# Core Lightning

> Lightning Network node implementation

**Wikidata**: [Q122818709](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q122818709)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/core-lightning

## Summary
Core Lightning (CLN) is a free and open-source implementation of a Lightning Network node, designed to enable fast, scalable Bitcoin transactions. It is distributed under the MIT License and runs on Linux and macOS operating systems.

## Key Facts
- Core Lightning is classified as free software, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it and modified versions.
- It is an implementation of the Lightning Network, a second-layer protocol for Bitcoin that enables instant payments.
- The software is licensed under the MIT License, a permissive free software license.
- Core Lightning is compatible with Linux (inception: 1991-09-17) and macOS (inception: 2001-03-24) operating systems.
- The source code repository is hosted on GitHub at [https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning).
- Core Lightning has a dedicated tag on Bitcoin Stack Exchange: [https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/tags/core-lightning](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/tags/core-lightning).
- The software has undergone numerous stable version releases, with the latest being version 25.12, released on 2025-12-04.
- Core Lightning is also known by the aliases CLN and c-lightning.

## FAQs
**What is Core Lightning?**
Core Lightning is a free and open-source implementation of a Lightning Network node, designed to facilitate fast and scalable Bitcoin transactions.

**What operating systems does Core Lightning support?**
Core Lightning is compatible with Linux and macOS operating systems.

**What license is Core Lightning distributed under?**
Core Lightning is distributed under the MIT License, which is a permissive free software license.

**Where can I find the source code for Core Lightning?**
The source code for Core Lightning is hosted on GitHub at [https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning).

**What is the latest stable version of Core Lightning?**
The latest stable version of Core Lightning is 25.12, released on 2025-12-04.

**What are the aliases for Core Lightning?**
Core Lightning is also known by the aliases CLN and c-lightning.

## Why It Matters
Core Lightning plays a crucial role in the Bitcoin ecosystem by providing a robust and open-source implementation of the Lightning Network. This enables users to conduct fast, low-cost transactions, addressing the scalability issues inherent in the Bitcoin blockchain. By being free software, Core Lightning empowers developers and users to contribute to its development, ensuring a decentralized and community-driven approach to improving Bitcoin's transaction capabilities.

## Notable For
- Being a free and open-source implementation of the Lightning Network.
- Supporting Linux and macOS operating systems.
- Having a permissive MIT License that encourages widespread adoption and modification.
- Maintaining an active development cycle with numerous stable version releases.
- Providing a dedicated community support channel on Bitcoin Stack Exchange.

## Body
### Overview
Core Lightning (CLN) is a free and open-source implementation of a Lightning Network node. It is designed to enable fast, scalable Bitcoin transactions by leveraging the Lightning Network, a second-layer protocol built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain.

### Licensing and Distribution
Core Lightning is classified as free software, meaning users have the freedom to run, study, change, and distribute the software and its modified versions. It is distributed under the MIT License, a permissive free software license that allows for extensive use and modification.

### Operating System Compatibility
Core Lightning is compatible with Linux and macOS operating systems. Linux, which was first released on 1991-09-17, is a family of Unix-like operating systems. macOS, released on 2001-03-24, is the operating system for Apple computers.

### Development and Version History
Core Lightning has a rich history of stable version releases, starting from version 0.6 released on 2018-06-25 to the latest version 25.12 released on 2025-12-04. Each version has brought improvements and new features, contributing to the robustness and functionality of the software.

### Source Code and Community Support
The source code for Core Lightning is hosted on GitHub at [https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning). This allows for community contributions and transparency in development. Additionally, Core Lightning has a dedicated tag on Bitcoin Stack Exchange, providing a platform for users to ask questions and seek support.

### Aliases
Core Lightning is also known by the aliases CLN and c-lightning, which are commonly used in the community and documentation.

### Implementation and Impact
As an implementation of the Lightning Network, Core Lightning plays a significant role in addressing the scalability issues of the Bitcoin blockchain. By enabling fast and low-cost transactions, it enhances the usability and adoption of Bitcoin as a medium of exchange. The open-source nature of Core Lightning ensures that it remains a community-driven project, fostering innovation and collaboration within the Bitcoin ecosystem.

## References

1. [Release 0.6. 2018](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.6)
2. [Release 0.6.1. 2018](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.6.1)
3. [Release 0.6.2. 2018](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.6.2)
4. [Release 0.6.3. 2019](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.6.3)
5. [Release 0.7.0. 2019](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.7.0)
6. [Release 0.7.1. 2019](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.7.1)
7. [Release 0.7.2.1. 2019](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.7.2.1)
8. [Release 0.7.3. 2019](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.7.3)
9. [Release 0.8.0. 2019](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.8.0)
10. [Release 0.8.1. 2020](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.8.1)
11. [Release 0.8.2. 2020](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.8.2)
12. [Release 0.8.2.1. 2020](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.8.2.1)
13. [Release 0.9.0. 2020](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.9.0)
14. [Release 0.9.1. 2020](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.9.1)
15. [Release 0.9.0-1. 2020](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.9.0-1)
16. [Release 0.9.2. 2020](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.9.2)
17. [Release 0.9.3. 2021](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.9.3)
18. [Release 0.10.0. 2021](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.10.0)
19. [Release 0.10.1. 2021](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.10.1)
20. [Release 0.10.2. 2021](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.10.2)
21. [Release 0.11.0.1. 2022](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.11.0.1)
22. [Release 0.11.1. 2022](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.11.1)
23. [Release 0.11.2. 2022](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.11.2)
24. [Release 0.12.0. 2022](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.12.0)
25. [Release 0.12.1. 2022](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v0.12.1)
26. [Release 22.11. 2022](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v22.11)
27. [Release 22.11.1. 2022](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v22.11.1)
28. [Release 23.02. 2023](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v23.02)
29. [Release 23.02.2. 2023](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v23.02.2)
30. [Release 23.05. 2023](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v23.05)
31. [Release 23.05.1. 2023](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v23.05.1)
32. [Release 23.05.2. 2023](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v23.05.2)
33. [Release 23.08. 2023](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v23.08)
34. [Release 23.08.1. 2023](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v23.08.1)
35. [Release 23.11. 2023](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v23.11)
36. [Release 23.11.1. 2023](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v23.11.1)
37. [Release 23.11.2. 2023](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v23.11.2)
38. [Release 24.02. 2024](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v24.02)
39. [Release 24.02.1. 2024](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v24.02.1)
40. [Release 24.02.2. 2024](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v24.02.2)
41. [Release 24.05. 2024](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v24.05)
42. [Release 24.08. 2024](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v24.08)
43. [Release 24.08.1. 2024](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v24.08.1)
44. [Release 24.08.2. 2024](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v24.08.2)
45. [Release 24.11. 2024](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v24.11)
46. [Release 24.11.1. 2024](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v24.11.1)
47. [Release 25.02. 2025](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v25.02)
48. [Release 25.02.1. 2025](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v25.02.1)
49. [Release 25.02.2. 2025](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v25.02.2)
50. [Release 25.05. 2025](https://github.com/ElementsProject/lightning/releases/tag/v25.05)