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Neuron Wallet Documentation

A complete, developer-grade guide to installing, securing and operating Neuron Wallet on the Nervos Network — from your first CKB address to running your own full node.

Version 0.117.xNervos CKB MainnetOpen Source · MIT
01

Introduction

Neuron Wallet is the reference desktop wallet for the Nervos Network (CKB). It is a fully open-source, self-custody client that lets you hold CKB, deposit into the Nervos DAO, manage sUDT / xUDT tokens and Spore digital objects, and optionally run against your own CKB full node.

This documentation covers installation, wallet creation, backups, sending and receiving CKB, Nervos DAO deposits and withdrawals, custom token support, node configuration, and hardware wallet integration.

  • Platforms: Windows 10+, macOS 11+, Linux (AppImage / deb).
  • Networks: CKB Mainnet (Mirana), Testnet (Pudge), and custom RPC.
  • Signing: local, encrypted keystore or external Ledger device.
  • License: MIT — audit, fork, and build from source at any time.
Note:Neuron Wallet never leaves your device. No accounts, no telemetry by default, no third-party custody.
02

Installation

Download the signed installer for your operating system from the Download section and verify its integrity before launching.

  1. 1Go to the Download page and choose Windows, macOS or Linux.
  2. 2Verify the SHA-256 checksum published next to each build.
  3. 3(Optional) Verify the PGP signature against the Neuron release key.
  4. 4Install and launch Neuron Wallet.
bash// neuron
# macOS / Linux — verify checksum
shasum -a 256 Neuron-*.dmg
shasum -a 256 Neuron-*.AppImage

# Windows (PowerShell)
Get-FileHash .\Neuron-Setup-*.exe -Algorithm SHA256
Warning:Only download Neuron Wallet from the official Download page. Never trust installers shared via DMs, email or social media.
03

Create or Import a Wallet

On first launch Neuron generates a BIP39 mnemonic locally. You can also import an existing seed or Ledger device.

  1. 1Click Create Wallet → Neuron generates a 12 or 24-word mnemonic.
  2. 2Write the phrase on paper or steel — do not screenshot or paste into any online form.
  3. 3Confirm the phrase by re-typing selected words.
  4. 4Set a strong local password that encrypts the keystore file on disk.

To import: choose Import Wallet → paste the mnemonic, or select a keystore JSON. Neuron uses the CKB derivation path m/44'/309'/0' by default.

text// neuron
Derivation path (CKB):  m/44'/309'/0'/0/0
Address format:         ckb1qzda0cr08m85hc8jlnfp3zer7... (bech32m, Full lock)
04

Backup & Recovery

Your mnemonic is the only backup of your funds. Anyone with the phrase controls the wallet — Neuron support will never ask for it.

  • Store the seed offline on paper or a steel backup plate.
  • Keep at least two geographically separated copies.
  • Never store the seed in cloud notes, email, chat or password managers connected to the internet.
  • The encrypted keystore alone is not a backup — losing the password is losing the funds.
Warning:If someone asks for your 12/24 words to “verify” or “sync” your wallet, it is a scam. Close the chat.
05

Send & Receive CKB

CKB uses a Cell model: each output is a UTXO-style Cell locked by a lock script. Neuron abstracts this into a familiar send / receive UI.

  1. 1Open Receive → copy your Full address (starts with ckb1...). Share it with the sender.
  2. 2For sends: open Send → paste the destination address → enter amount → review fee.
  3. 3Confirm with your local password (or approve on your Ledger).
  4. 4Track the transaction on the Nervos Explorer via the History tab.
Note:The minimum CKB required per Cell is 61 CKB (occupied capacity for the Secp256k1 default lock). Sends smaller than this need to leave a valid change Cell.
text// neuron
Fee rate:     1,000 shannons / kB (default)
Confirmation: ~1 block (~10 s), safe after 24 epochs for DAO ops
06

Nervos DAO

The Nervos DAO is a native smart contract that lets CKB holders earn the secondary issuance and hedge inflation. Neuron ships a first-class DAO interface.

  1. 1Open the Nervos DAO tab and click Deposit.
  2. 2Enter the amount (minimum 102 CKB per deposit Cell) and confirm.
  3. 3To withdraw, request withdrawal from the deposit — this starts the lock cycle.
  4. 4After the lock period elapses (multiples of 180 epochs, ~30 days), unlock and claim the compensation.
  • Deposits are non-custodial — funds never leave your address.
  • Requesting withdrawal earlier does not lose the accrued yield, it only starts the countdown.
  • You can hold multiple concurrent deposits — each has its own lock cycle.
Note:The DAO cycle length is fixed by protocol at 180 epochs. Neuron shows the exact unlock time for every deposit.
07

sUDT, xUDT & Spore Assets

Neuron supports user-defined tokens (sUDT / xUDT) and Spore digital objects (DOBs) natively — no plugins required.

  • sUDT — Simple User Defined Token, the CKB equivalent of ERC-20.
  • xUDT — Extended UDT with extensions such as rebase and regulated transfer.
  • Spore — on-chain digital objects (art, collectibles, data) stored fully in Cells.
  1. 1Open Assets → Add token → paste the type script args or select from a known list.
  2. 2The token appears in your portfolio with its balance and decimals.
  3. 3Send tokens the same way as CKB; Neuron automatically attaches the required capacity Cell.
08

Node & Network Settings

Neuron bundles a CKB full node. You can also point it at a remote RPC or run your own node externally for maximum privacy.

  • Internal node — Neuron manages ckb + ckb-indexer processes for you.
  • External RPC — connect to your own node via http(s)://host:8114.
  • Testnet (Pudge) — switch networks from Settings → Network without losing your keys.
toml// neuron
# ckb.toml (excerpt)
[rpc]
listen_address = "127.0.0.1:8114"

[network]
listen_addresses = ["/ip4/0.0.0.0/tcp/8115"]
max_peers = 125
Note:Running your own node removes the need to trust any third-party RPC and gives you full block-level privacy.
09

Hardware Wallet (Ledger)

Neuron integrates with Ledger via the official Nervos CKB app. Keys stay on the device; Neuron only prepares and broadcasts transactions.

  1. 1Install the Nervos (CKB) app on your Ledger via Ledger Live.
  2. 2Connect the device via USB and unlock it.
  3. 3In Neuron: Add Wallet → Import from Ledger → select the account.
  4. 4Every send and DAO action requires physical confirmation on the device screen.
Warning:Always verify the address and amount shown on the Ledger screen — the computer display is never authoritative.
10

Security Best Practices

Self-custody is only as strong as your operational security. A few habits eliminate the vast majority of realistic threats.

  • Use a dedicated machine or a fresh OS install for large holdings.
  • Verify every installer checksum and, when possible, PGP signature.
  • Prefer a Ledger for any address holding non-trivial value.
  • Bookmark the official Neuron site — never reach it through search ads.
  • Enable full-disk encryption on the machine running Neuron.
11

Troubleshooting

Common issues and how to resolve them without risking your keys.

  • Sync is stuck — check disk space, then restart Neuron; the node resumes from the last checkpoint.
  • Balance shows 0 after import — confirm the correct derivation path and that the node is fully synced.
  • Ledger not detected — close Ledger Live, unlock the device, reopen the CKB app.
  • Transaction stuck as pending — increase the fee rate and rebroadcast from the History tab.

For anything else, open an issue on the Neuron GitHub repository — never share your seed in a support channel.

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