Welcome to Lightning Network Development
Bitcoin's base layer settles ~7 transactions per second. Lightning Network is a Layer 2 solution that enables millions of instant, low-cost payments per second while maintaining Bitcoin's security guarantees.
In this stage, you'll learn how Lightning works at a protocol level, understand the cryptographic primitives that enable trustless off-chain payments, and build your first Lightning application.
Modules
Module 1: Payment Channels
1
Understand the foundation of Lightning: bidirectional payment channels. Learn how two parties can
transact thousands of times with only two on-chain transactions (open and close).
Topics Covered:
- Channel construction and funding
- Commitment transactions
- Revocation mechanism (penalty transactions)
- Channel states and balance updates
- Interactive Lightning Lab demo
Module 2: Routing & HTLCs
2
Master Hash Time-Locked Contracts (HTLCs) and understand how Lightning routes payments across
a network of channels without trusted intermediaries.
Topics Covered:
- Hash Time-Locked Contracts (HTLCs)
- Multi-hop payment routing
- Onion routing for privacy
- Path finding algorithms
- Interactive route simulator
Module 3: Lightning Application Development
3
Learn to build Lightning applications using LND, c-lightning, or Eclair. Create invoices,
handle payments, and build a simple Lightning-powered app.
Topics Covered:
- Lightning implementations (LND, CLN, Eclair)
- REST and gRPC APIs
- WebSocket subscriptions for real-time updates
- BOLT 11 invoice format
- Code: Build a Lightning invoice generator
Module 4: Beyond Lightning - The Future of Bitcoin Layers
4
Explore Bitcoin's evolving layer ecosystem beyond Lightning: Liquid, Fedimint, Drivechains, and emerging
protocols. Understand the tradeoffs and how each layer extends Bitcoin's capabilities.
Topics Covered:
- Bitcoin's layered architecture philosophy
- Liquid Network (privacy & institutional layer)
- Fedimint (community custody & eCash)
- Drivechains & experimental sidechains
- Interactive layers explorer map