node pairing
Command-line help built in
Supported coins
Spectre Miner is built for the Spectre network. Mining requires a running Spectre full node, and the Rust version is the recommended choice, with the Golang node kept as a legacy fallback.
How to install Spectre Miner on Windows
- 1
Get the Windows files
Download the Windows build or installer from the official GitHub Releases page for spectre-miner. Download only from the official website or the GitHub repository, and avoid reposted files from forums or search ads.
- 2
Verify the checksum
Compare the file's SHA-256 hash with the value published alongside the release. If a signature is provided, check it as well. A mismatch means the file should not be run.
- 3
Set up the Spectre node
Install and start a Spectre full node first. The Rust version is recommended; the Golang node is only a legacy fallback. Let the node sync before you expect the miner to work properly.
-
Install and check the options
Run the installer or extract the Windows build, then open a terminal in that folder and run spectre-miner -h to view the command-line options before you configure anything.
How to use Spectre Miner
Once the node is synced and the program is installed, the workflow is short. Keep your reward address in a text note where you can copy it accurately, then follow these steps in a terminal window.
- Open a terminal in the folder where spectre-miner is installed.
- Run spectre-miner -h and read the full list of command-line options.
- Confirm that your Spectre full node is running and synced.
- Set the reward address and any other options you have reviewed in the help output.
- Start the miner, watch the first lines of output for errors, and stop it with Ctrl+C if something looks wrong.
Keep sessions short while you learn the tool. Note any messages you do not understand and check them against the help output before changing settings.
Pros & cons
- Free to use and released under the MIT license
- Open-source code that can be reviewed on GitHub
- Supports Windows, macOS and Linux
- Rust node recommended, with a legacy Golang fallback
- Built-in command-line help makes options easy to check
- Requires a running Spectre full node before mining
- Command-line workflow may be unfamiliar to beginners
- Miners are often flagged by antivirus software, which can cause confusion
Is Spectre Miner safe?
Mining software is a frequent target for fake builds, so treat the download step with care. Fetch the program only from the official GitHub Releases page or the project's official website, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running anything. Antivirus tools often flag mining programs, sometimes falsely. Check the detection and the file hash rather than turning protection off entirely. Never enter a seed phrase into a third-party site or program. Your reward address is a public address and does not require your private keys. The repository's last code update was in February 2025, so review recent activity before relying on the software for long-term operations.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/spectre-project/spectre-miner. 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
Spectre Miner is tied to a single network and runs alongside a Spectre node you operate yourself. Tools such as XMRig, GMiner and Rigel are general miners built around different algorithms and hardware, including RandomX, KawPow and NVIDIA GPUs. If you already know which network you want, Spectre Miner keeps the setup narrow. If you want to work with a GPU-focused tool across other chains, GMiner or Rigel may suit you better. Compare the network and hardware requirements before choosing.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- MIT
- Latest version
- v0.3.17
- Last update
- 15 Feb 2025
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/spectre-project/spectre-miner
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Spectre Miner is listed as free and is released under the MIT license, which allows free use, study and modification of the source code. Free software still has costs, including electricity, hardware wear and the time needed to run a full node. Estimate those before you start.
It can be, if you get it from the official GitHub Releases page and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature. Antivirus software may flag miners, so check the detection and file hash before deciding anything. Never give a seed phrase to any miner or website.
Yes. The miner needs a Spectre full node running to mine. The Rust version of the node is recommended, and the Golang node is kept only as a legacy fallback. Start and sync the node before launching the miner.
Yes. Windows is one of the supported platforms, and the project offers a Windows build or installer. The files are available on the GitHub Releases page, and you run the miner from a terminal after setup.
Spectre Miner uses the MIT license, a permissive open-source license. You can use, copy, modify and redistribute the code, provided the license notice is kept. Read the license file in the repository for the exact terms.
Run spectre-miner -h in a terminal opened in the program's folder. It prints all available command-line options, which helps you check settings before you start mining. Use that output as your reference rather than guessing at flags.
Verdict
Spectre Miner suits people who want a free, open-source, MIT-licensed miner for the Spectre network and are comfortable working in a terminal and running a full node. It is not a quick-start app for beginners. Before committing hardware or electricity, test the node sync and confirm the latest version on the official website, since project activity should be reviewed. Keep your verification habits from the first download onward.