Zelhash Reference Miner is a free, open-source command-line program for mining Equihash and ZelHash on Windows PCs with graphics cards. It suits miners who want a plain reference implementation they can read, modify and run without a graphical interface. The program is written in C and C++ and supports NVIDIA cards through CUDA and AMD cards through OpenCL.
Before you start, note that the project has had no code updates since June 15, 2019, and its latest version is 1.0.0. Treat it as an unmaintained tool that may not keep pace with current pools or hardware. The rest of this page covers how the miner is launched, what to check before running Zelhash Reference Miner for Windows, and how it compares with other GPU miners in the catalog.
What Is a Reference Miner and Why It Matters
A reference miner is a program written to show how a mining algorithm works in code, rather than to be the most polished tool available. Its value lies in transparency. Anyone can open the source code, see how work is requested from a server, and check how GPU devices are addressed.
For Zelhash Reference Miner, that means the program is most useful as a learning and testing tool. A developer studying Equihash-style proof-of-work can compare the code against their own implementation. A hobbyist can confirm how command-line arguments map to actual behavior before committing hardware time.
Reference code is usually built for clarity rather than for dashboards or tuning menus. Tasks such as monitoring temperatures typically happen in separate utilities.
Who Zelhash Reference Miner Is For
This program fits a narrow group of users. The first is someone who already knows how to run command-line tools and wants to point a GPU at an Equihash or ZelHash pool without a graphical wrapper. The second is a developer or researcher who wants readable, open-source code to study.
It is a poor match for someone who wants a point-and-click setup, a built-in dashboard or automatic updates. Since there have been no code updates after 2019, it is also less suitable for anyone who needs current compatibility with newer drivers or pool protocols.
A practical test: if you can explain what a server address, a username and a device list are, you can probably use this program. If not, learn those terms first, because a wrong value in any of these fields will stop the miner from connecting.
How Equihash Mining Works in Practice
Equihash is a proof-of-work algorithm designed to be memory-intensive, which is why graphics cards are a common choice for it. A GPU runs many attempts in parallel, and the rate at which it completes them is called its hashrate. Hashrate is the most common way to compare hardware, but it says nothing about electricity cost or whether a given coin is worth mining.
Most miners do not work alone. They connect to a pool server, receive work and submit results. The user parameter identifies who gets credited, and it can be a wallet address or an account name, depending on what the pool expects. Some pools also require a password, which this program can pass along when needed.
Understanding this flow helps with troubleshooting. If the connection fails, check the server address and port first. If the device list is wrong, the program may not see the GPUs you expect.
Key features
Equihash and ZelHash support
NVIDIA and AMD hardware
Windows and Linux builds
Supported coins
Zelhash Reference Miner is built around the Equihash and ZelHash algorithms. On the hardware side, it supports NVIDIA graphics cards through CUDA and AMD graphics cards through OpenCL, so both major GPU brands are covered. Because its focus is these two algorithms, it is best suited to pools and networks that use them rather than to coins with other proof-of-work methods.
How to install Zelhash Reference Miner on Windows
- 1
Get the program from an official source
Download the Windows build only from the project's official GitHub repository at github.com/runonflux/zelhash-reference-miner, or from its Releases page. Avoid mirror sites and repackaged copies, even if they look identical.
- 2
Verify the file
Compute the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file and compare it with the value published with the release, if one is provided. If no checksum or signature is available, review the source code or be especially cautious before running the executable.
- 3
Place the files in a folder
Extract the archive, if you downloaded one, into a dedicated folder such as one on your secondary drive. Keep the executable and its files together, and choose a location you can write to without administrator rights.
-
Install current GPU drivers
Install up-to-date drivers for your graphics card from NVIDIA or AMD. The miner depends on CUDA for NVIDIA cards and OpenCL for AMD cards, so outdated drivers are a common reason for startup errors.
System requirements
- Windows operating system with the Windows build provided by the project
- NVIDIA graphics card with CUDA support, or AMD graphics card with OpenCL support
- Graphics drivers that expose CUDA or OpenCL to applications
How to use Zelhash Reference Miner
Launch the miner from a Command Prompt opened in the program folder. The basic command takes three main arguments: the pool server, your username or wallet address, and the GPUs to use. Replace every placeholder with your own values before pressing Enter.
- Open Command Prompt and change to the folder that contains zelhash-opencl-miner.exe.
- Replace <hostName>:<portNumber> with the server address and port your pool provides.
- Replace <walletAddr or userName> with the wallet address or account name your pool expects.
- Replace <deviceList> with the GPUs you want to use, written in the format the program expects.
- If the pool requires a password, pass it to the miner as the program expects, so the pool can authenticate you.
- Press Enter and watch the output for connection messages before leaving the rig running unattended.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, so the code can be read and reviewed
- Supports both NVIDIA (CUDA) and AMD (OpenCL) graphics cards
- Available for Windows and Linux with the same command-line arguments
- Focused scope on Equihash and ZelHash
- Few moving parts, which makes the setup easy to understand
- No code updates since June 2019
- Command-line only, with no built-in dashboard
- Algorithm support limited to Equihash and ZelHash
- Requires manual entry of server, user and device parameters
- Less suitable for users who need automatic updates or active support
Is Zelhash Reference Miner safe?
Mining software deserves careful handling, and this program is no exception. The project has had no code updates since 2019, so it has not received fixes for newer drivers or security issues in that time. Download only from the official source: the project's GitHub repository or its Releases page. Verify the SHA-256 checksum of the file before running it and compare it with the value published with the release. Antivirus tools often flag mining software, sometimes as a false positive. Do not turn protection off entirely. Instead, verify the checksum, review the code if you can, and keep the program out of sensitive system folders. Never enter a seed phrase into this miner or any website; it only needs your public wallet address or account name for the user option.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/runonflux/zelhash-reference-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
Zelhash Reference Miner is narrower than most options in this catalog. GMiner and Rigel are GPU miners, with Rigel focused on NVIDIA cards, while WildRig Multi concentrates on rarer algorithms. XMRig covers RandomX, KawPow and CryptoNight on CPUs and GPUs, so it serves a different range of coins. The advantage of this program is its reference-style, open-source code and its tight focus on Equihash and ZelHash. Its main drawback is the 2019 update date. NBMiner and T-Rex Miner are also marked as discontinued, and PhoenixMiner has no official website, which carries a high risk of counterfeit builds. Chia Blockchain is not a miner at all, so it serves a different purpose.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- 1.0.0
- Last update
- 15 Jun 2019
- Windows support
- Yes (Windows build or installer)
- Source code
- github.com/runonflux/zelhash-reference-miner
Frequently asked questions
Safety depends on where the file comes from and whether you verify it. Get the program from the project's GitHub repository, check the SHA-256 checksum, and scan it as you would any mining tool. The code is open source, which allows inspection, but the project has not been updated since 2019, so extra caution is wise. Never enter a seed phrase into a mining program.
Yes. The project provides a Windows build that runs as zelhash-opencl-miner.exe from the command line. It supports NVIDIA cards through CUDA and AMD cards through OpenCL. You launch it from Command Prompt with the server, user and device parameters, and the same arguments work as on Linux.
It supports Equihash and ZelHash, which are the two algorithms named for this program. Check that your pool uses one of them before connecting. Other algorithms fall outside its stated scope, so a different miner from this catalog is the better choice for coins that use other proof-of-work methods.
Open Command Prompt in the program folder and run the executable with three main arguments: the pool server as host and port, your wallet address or username, and the device list. Replace each placeholder with your own values. Watch the console output for connection messages before you leave the rig unattended.
No. The last code update was on June 15, 2019, and the latest version is 1.0.0. That makes it an unmaintained project, so it may not work well with newer drivers or pool changes. Compare it with the other miners in this catalog before deciding, and weigh how much you value an actively supported tool.
Yes. Most setups connect to a pool server using its host name and port, with your wallet address or account name as the user. If the pool requires a password, the miner can pass it along. Confirm the exact server address and login format with your pool's own documentation before starting.
No. The ready-made Windows build is a program you run directly from the command line. Development tools needed to compile the source code, such as compilers and build environments, are only relevant if you want to modify or rebuild the program yourself. Everyday use of the executable does not require them.
Verdict
Zelhash Reference Miner is a free, open-source option for people who want a simple, readable reference implementation of Equihash and ZelHash mining on Windows. It fits experienced command-line users, developers studying the algorithm, and anyone comfortable with manual configuration. It is a weaker choice for beginners or for anyone who needs active maintenance, because the last code update came in 2019. Check the latest version on the official website before you decide, and verify every download.