Inside Bitcoin
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Inside Bitcoin
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The code behind the network, with room to understand it.
Release published 2026-10-28 · Snapshot fetched 2026-11-01. Latest stable release at fetch time; development branches and Git history are excluded. Only the selected code window and visible folders load here.
1This directory contains the source code for the Bitcoin Core graphical user interface (GUI). It uses the [Qt](https://www1.qt.io/developers/) cross-platform framework.3The current precise version for Qt is specified in [qt_details.mk](/depends/packages/qt_details.mk).5## Compile and run7See build instructions: [Unix](/doc/build-unix.md), [macOS](/doc/build-osx.md), [Windows](/doc/build-windows-msvc.md), [FreeBSD](/doc/build-freebsd.md), [NetBSD](/doc/build-netbsd.md), [OpenBSD](/doc/build-openbsd.md)9When following your systems build instructions, make sure to install the `Qt` dependencies.11To run:13```sh14./build/bin/bitcoin-qt15```17## Files and Directories19#### forms/21- A directory that contains [Designer UI](https://doc.qt.io/qt-5.9/designer-using-a-ui-file.html) files. These files specify the characteristics of form elements in XML. Qt UI files can be edited with [Qt Creator](#using-qt-creator-as-ide) or using any text editor.23#### locale/25- Contains translations. They are periodically updated and an effort is made to support as many languages as possible. The process of contributing translations is described in [doc/translation_process.md](/doc/translation_process.md).27#### res/29- Contains graphical resources used to enhance the UI experience.31#### test/33- Functional tests used to ensure proper functionality of the GUI. Significant changes to the GUI code normally require new or updated tests.35#### bitcoingui.(h/cpp)37- Represents the main window of the Bitcoin UI.39#### \*model.(h/cpp)41- The model. When it has a corresponding controller, it generally inherits from [QAbstractTableModel](https://doc.qt.io/qt-5/qabstracttablemodel.html). Models that are used by controllers as helpers inherit from other Qt classes like [QValidator](https://doc.qt.io/qt-5/qvalidator.html).42- ClientModel is used by the main application `bitcoingui` and several models like `peertablemodel`.44#### \*page.(h/cpp)46- A controller. `:NAMEpage.cpp` generally includes `:NAMEmodel.h` and `forms/:NAME.page.ui` with a similar `:NAME`.48#### \*dialog.(h/cpp)50- Various dialogs, e.g. to open a URL. Inherit from [QDialog](https://doc.qt.io/qt-5/qdialog.html).52#### paymentserver.(h/cpp)54- (Deprecated) Used to process BIP21 payment URI requests. Also handles URI-based application switching (e.g. when following a bitcoin:... link from a browser).56#### walletview.(h/cpp)58- Represents the view to a single wallet.60#### Other .h/cpp files62* UI elements like BitcoinAmountField, which inherit from QWidget.63* `bitcoinstrings.cpp`: automatically generated64* `bitcoinunits.(h/cpp)`: BTC / mBTC / etc. handling65* `callback.h`66* `guiconstants.h`: UI colors, app name, etc.67* `guiutil.h`: several helper functions68* `macdockiconhandler.(h/mm)`: macOS dock icon handler69* `macnotificationhandler.(h/mm)`: display notifications in macOS71## Contribute73See [CONTRIBUTING.md](/CONTRIBUTING.md) for general guidelines.75**Note:** Do not change `local/bitcoin_en.ts`. It is updated [automatically](/doc/translation_process.md#writing-code-with-translations).77## Using Qt Creator as an IDE79[Qt Creator](https://www.qt.io/product/development-tools) is a powerful tool which packages a UI designer tool (Qt Designer) and a C++ IDE into one application. This is especially useful if you want to change the UI layout.81#### Download Qt Creator83On Unix and macOS, Qt Creator can be installed through your package manager. Alternatively, you can download a binary from the [Qt Website](https://www.qt.io/download/).85**Note:** If installing from a binary grabbed from the Qt Website: During the installation process, uncheck everything except for `Qt Creator`.87##### macOS89```sh90brew install qt-creator91```93##### Ubuntu & Debian95```sh96sudo apt-get install qtcreator97```99#### Setup Qt Creator1011. Make sure you've installed all dependencies specified in your systems build instructions1022. Follow the compile instructions for your system, adding the `-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug` build flag1033. Start Qt Creator. At the start page, do: `New` -> `Import Project` -> `Import Existing Project`1044. Enter `bitcoin-qt` as the Project Name and enter the absolute path to `src/qt` as Location1055. Check over the file selection, you may need to select the `forms` directory (necessary if you intend to edit *.ui files)1066. Confirm the `Summary` page1077. In the `Projects` tab, select `Manage Kits...`109**macOS**110- Under `Kits`: select the default "Desktop" kit111- Under `Compilers`: select `"Clang (x86 64bit in /usr/bin)"`112- Under `Debuggers`: select `"LLDB"` as debugger (you might need to set the path to your LLDB installation)114**Ubuntu & Debian**116Note: Some of these options may already be set118- Under `Kits`: select the default "Desktop" kit119- Under `Compilers`: select `"GCC (x86 64bit in /usr/bin)"`120- Under `Debuggers`: select `"GDB"` as debugger1228. While in the `Projects` tab, ensure that you have the `bitcoin-qt` executable specified under `Run`123- If the executable is not specified: click `"Choose..."`, navigate to `build/bin`, and select `bitcoin-qt`1249. You're all set! Start developing, building, and debugging the Bitcoin Core GUI
Independent explanations by MyBitcoinExplorer. Not affiliated with or endorsed by Bitcoin Core. Guides are educational and do not replace the source or its tests.
Bitcoin Core source © its contributors, distributed under the MIT license. Original notices and bundled third-party licenses are retained in the source tree.