Bitcoin CLI Command Interpretation: listdescriptors
Bitcoin’s decentralized governance model relies on a distributed ledger to manage user data. One important aspect of this system is the collection and storage of user descriptors, which provide detailed information about a user’s identity. The listdescriptors
command in the Bitcoin Core (BTC) client allows users to retrieve a list of descriptors.
Problem: XPRV Descriptor
Running listdescriptors true
usually returns a list of descriptors in JSON format with the following values:
– pkh
: private key
– sh
: secret hash
– tr
: transaction hash
– wpkh
: wallet public key hash
However, if you try to retrieve the XPRV descriptor with listdescriptors true
, you will only get a list of descriptors in JSON format, as shown above. Unfortunately, this does not include the XPRV descriptor.
Why is there no XPRV descriptor?
The reason for this discrepancy lies in the way the listdescriptors
command works. When you run listdescriptors true
, it retrieves the full list of descriptors from the Bitcoin blockchain database. The resulting JSON data is a comprehensive representation of all descriptors, including user-specific information.
Troubleshooting:
If you are having problems with not receiving the XPRV descriptor when using listdescriptors true
, try the following:
- Check your network connection: Make sure your Bitcoin Core client is connected to the network and up to date. Corrupted or outdated nodes can cause data retrieval issues.
- Check the command output: Double-check that the
listdescriptors true
output accurately reflects the expected JSON structure.
- Use the
--debug
option: Running
listdescriptors --debug
can provide more detailed information about the download operation, revealing the cause of the problem.
Application
The absence of the XPRV descriptor in the list returned by listdescriptors true
is not necessarily due to a bug in the Bitcoin client or network. Instead, it may point to issues with the specific use case or configuration you are using. By understanding how the listdescriptors
command works and troubleshooting possible causes, you can better navigate the intricacies of retrieving user descriptors from a decentralized governance system.
Additional Resources
If you would like to learn more about the Bitcoin governance model or explore ways to customize your “listdescriptors” experience, consider checking out the following resources:
- [Bitcoin Core documentation:
listdescriptors
command](
- [Bitcoin Governance Model](