Getting started
Overview
Start here: what Phoenix Wallet is, how the documentation is organised and where to go next.
Phoenix Wallet is a decentralized Bitcoin wallet for desktop with native Lightning Network support. It runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, holds bitcoin (BTC) only, and keeps your keys on your own machine.
How this documentation is organised
- Getting started — download the wallet, create one, or restore an existing one.
- Installation — platform notes for Windows, macOS and Linux.
- Using Phoenix — receiving, sending, Lightning and on-chain payments, history.
- Lightning — channels, liquidity, splicing and routing explained.
- Security — self-custody, recovery, backups, safe downloads and release verification.
- Network — Bitcoin, the Lightning Network and how fees work.
- Troubleshooting — installation, payments, channels, recovery and connectivity.
Using these guides
These guides cover setup, payments and wallet security. Wallet creation, restoration and signing all happen inside the desktop application — never in a browser.