Beginner Tutorial: Bitcoin Core Full Node, TOR, Specter Wallet, Ubuntu Linux (Mac or PC)

Running a full node and wallet software allows users to sign their own bitcoin transactions, support the bitcoin network (keeping it decentralized and censorship resistant), while also supporting software improvements such as Taproot and Schnorr. This is a beginner friendly walkthrough tutorial that will teach you how to install Ubuntu Linux on a Mac or PC desktop or laptop, the onion router (TOR), Bitcoin Core, and Specter Wallet (to use with hardware wallets such as Ledger, Trezor, Cold Card, Bitbox, Keepkey, Cobo Vault, Electrum and others).

I have included some dialog around keyboard shortcuts and terminal commands below. Since the video is fairly long, I have also included timestamps to help you navigate. Some of the code had to be trimmed here and I replaced right angles with (rightangle) since YouTube doesn't allow.

0:00 Introduction summary
2:02 Finished product demo and benefits
4:23 First steps: Ubuntu Linux ISO, Balena Etcher
5:42 Keyboard shortcuts for Terminal and Linux
8:21 Steps to install Ubuntu Linux from USB on Mac
9:21 Steps to install Ubuntu Linux from USB on PC
14:42 Logging into Ubuntu Linux for the first time
20:54 Installing the onion router (TOR)
27:13 Verifying that TOR is working properly
27:38 Testing TOR with Firefox browser, use tips
30:49 Installing and configuring Bitcoin Core
37:38 Configure Bitcoin Core to run on TOR
39:25 Instal and configure GNOME Tweaks (Optional)
41:27 Installing and configuring Specter Wallet
50:12 Howto copy the blockchain from an external drive
51:31 Other tips, resources for addressing Bitcoin FUD
59:58 Fully synced node, showing network traffic
1:00:14 Launching Specter Wallet, adding devices

--- Repeat List

These are the two lines that you will use to launch Bitcoin Core and Specter Wallet once everything is installed and configured:
cd ~/Downloads/bitcoin*/bitcoin*/bin && ./bitcoin-qt
cd ~/Downloads/specter*/ && ./Specter*.AppImage

-- Downloads List

-- Install Tor

5. sudo apt update
6. sudo apt install tor
7. sudo vi /etc/tor/torrc (uncomment two items here by removing the # symbol, scroll down to them using the h j k and l keys)
8. ControlPort 9051 (j j j down to the # symbol then press delete, then escape)
9. CookieAuthentication 1 (j j j down to the # symbol then press delete, then escape, :wq to write and quit, :q! to quit without saving if you make a mistake)
10. sudo systemctl restart tor (restart tor)

-- Install Bitcoin Core

3. cd Downloads/
4. sha256sum --ignore-missing --check SHA256SUMS.asc
6. gpg --verify SHA256SUMS.asc
7. it should say "Primary key fingerprint: 01EA 5486 DE18 A882 D4C2 6845 90C8 019E 36C2 E964"
8. navigate to Downloads/bitcoin-0.21.0-x86_64-linux-gnu/bitcoin.21.0/bin and right click any empty space to select "Open in Terminal" or you could use cd ~/Downloads/bitcoin*/bitcoin*/bin && ./bitcoin-qt (this launches the GUI version of Bitcoin Core)
9. on the first time running, it will let you select "Use default directory" and "Discard blocks" if you wish to run a prunded node due to limited hard drive space.
10. Settings - Options - Network and check "Connect through SOCKS5 proxy" with 127.0.0.1 and 9050 (might have to restart Bitcoin Core for this change to take effect, use the terminal window and press ctrl + c to close the running instance, then re-launch bitcoin-qt)
11. Settings - Options - Open Configuration File, add the lines server=1 and blockfilterindex=1 (blockfilterindex only works if you aren't running a pruned mode)

[dcntralizedmind]

Thank you! Zero experience with any programming/command prompts whatsoever and was able to pull this off with a new machine.

Problems I encountered were trying to verify checksums AFTER extraction. You say this later in the video. Maybe it would have paid to watch the whole thing first, then pause step-by-step.

Also, id recommend updating Ubuntu first after fresh install, as I had to copy error code and go search manually for libraries during Core install.

[bitcoinog]

Great tutorial. Keep up doing good job. Thanks.

[sourcecreator]

Excellent video - thank you so much for putting this together, in its entirety.

[ThomasJScharmann]

Hard to see your screen; however, how you chaptered this tutorial along with the details you provide in the description for this vid are fantastic. Thumbs up.

[xasroma]

Thank you for the excellent video!
I have two questions: Specter already has Tor built in. Why is it necessary to install Tor separately?
Why did you run specter commands prior to install ? What was the purpose of running those commands?
Great explanation - I liked the FUD section as well. Cheers!
BTW Specter just updated today to version V1.4.1

[ray]

greet video, wished you made a video on how to install bitcoin core with prune

[mtscott]

Thanks man, that was great. Why not use NANO instead of VI for beginners though?

[pete_k]

@21:37 there's no reason to use VI or VIM or any other one of those old school editors, especially when the tutorial is targeted to beginners. Just use a 'normal' text editor, like the one that is included in Ubuntu -- anyone who is able use notepad you can use it too.

Otherwise a decent introductional tutorial, with the Tor settings and all.

[erikwest]

Thanks for this video!.do you have a tutorial on how to install linux on a macbook air?... I Would you recommend upgrading the SSD to 2TB first?

[kflash]

I dont know how to verify signatures for Specter wallet. Your instruction doesnt work for me. Can you tell step by step how to do this please ?

[martinlutherkingjr.]

Why did you pick ubuntu? How about Qubes?

[myaiumba]

Where did you get that list of instructions to copy and paste? I don’t see that anywhere. Also what’s the difference in what your doing and just installing tor app?

[Fenix-gybx]

Can I install bitcoin core on 1 empty HD and use tails(pen drive) as OS?? I try and bitcoin core does not connect to any peers. When I use Linux Mint it starts to sync normally.

[armandogomez]

Can I change where the ledger is saved to after the fact? Sad is only 128 but have a 1tb drive I should’ve used

[Rakyta_btc]

That is not a full node, please adjust your title.