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Learning Bitcoin from the Command Line

Build a strong foundation in Bitcoin development by working directly with Bitcoin Core through the CLI.

Duration 8 weeks
Format Weekly sessions + self-study
Level Beginner to Intermediate
Cost Free

About This Course

This cohort-based workshop works through Blockchain Commons' open-source Learning Bitcoin from the Command Line curriculum. You'll gain hands-on experience interacting with Bitcoin Core using bitcoin-cli and a local node — from basic transactions to advanced scripting.

Working directly with the command line is the best way to understand how Bitcoin actually works under the hood. No GUIs, no abstractions — just you and the protocol.

What You'll Learn

  • Set up and configure Bitcoin Core on testnet/signet
  • Create, sign, and broadcast transactions via CLI
  • Build multi-signature wallets and PSBTs
  • Write and understand Bitcoin Script
  • Implement timelocks and conditional spending
  • Interact with the Lightning Network
  • Use Bitcoin Core's JSON-RPC interface
  • Debug transactions and trace UTXOs

Prerequisites

  • Basic understanding of what Bitcoin is (no deep technical knowledge required)
  • Comfortable using a Unix/Linux terminal (cd, ls, nano/vim basics)
  • A computer where you can install Bitcoin Core (macOS, Linux, or WSL on Windows)
  • 2-4 hours per week for sessions and self-study

Familiarity with Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas Antonopoulos is helpful but not required. We'll cover the essentials as we go.

Curriculum

Week 1 Chapters 1-3

Introduction & Setup

  • Bitcoin Core introduction
  • Setting up your node on VPS/local
  • Understanding Bitcoin setup & configuration
Week 2 Chapters 4-5

Transactions Fundamentals

  • Sending Bitcoin transactions
  • Controlling transaction features
  • Fee management & RBF
Week 3 Chapters 6-7

Multisig & PSBTs

  • Multi-signature transactions
  • Partially Signed Bitcoin Transactions
  • Collaborative transaction signing
Week 4 Chapters 8-9

Advanced Transactions

  • Advanced transaction types
  • Introduction to Bitcoin Script
  • Script structure & opcodes
Week 5 Chapters 10-11

P2SH & Timelocks

  • Pay-to-Script-Hash transactions
  • Timelock functions (CLTV, CSV)
  • Time-based spending conditions
Week 6 Chapters 12-13

Script Design

  • Expanding Bitcoin scripts
  • Designing custom scripts
  • Real-world script applications
Week 7 Chapters 14-16

Lightning & Beyond

  • Lightning Network basics
  • Setting up LND/c-lightning
  • Opening channels & payments
Week 8 Review + 17-20

Wrap-up & Next Steps

  • Programming with RPC
  • Advanced topics overview
  • Contributing to Bitcoin OSS

Curriculum based on Blockchain Commons' LBTCL. Chapters 17-20 cover advanced topics for independent exploration after the cohort.

How It Works

Weekly Sessions

90-minute live sessions each week covering that week's material, with Q&A and group discussion.

Self-Study

Read assigned chapters and complete hands-on exercises on your own schedule before each session.

Peer Learning

Work with a study partner, prepare discussion questions, and learn from each other's questions.

Discord Community

Get help between sessions, share progress, and connect with other African Bitcoin developers.

Register

Registration is currently closed.

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