cardano-wallet

Wallet server and CLI for managing Cardano wallets

TLDR

Start the wallet server

$ cardano-wallet serve --port [8090] --node-socket [/path/to/node.socket] --database [/path/to/wallet-db] --mainnet

Create a wallet from recovery phrase

$ cardano-wallet wallet create from-recovery-phrase [wallet_name]

List all wallets

$ cardano-wallet wallet list

Get wallet balance

$ cardano-wallet wallet get --id [wallet_id]

Generate a receiving address

$ cardano-wallet address list --id [wallet_id]

Create a transaction

$ cardano-wallet transaction create --id [wallet_id] --payment [addr1...@amount]

Submit a transaction

$ cardano-wallet transaction submit --id [wallet_id] --transaction [tx_binary]

SYNOPSIS

cardano-wallet command [options]

cardano-wallet is a HTTP server and CLI for managing Cardano wallets. It provides hierarchical deterministic (HD) wallet functionality with a RESTful API, enabling applications to create wallets, manage addresses, and submit transactions.
The wallet server connects to a cardano-node to query blockchain state and submit transactions. It maintains a local database of wallet state, tracking UTxOs and transaction history. The server supports multiple wallets and provides coin selection for transaction building.
Wallets are restored from 15 or 24-word recovery phrases following BIP39/CIP11 standards. The CLI provides both interactive commands and script-friendly output formats.

PARAMETERS

serve

Start the wallet HTTP server.

wallet create

Create a new wallet.

wallet list

List all wallets.

wallet get

Get wallet details.

wallet delete

Delete a wallet.

address list

List wallet addresses.

transaction create

Build a transaction.

transaction submit

Submit a signed transaction.

transaction list

List wallet transactions.

stake-pool list

List available stake pools.

--port port

HTTP server port.

--node-socket path

Path to node socket.

--database path

Wallet database directory.

--mainnet

Connect to mainnet.

--testnet magic

Connect to testnet.

--id walletid_

Wallet identifier.

CAVEATS

Requires a synced cardano-node. Database must be persisted for wallet recovery. Recovery phrase must be kept secure and offline. The server exposes sensitive operations, so should be properly secured. Syncing wallet state for restored wallets can take time.

HISTORY

cardano-wallet was developed by Input Output Global (IOG) as the official wallet backend for Cardano. It was introduced during the Shelley era in 2020 to provide a standard wallet implementation. The tool supports the evolving Cardano protocol including staking, native tokens, and smart contract interactions.