Ledger Live Wallet – Getting Started (Developer Portal) | Official

Why Ledger Live (Ledger Wallet)?

Ledger Live — now often referred to as Ledger Wallet in official pages — is Ledger’s all-in-one application for managing cryptocurrencies while keeping private keys off the internet in a hardware device. For developers, Ledger Live is both a user-facing wallet and a platform that can host Live Apps and connect to the Wallet API for integration and testing. This centralization of features makes it an ideal first stop for developers building secure, wallet-integrated experiences. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

What this guide covers

• Installing Ledger Wallet (Ledger Live)
• Connecting and configuring a Ledger device
• Developer workflows: Wallet API, simulator, and Live Apps
• CLI and local dev tricks
• Security best-practices and verification

Step 1 — Install Ledger Wallet (Ledger Live)

Download the official Ledger Wallet app for your OS from Ledger’s website (choose Windows, macOS, or Linux). Always verify the download signature before running installers — Ledger publishes hashes/signatures for every release so you can confirm authenticity. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

Quick install (desktop)

1. Visit the official download page and pick your OS.
2. Download the installer and compare its SHA512 (or signature) with the official signature file.
3. Install and open the Ledger Wallet app; choose Get started and follow on-screen instructions.

Mobile

Ledger publishes official mobile apps (Android / iOS). For production testing of Wallet integrations, desktop is usually easiest; for mobile integrations, test with official mobile releases and the Ledger docs. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Step 2 — Connect your device & basic device setup

Follow the in-app steps to set up a new hardware device or restore from an existing seed phrase. Important: your recovery phrase (seed) should never be entered into Ledger Live — Ledger devices keep keys offline and never send seed phrases to apps. The setup steps are documented in Ledger’s support and getting-started pages. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

Device readiness checklist

• Firmware up-to-date on your Ledger device.
• Ledger Wallet app is a supported release and signature confirmed.
• Backup seed stored offline and physically secure.
• Developer mode only enabled if you know what it does (used for Live Apps & manifests).

Developer mode note

When building Live Apps or testing integrations, the Developer Portal documents how to enable developer features and create manifests so your Live App appears in Discover. Use test accounts and simulator tooling when possible. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

Step 3 — Developer workflows: Wallet API, simulator, and Live Apps

Ledger provides a Wallet API and SDKs to let Live Apps communicate with the local Ledger Wallet environment. For local development you can run the Wallet-API and the Ledger Services Kit simulator so your app talks to a mock environment before touching real accounts. This saves time and reduces risk. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

Getting started with the Wallet API

Clone the official wallet-api repo, follow the README, and run the dev server. The Wallet-API is available on Ledger’s GitHub and provides concrete examples and type definitions to accelerate integration. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Simulator vs real device

Use the simulator to iterate quickly. Once behavior is stable, test with a real Ledger device and limited-value test accounts before wide rollout.

Step 4 — CLI, debugging and local testing

Ledger’s docs contain useful CLI commands and developer references that help you work with accounts, sign messages, and inspect the local environment. The CLI commands are especially handy in CI or scripted tests. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

Common developer tips

• Run the Wallet-API in watch/dev mode to pick up code changes instantly.
• Use a dedicated test Ledger device or test accounts to avoid accidental loss.
• Script repetitive tasks (account creation, sync) using documented CLI commands.

Step 5 — Security: verification & best-practices

Never enter your seed phrase into any app, email, or website. Ledger and third parties will never ask for your seed phrase. Be aware of counterfeit or malicious Ledger clients — only download official releases and verify signatures. Recent reporting has shown malware campaigns attempting to trick macOS users with fake Ledger installers; always confirm the source and signatures. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}

Practical security checklist

• Verify Ledger Live binary signatures before installing.
• Keep your recovery phrase offline and physically secured.
• Test new integrations in simulator mode before production.
• Limit permissions and review manifests when adding Live Apps.

Resources & official references

Below are the primary, official resources for developers:

Where to ask questions

Ledger’s developer community (Developer Portal) and official Discord/forums are the best places to ask integration questions and report issues. Always include steps to reproduce, environment (OS, Ledger Live version), and whether you used the simulator or real device. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}