Guide on using Lightning on Testnet \ stacker news ~lightning

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213 sats \ 14 comments \ @021da48107 1 Aug lightning

I'm looking to get more into the Lightning network and want to test out how things work on the Bitcoin testnet. Does anyone have a good guide on how to use Lightning on testnet?

I have my testnet Bitcoin node synced and LND wallet created. I got some peers and some testnet Bitcoin but opening a channel has a min of 20k sats, which is difficult to get from a faucet.

Thanks

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111 sats \ 2 replies \ @john_doe 1 Aug

I had the same difficulties, I suggest to either wait for testnet 4 or to use regtest. The fourth version should fix the problems of fees on testnet and so you should be able to properly use testnet coins with wallets such as Phoenix or Green. The other way to test is to use regtest as suggested by K00b. In my case to test wallets I just use mainnet... But too afraid to use Green with Lightning as it is written "experimental" for example. That would be great if these kind of wallets would better support testnet isn't it?

21 sats \ 1 reply \ @021da48107 OP 1 Aug

Yeah the lack of support for testnet is depressing in the Bitcoin world. Even most guides that are walking a no-coiner through never mention testnet. These new people have a higher risk of looser their coins, and IMO should start on testnet where if they do loose their coins it isn't a big deal.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @john_doe 1 Aug

Totally agree. The tools are disparate and often outdated. I guess it is something left as a task. On Stacker News I noticed some users like Darth coin using mainnet to test. When you look at the support on Telegram of Blockstream I often saw people stuck with Green saying they can't move their sats... But it was written "experimental"... So apparently it is common practice to use mainnet for tests.

100 sats \ 0 replies \ @sagars209 1 Aug

i have been using testnet for last 1 year or small transactions and never had any challenges in opening channels, though i don't have my on LND node. i have been using electrum wallet in testnet mode and opened a channel to btcpay testnet server

10 sats \ 1 reply \ @leo 1 Aug

What issue are you stuck with? Acquiring more testnet coins?

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @021da48107 OP 1 Aug

I got some peers and some testnet Bitcoin but opening a channel has a min of 20k sats, which is difficult to get from a faucet.

44 sats \ 3 replies \ @k00b 1 Aug

Why testnet and not mutinynet or even regtest?

10 sats \ 2 replies \ @john_doe 1 Aug

Maybe to test wallets like Phoenix. I tried to do the same thing but gave up because of the difficulties I encountered with testnet3.

31 sats \ 1 reply \ @021da48107 OP 1 Aug

Yep that is why. I already have Blixt testnet on my phone. I'm also using mynode which afaik doesn't support mutinynet or regtest. I can setup a regtest manually if I want but not sure how many apps will support that.

Why not testnet, it's there for testing?

111 sats \ 0 replies \ @john_doe 1 Aug

It is. In the past I wanted to test multisig on a cold card, and have been told by the support to just try on mainnet with small amounts... It totally defeats the purpose of testnet. To me it looks like people may be using testnet but individually, or in a team maybe, but not in the benefit of everyone. And with testnet 3, using faucets doesn't even give decent amounts when considering the fees... In my case my testnet coins are stuck on Phoenix, can't even move it because of the fees... Let us hope testnet 4 will quickly be supported.

0 sats \ 2 replies \ @bitcoin_minimalist 1 Aug

If you need more testnet coins to open channels, I can send you some.

0 sats \ 1 reply \ @021da48107 OP 1 Aug

That would be wonderful, thank you!

tb1qtqpg6la9v02wftcv52d5kmh8t7husa5k8crpdl is my test address, feel free to send an address for me to send the tbtc back to when I'm done.

Thanks again.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @bitcoin_minimalist 2 Aug

Alright, sent you 1M sats :)

No need to send anything back, I don't really need those testnet coins anymore.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Octopus 1 Aug outlawed

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