Bitcoin: Connecting bitcoind and BTC RPC Explorer in docker
Here is an article about integrating Bitcoind and BTC RPC Explorer in Docker:
Combining Bitcoin (Bitcoind) and BTC RPC Explorer in Docker
As a cryptocurrency enthusiast, you are probably familiar with the interaction of several tools. In this article, we will explore how to integrate Bitcoind, a popular decentralized cryptocurrency software, with BTC RPC Explorer, a graphical user interface for querying Bitcoin blockchain data.
Why combine Bitcoind and BTC RPC Explorer?
Before we get into the setup process, let’s quickly discuss why you might need to connect these two services:
- Decentralized Applications: Many DeFi (Decentralized Finance) and NFT (Non-Fungible Token) projects use Bitcoin as their native cryptocurrency. In order to interact with these applications, they need access to the Bitcoind service.
- Research and Development: Developers and researchers often need to query Bitcoin blockchain data using tools like BTC RPC Explorer. Connecting Bitcoind allows for seamless interaction with this data.
Installing Docker Containers
To connect Bitcoind and BTC RPC Explorer in a Docker environment, follow these steps:
Step 1: Pull the official Bitcoind image
First, we need to grab the official Bitcoind image from Docker Hub. Run the following command:
docker pull bitcoind/bitcoin:latest
This will download the latest version of Bitcoind.
Step 2: Create a new Docker file for BTC RPC Explorer
Create a new file called "Dockerfile" in the same directory as your existing files. This file contains instructions for creating a Docker image for BTC RPC Explorer.

Use the official Node.js imageFROM node:latest
Set the working directory to /appWORKING PROGRAM. /app
Copy .gitignore and MakefileCOPY ./.gitignore Makefile .
Install dependenciesRUN npm install -g bitcoin-cli
Build the applicationRUN npm run build
Open portALT 8545
Run the application when the container startsCMD [./node_modules/.bin/bitcoin-cli", "--rpc", "
This Dockerfile uses the official Node.js image, sets up a working directory for the application, installs dependencies using npm, builds the application, exposes port 8545 (the default RPC port), and sets up a CMD script to run the application when the container starts.
Step 3: Create Docker Images
Create two separate Dockerfiles:
- One for Bitcoind (bitcoind/dockerfile
)
- One BTC for RPC Explorer (btxrpc/dockerfile
)
Build each Docker image using:
docker build -t bitcoind-bitcoin-core .
Docker build -t btxrpc-btc-rpc .
Step 4: Run the Docker containers
Start the containers using the following commands:
- Bitcoind: docker run -d –name bitcoin-container bitcoind/bitcoind:latest
- BTC RPC Explorer:docker run -d –name xrpc-container btxrpc/btxrpc:latest
The–nameflag creates a temporary name for each container that is stored in the Docker file. This allows you to easily manage multiple containers without conflicts.
Step 5: Open Bitcoind and BTC RPC Explorer
Once the containers are running, you can access Bitcoind and BTC RPC Explorer using their respective URLs:
- Bitcoind:
- BTC RPC Explorer: ” (replace “xrpc-container” with the actual name of the container)
Conclusion
By following these steps, you have successfully integrated Bitcoind and BTC RPC Explorer into a Docker environment. This configuration allows for seamless interaction between the two services, allowing easy access to Bitcoin blockchain data using tools like BTC RPC Explorer.
As a final note, remember that this is just one way to integrate Bitcoind and BTC RPC Explorer into Docker. You can experiment with different configurations and images to find what works best for your use case.
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