OpenViSTAI · Agents · Blockchain · Crypto
Submit a project
Menu
Developer Tools

Btcdeb

Btcdeb is a C-based, MIT-licensed command-line toolkit for constructing and debugging Bitcoin Scripts. Its btcdeb debugger steps through script operations and shows stack contents; its btcc compiler translates human-readable script operations into Bitcoin Script encoding.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Btcdeb — OpenViST project profile in Developer Tools.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use btcdeb when you need to inspect Bitcoin Script operation-by-operation or convert a readable script into its encoded representation.

Who it is for

  • Bitcoin developers inspecting script execution one operation at a time.
  • Script authors who want to convert readable operations into Bitcoin Script encoding.

Documented uses

  • Step through Bitcoin Script operations and inspect the stack state.
  • Translate human-readable script operations into Bitcoin Script encoding.
  • Build or package the tools for native, Docker or JavaScript-based workflows.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

  • The native build instructions cover Linux and macOS and list required dependencies.
  • Docker is documented as an alternative way to use the tools.
  • The JavaScript build uses Emscripten and Node.js; the btcdeb console has a documented limitation in this mode.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Build btcdeb from source on Linux or macOS

Prepare a native build of the Bitcoin Script tools.

Before you start

  • The btcdeb source code
  • libtool, libssl, autoconf/automake and pkg-config
  • On macOS, Apple command-line tools and Homebrew

Steps

  1. Install the required dependencies for your operating system.

  2. From the source directory, run ./autogen.sh.

  3. Run ./configure, then make.

  4. Run sudo make install.

Expected outcome

The documented build and installation process produces the btcdeb tools for use on Linux or macOS.

Guide limitations

  • The README notes that missing dependencies may cause build errors.
  • The instructions do not specify platform versions or guarantee compatibility.
Documentation 1 ↗
Source-based practical guide

Compile btcdeb tools to JavaScript

Compile the documented tools with Emscripten and invoke btcdeb through Node.js.

Before you start

  • The btcdeb source code
  • The Emscripten SDK
  • Node.js

Steps

  1. Install the Emscripten SDK.

  2. In the source directory, run make clean, emconfigure ./configure and emmake make.

  3. Run the documented loop that renames btcdeb, btcc and tap outputs to .bc files and compiles them with emcc.

  4. Invoke the debugger with node btcdeb.js.

Expected outcome

The tools are compiled to JavaScript; the README gives Node.js invocation as the next step.

Guide limitations

  • The README says most functions work, but the btcdeb console does not.
  • It describes a newline-input workaround for the console.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
Source availability
Active
Sources checked
14 October 2026
Original website title
bitcoin-core/btcdeb · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
How we review sourcesSuggest a correction