Staking Deposit CLI is a free, open source command-line tool for people who want to prepare Ethereum validator deposits on Windows. It creates BLS12-381 keystores in the EIP-2335 format and a depositdata.json file for the Ethereum Staking Launchpad. The project is deprecated and no longer maintained, and its last code update is dated October 6, 2025, so treat it as a reference tool rather than something to rely on for new work.
This page explains what the program does, how to install the ready-made Windows build, how key generation works in practice, and what to check before you use it. If you need software that runs and syncs an Ethereum node instead of preparing deposit files, the alternatives section points to other programs in this catalog.
What Is a Validator Deposit on Ethereum?
Ethereum uses proof of stake, where validators secure the network by signing duties with their own key pairs. Those keys use the BLS12-381 curve, which lets many signatures be combined efficiently. Before a validator can start, its public key must be registered on the network through a deposit transaction.
The deposit transaction carries more than a single number. It includes the validator public key, withdrawal credentials that control where funds go later, and a signature proving the deposit data is authentic. Preparing these values by hand is error-prone, which is why tools like this one exist.
A deposit data file bundles those values into one structured document. Staking Deposit CLI generates that file alongside the keystores, so the two sides of the deposit match. Understanding this split helps you see why the deposit file can be shared while the keystores must stay private.
Who Is Staking Deposit CLI For?
The program suits people who are comfortable working in a terminal. Its name signals a command-line interface, and the workflow involves choosing options, entering passwords and checking output files. Users who expect a graphical wizard with guided screens may find it less friendly.
Node operators preparing validators are the most natural audience. They need keys and deposit data created in a controlled environment before they set up their validator software. Developers and researchers who want to study the EIP-2335 format also benefit, because the output is easy to inspect.
The tool is less suited to people who only want to hold ETH or use decentralized applications. Those tasks do not involve validator keys at all. For them, a wallet or a block explorer is the better match, and this program will not add value.
How Keystores and Deposit Files Fit Together
A keystore is a password-encrypted file containing a validator private key. It is the secret part of the setup, and anyone who obtains it along with the password can act as your validator. Keep keystores in restricted folders and avoid copying them into cloud sync folders by default.
The depositdata.json file is different. It contains values the network needs to verify a deposit, and it is designed to be shared with the deposit process. Treating it as public information while protecting keystores is the simplest mental model.
A practical pattern is to generate files in one place, back them up separately, and record which keystore belongs to which deposit. Clear naming and a written log make it much easier to audit your setup weeks later.
Key features
EIP-2335 keystores
Deposit data file
Builds for several platforms
Readable Python source code
Supported coins
The documentation names Ethereum (ETH) as the network this tool serves. Its output is built around the Ethereum Staking Launchpad and validator deposits on that network. It is not designed for other blockchains, so it should not be used as a general-purpose key generator for other coins.
How to install Staking Deposit CLI on Windows
- 1
Get the Windows build
Open the project's GitHub Releases page and choose the latest release, v2.8.0 at the time of writing. Download only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, and avoid mirrors you do not recognize. Pick the Windows build or installer, not the source archive, if you want to run the program without compiling it.
- 2
Verify the file
Calculate the SHA-256 hash of the downloaded file using a tool such as PowerShell, with the Get-FileHash command and the SHA256 algorithm. Compare the result with the checksum published with the release. If you cannot find a checksum or signature, treat the file as unverified and do not run it.
-
Install or extract
If you received an installer, run it and follow the prompts. If the download is an archive, extract it to a folder you control, such as a dedicated folder on a drive you trust. Run the program from that location and keep the folder separate from your everyday downloads.
System requirements
- Windows, using the Windows build or installer published for the program
How to use Staking Deposit CLI
Staking Deposit CLI works from a terminal, so the workflow is a sequence of prompts rather than a graphical interface. Plan the session in advance, prepare a secure place to store outputs, and work offline if your security model calls for it.
- Open a command prompt in the folder where the program is installed.
- Start the key generation process and follow the prompts on screen.
- Choose a strong keystore password, and store it in a password manager or another secure place.
- Write down the recovery phrase the tool displays, and keep it offline on paper or in a secure device.
- Locate the generated keystore files and the depositdata.json file in the output folder.
- Upload depositdata.json to the Ethereum Staking Launchpad during the deposit step, and compare each value with what you see on screen.
- Back up the keystores and the recovery phrase in separate locations, and record which keystore belongs to which deposit.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with public source code on GitHub
- Produces EIP-2335 keystores and the depositdata.json file used for Ethereum deposits
- Builds are published for Windows, macOS, Linux and Docker
- Written in Python, so the logic is readable and inspectable
- Focused on one task, which keeps the scope easy to understand
- The project is deprecated and no longer maintained, so fixes are not expected
- The last code update is dated October 6, 2025
- Designed for Ethereum only, with no support for other coins
- Command-line workflow may feel unfamiliar to people who prefer graphical tools
Is Staking Deposit CLI safe?
This program generates private validator keys, so treat it as security-sensitive software. The project is deprecated and no longer maintained, which means security fixes should not be expected. Check the latest version on the official website before you use the tool, and avoid relying on an old release for new keys.
Download only from the official website or the GitHub repository, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature before running the file. Generate keys on a computer you trust, ideally offline and without browser sessions open. Never enter a seed phrase, recovery phrase or keystore password on third-party websites, including sites that claim to speed up deposits.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/ethereum/staking-deposit-cli. 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
Most programs in this catalog's Ethereum category are node clients. Geth, Nethermind, Erigon and Nimbus run or sync a node, handle network communication and perform protocol tasks that keep an operator connected to the chain. Staking Deposit CLI does none of that. Its job is narrow: creating validator keystores and the deposit data file.
That narrow scope is both its strength and its limit. You will still need separate software to run a node or validator after the keys exist. OpenEthereum is a former Parity client and is now closed, GoQuorum is an enterprise Ethereum implementation that is not supported, and Ethereum Grid is archived. Among these, Staking Deposit CLI is the only one focused purely on key preparation.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v2.8.0
- Last update
- 6 Oct 2025
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/ethereum/staking-deposit-cli
Frequently asked questions
It can be used safely only with careful verification, because it creates validator keys. Download the file only from the official website or the GitHub Releases page, check the SHA-256 checksum or signature, and never type a seed phrase into a third-party site. The project is deprecated, so it receives no security fixes, and you should weigh that before using it for new keys.
Yes, the program is free and open source. Its source code is public on GitHub, so you can read how it works before running it. Being free does not remove the need to verify the download and protect the keys you generate with it.
No, the repository states that the project is deprecated and no longer maintained. The last code update is dated October 6, 2025. That means no new features or security patches should be expected, so check for newer tools if you need ongoing support.
It creates BLS12-381 keystores in the EIP-2335 format and a depositdata.json file for the Ethereum Staking Launchpad. The keystores hold encrypted validator keys, while the deposit file contains the values used to register a deposit. Keep keystores private and treat the deposit file as a document you upload during deposit.
No, the tool is built around Ethereum (ETH). Its output is designed for the Ethereum Staking Launchpad and validator deposits on that network. For other blockchains, you need software designed for their own key formats and deposit processes.
Yes, the project provides a Windows build or installer, along with builds for macOS, Linux and Docker. On Windows, run the program from a folder you control and keep keystores in a protected location. Verify the file before running it, since the project no longer receives maintenance updates.
Alternatives depend on what you need. If you want to run an Ethereum node, Geth, Nethermind, Erigon and Nimbus are options listed in this catalog. Staking Deposit CLI is different because it prepares keys and deposit files rather than running a node.
Verdict
Staking Deposit CLI is a focused, free and open source tool for creating Ethereum validator keystores and deposit data. It suits technically confident users who understand the difference between secret keystores and shareable deposit files. However, the project is deprecated and no longer maintained, so it should be used with care and verified before you run it. If you need current support or a broader toolset, look at other Ethereum clients in this catalog.