ncdns

ncdns is software for accessing .bit domain names. If you want to access .bit domain names, ncdns is most likely what you want to install.

See the ncdns documentation.

Current release: v0.3.1 (Windows 64-bit x86), v0.3 (other platforms).

Windows

The installer also automatically installs and configures a Namecoin client (Namecoin Core, ConsensusJ-Namecoin, or Electrum-NMC) and Dnssec-Trigger/Unbound, and sets up TLS certificate validation in any supported web browsers that are installed (see documentation for a list of supported browsers). It’s basically all you need for browsing .bit domain names.

Plain binaries are useful for advanced users only. They require setting up a Namecoin client (Namecoin Core, ConsensusJ-Namecoin, or Electrum-NMC) and a recursive DNS resolver (e.g. Unbound) separately; additional setup is required for TLS certificate validation.

GNU/Linux

Requires setting up a Namecoin client (Namecoin Core, ConsensusJ-Namecoin, or Electrum-NMC) and a recursive DNS resolver (e.g. Unbound) separately; additional setup is required for TLS certificate validation.

macOS

Requires setting up a Namecoin client (Namecoin Core, ConsensusJ-Namecoin, or Electrum-NMC) and a recursive DNS resolver (e.g. Unbound) separately; additional setup is required for TLS certificate validation.

Tor Browser

Tor Browser Nightly for GNU/Linux has experimental Namecoin resolution built-in. Set the environment variable TOR_ENABLE_NAMECOIN=1 to use it.

Namecoin Core Client (Stable Release)

  • Name wallet: includes command-line interface for registering, tracking, updating, and renewing names (if you don’t already have some namecoins, you’ll need to buy some at an exchange).
  • Name wallet: includes graphical interface for tracking, updating, and renewing names (if you don’t already have some namecoins, you’ll need to buy some at an exchange).
  • No graphical interface for registering names. Use the Name Tab Beta (see below) if you require this functionality.
  • Name lookup: allows looking up names (use in combination with ncdns or NMControl to browse .bit domains).
  • Currency wallet: includes graphical interface and command-line interface for receiving and sending namecoins.
  • Recommended for miners.
  • Recommended for users who don’t intend to register new names.
  • Recommended for users who are comfortable registering new names via the command-line.

Current release: 22.0.

Windows

Most users should install ncdns (see above) instead; it includes Namecoin Core.

macOS

Namecoin Core Client (with Qt Name Tab)

  • Name wallet: includes graphical interface and command-line interface for registering, tracking, updating, and renewing names (if you don’t already have some namecoins, you’ll need to buy some at an exchange).
  • Name lookup: allows looking up names (use in combination with ncdns or NMControl to browse .bit domains).
  • Currency wallet: includes graphical interface and command-line interface for receiving and sending namecoins.
  • Not suitable for mining.

Current release: 0.13.99-name-tab-beta1.

Source on GitHub.

macOS

macOS binaries of Namecoin Core Name Tab Beta are not yet available. For now, macOS users should use the Stable Release (see above), build Namecoin Core from source, or use Namecoin Legacy (see below).

Namecoin Legacy Client

  • Use this instead of Namecoin Core if Namecoin Core doesn’t work or if you need macOS binaries that include the name management tab.
  • Not suitable for mining or development.
  • Always wait for six confirmations.
  • Backup your wallet.dat before enabling wallet encryption.

Source on GitHub.

NMControl Middleware

NMControl connects your browser/application to the client. It allows you, for example, to browse .bit domains. Source and installation instructions on Github.

Generally, we recommend ncdns instead of NMControl. Usage of NMControl may be warranted in the following circumstances:

  • You rely on reproducible builds of the non-installer binaries. (Python source code is inherently reproducible; ncdns is not yet reproducible.)
  • You rely on the non-default Private Mode of NMControl. (Private Mode prevents external DNS traffic from .bit lookups; ncdns can trigger such lookups from Unbound.)
  • You rely on encrypted DNS (e.g. DoH) for non-.bit lookups, and you rely on the Windows installer (NMControl’s installer won’t affect non-.bit DNS lookups, while ncdns installs DNSSEC-Trigger, which will interfere with DoH.)

GNU/Linux and macOS

With Python 2.7 installed you can run nmcontrol.py directly from source. If you need help ask on Github or on the forum.

Help Us Test Betas

Want to help us test improvements in Namecoin? Check out the Beta Downloads page.