XUD Launcher is a free, open-source program for Windows users who want to run xud-docker, a Docker-based setup for the XUD exchange stack. It suits developers and technically minded users who are comfortable with containers and command lines. The project has had no code updates since January 2021, so treat it as a legacy tool and review the safety notes below before you install it.
The latest tagged version is v2.0.0-rc.4, a release candidate rather than a final build. Its job is narrow: it wraps the xud-docker launcher so you can start any branch of xud-docker from version 2 onward. It is better understood as setup plumbing than as a trading screen, because no charts or order entry come with it.
What Is XUD Launcher Used For?
Most people who use XUD Launcher are developers or operators who need a repeatable way to start xud-docker. Instead of assembling containers by hand, they choose a branch and let the launcher handle the startup sequence.
A common scenario is testing. A developer might want to see how a work-in-progress branch behaves next to a stable one. Running both through the same launcher keeps the comparison fair, because the setup steps stay identical.
The tool also helps people who want to learn how a containerized exchange environment is organized. Watching the launcher start components in order shows how the pieces depend on each other.
How Docker Fits Into a Local Exchange Setup
Docker packages software into containers, which are isolated units that include an application and everything it needs to run. Each container behaves the same way on any machine that supports Docker, which reduces the 'it works on my computer' problem.
For a multi-part system, containers make it easier to start and stop related services together. XUD Launcher relies on this model, so Docker must be installed and running before the launcher can do anything useful.
Containers also use disk space and memory, so a local setup can be heavier than it first appears. Check your resources before starting several branches at once.
Why Release Candidates and Branches Matter
A branch is a separate line of development in a project's source code. Teams use branches to build features without disturbing the main line, and XUD Launcher is designed to run any of them.
A release candidate, such as v2.0.0-rc.4, is a build offered for final testing before an official release. It is meant to reveal problems, not to serve as a long-term production choice.
Because the project has not seen code changes since 2021, a release candidate may remain the newest tagged version for a long time. Judge carefully whether it fits your needs.
Key features
Thin wrapper around xud-docker
Runs any xud-docker branch
Foundation for GUI and CLI apps
Written in Go and open source
How to install XUD Launcher on Windows
- 1
Get the program from the official source
Open the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/exchangeunion/xud-launcher and download only from the official website or that repository. Look for the v2.0.0-rc.4 entry or the newest tag listed there. Windows support is listed as likely rather than confirmed, so check the release assets for a Windows build before you start.
- 2
Verify the file before running it
Compare the file's SHA-256 checksum with the value published on the release page. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash with the -Algorithm SHA256 option on the downloaded file. If the values do not match exactly, delete the file and do not run it.
-
Prepare Docker and run the launcher
Install Docker, start it, and confirm that it is running. Then open a terminal in the folder that contains the launcher and start it, choosing the xud-docker branch you want to run. Keep the terminal open while the containers start.
System requirements
- Windows, with a launcher build that matches your system
- Docker installed and running, since the launcher starts xud-docker containers
How to use XUD Launcher
Using XUD Launcher is mostly a matter of preparing Docker and choosing the right branch. Follow the steps below in order, and read the output carefully at each stage.
- Start Docker and confirm that the engine is running.
- Open a terminal in the folder that contains the verified launcher file.
- Run the launcher and select the xud-docker branch you want to test.
- Wait for the containers to start, and watch the terminal for error messages.
- When you finish, stop the containers through Docker Desktop or your command-line tools, so they do not keep using memory.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with source code available on GitHub
- Can run any xud-docker branch from version 2 onward
- Small, focused codebase written in Go
- Serves as a foundation for the project's GUI and CLI applications
- No code updates since January 2021
- The latest version is a release candidate, not a final release
- Windows support is listed as likely rather than confirmed
- No charts, indicators or order entry for trading
Is XUD Launcher safe?
XUD Launcher has had no code updates since January 2021, so it may not keep pace with Docker or with changes in the xud-docker project. Treat it as a legacy tool and check the latest version on the official website before installing.
Download only from the official GitHub repository or its Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum before running the file. Never enter a seed phrase, private key or wallet password on a third-party website, including sites that claim to offer an updated build. Run the launcher on a machine where you can review its activity, and avoid giving it more access than its task requires.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/exchangeunion/xud-launcher. 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
XUD Launcher is not a trading terminal in the way the programs below are. It does not display price charts, indicators or an order book, so it cannot replace a screen for watching markets.
TradingView Desktop focuses on charts, indicators and alerts. CScalp and Bookmap are built around fast order entry and market depth views, while ATAS concentrates on volume analysis. Quantower and MetaTrader 5 aim to connect several brokers or markets from one interface.
If you want a launcher for a local exchange setup, XUD Launcher is the more relevant choice. If you want to watch and trade markets, pick one of the terminals above instead.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v2.0.0-rc.4
- Last update
- 29 Jan 2021
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/exchangeunion/xud-launcher
Frequently asked questions
XUD Launcher is open source, so its code can be reviewed on GitHub. Its last code update was in January 2021, which is a reason for caution. Download it only from the official repository and verify the SHA-256 checksum before running it.
The project has had no code updates since January 2021, and the latest tagged version is v2.0.0-rc.4. Expect limited support and check the GitHub repository for any newer activity before relying on it for important work.
No. XUD Launcher is a launcher for xud-docker, not a charting or order-entry program. If you need charts, indicators or alerts, look at dedicated terminals such as TradingView Desktop.
xud-docker is a Docker-based setup that starts the containers needed to run the XUD exchange environment. XUD Launcher wraps it, so you can pick a branch and start the setup with fewer manual steps.
Yes. The launcher works by starting xud-docker containers, so Docker must be installed and running on your Windows machine before you start. Without Docker, the launcher has nothing to run.
XUD Launcher serves a narrow purpose, so alternatives depend on your goal. For charting, TradingView Desktop is a common choice. For order flow and market depth, Bookmap, CScalp and ATAS are often compared, depending on the markets you follow.
Verdict
XUD Launcher suits developers and advanced users who want to run xud-docker branches on Windows through Docker. It is free, open source and small enough to read. Its last code update in January 2021 and its release-candidate status mean it is best used for testing and learning. If you want charts or trading tools, choose a dedicated terminal from the alternatives listed on this page.