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Decrediton Setup Guide

Last updated for Decrediton v1.6.3.

Decrediton is a graphical user interface for dcrwallet. When this application launches, it automatically starts its own instance of the command line tools dcrd and dcrwallet in the background.

Blockchain Download

Without SPV enabled, Decrediton needs to download a full copy of the Decred blockchain before it can be used. This means that a large download must be completed and a large amount of storage space must be available on the device where Decrediton is installed. You can check the current size of all serialized blocks via dcrdata charts. The total size of Decrediton will be bigger, since additional wallet data is stored on your device.

Download and Install

The latest version of Decrediton can be downloaded from https://decred.org/wallets/.

Security Tip

We recommend you also verify that your download hash matches the hash in the Decred releases manifest. For detailed instructions, read about Verifying Binaries.

You will need to visit the Release Binaries page to download the manifest and manifest signature:

decrediton-v1.6.3-manifest.txt

decrediton-v1.6.3-manifest.txt.asc

  1. Download the Windows installer decrediton-v1.6.3.exe.

  2. Double click the installer and follow the instructions.

  3. The installer adds a shortcut to Decrediton on your desktop.

  1. Download the decrediton-v1.6.3.dmg file.

  2. Double click the decrediton-v1.6.3.dmg file to mount the disk image.

  3. Drag the decrediton.app file into the link to your Applications folder within the disk image.

  1. Download the decrediton-v1.6.3.tar.gz file.

  2. Navigate to the download location and extract decrediton-v1.6.3.tar.gz.

  3. The extracted files include an executable named decrediton.

  4. Open a terminal in the extracted folder and run the command chmod u+x decrediton.

  5. Decrediton can then be launched from the terminal using the command ./decrediton.

Open and Set Up Decrediton

Opening Decrediton for the first time will display the following screen:

Decrediton startup screen

Select your desired language and press Continue. You will then be offered various privacy options which allow you to restrict which external services Decrediton will contact. The “Standard” option is recommended for most users, as this will enable all of the features in Decrediton and provide the best user experience.

Decrediton privacy options

A screen will be displayed which allows you to enable SPV mode if desired.

Decrediton SPV options

After making your choice, a short presentation explaining Decred blockchain, wallet, keys, staking/governance, and safety tips is shown. Please read these slides carefully if you are new to Decred.

The following screen should be displayed next.

Decrediton blockchain download screen

A large progress bar on this screen shows the progress of the blockchain download. If you chose to enable SPV mode, this bar will be filled immediately because downloading the blockchain is not required.

Pausing the download

If you close Decrediton or shut down your PC while the download is in progress, the download will be paused and progress will not be lost. It will be resumed from the same point next time Decrediton is started.

This means you can download the blockchain in multiple sessions if required.

When the download has completed you can set up your wallet. You have two options:

  1. Create a New Wallet - Press this button if this is your first time using Decred.

  2. Restore Existing Wallet - Press this button if you already have a wallet seed you would like to use.

Create a New Wallet

As Decrediton allows you to manage multiple wallets on one PC, you must give a name to your wallet so it can be identified. Enter a name and press the Continue button.

Critical Information

During the creation process for your wallet, you will be given a sequence of 33 words known as a seed phrase. This seed phrase is essentially the private key for your wallet. You will be able to use this seed phrase to restore your private keys, transaction history, and balances using any Decred wallet on any computer.

This ultimately means that anyone who knows your seed can use it to restore your private keys, transaction history, and balances to a Decred wallet on their computer without your knowledge. For this reason, it is of utmost importance to keep your seed phrase safe. Treat this seed the same way you would treat a physical key to a safe. If you lose your seed phrase, you permanently lose access to your wallet and all funds within it. It cannot be recovered by anyone, including the Decred developers. It is recommended you write it down on paper and store that somewhere secure. If you decide to keep it on your computer, it would be best to keep it in an encrypted document (do not forget the password) in case the file or your computer is stolen.

Every seed phrase is also associated with a 64 character seed hex. The seed hex functions the same way as the seed phrase, so it is also important to keep your seed hex secure.

DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, GIVE YOUR SEED OR THE ASSOCIATED HEX KEY TO ANYONE! NOT EVEN DECRED DEVELOPERS!

The 33 word seed for your new wallet is displayed on the screen (obscured in the below image). Record the seed and store it somewhere safe.

Decrediton wallet seed screen

Press Continue and re-enter the missing words from your seed on the next screen. This is to confirm you have recorded your seed correctly.

Decrediton seed entry screen

Create a passphrase for your wallet. This passphrase will be used to unlock your wallet when creating transactions.

Press Create Wallet and your wallet setup is complete. You will be taken back to the blockchain download progress bar. Once the download has been completed, Decrediton will open the Overview page for your new wallet and you will be able to begin sending and receiving Decred.

Restore Existing Wallet

  1. Open Decrediton and click on Restore Existing Wallet. If Decrediton is open and you have another wallet open, you’ll need to first go to Settings and click Close Wallet.

    Decrediton close wallet

  2. Name your wallet. As Decrediton allows you to manage multiple wallets on one PC, you must give a name to your wallet so it can be identified.

  3. Advanced users can use the “Watch only” option and enter a public key to configure a watch only wallet.

  4. Enter your seed into the Confirm Seed text box.

  5. Create a private passphrase for your wallet.

  6. Select Create Wallet. Wait for the blockchain to be downloaded.

  7. The blockchain will now be scanned for any transactions belonging to this wallet.