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Parmanode Setup Guide

If the idea of setting up a Bitcoin node sounds intimidating, Parmanode is about to change your mind. It's an open-source Bitcoin node installer that takes the complexity out of running your own node—without taking away your control.

Created by Arman the Parman (a well-known Bitcoin educator), Parmanode is a terminal-based wizard that guides you through installing Bitcoin Core and related software. It handles the tedious parts automatically—downloading, verifying signatures, configuring settings—while giving you full access to everything under the hood.

Why Parmanode?

Unlike GUI-based solutions like Umbrel or Start9, Parmanode doesn't hide anything from you. You're running real software on a real Linux (or Mac) system. When something goes wrong, you can actually troubleshoot it. When you want to customize something, you can. It's training wheels that come off gracefully.

What Parmanode Does​

Parmanode is a package installer wizard that makes it easy to:

  • Download software securely — Automatic PGP signature and SHA256 verification
  • Install Bitcoin Core — The reference Bitcoin implementation
  • Set up Electrum servers — Fulcrum, Electrs, or Electrum X
  • Install wallet software — Sparrow, Electrum, Specter, and more
  • Configure everything automatically — Wallets connect to your node without manual setup
  • Add privacy tools — Tor, Whirlpool, JoinMarket

The key feature that sets Parmanode apart: it connects your wallet to your node automatically. Install Sparrow or Electrum through Parmanode, and they'll be pre-configured to use your local Electrum server. No copying connection strings or fumbling with settings.

Supported Platforms​

PlatformSupport Level
Linux (Debian/Ubuntu)Full support — recommended
Mac (Intel & Apple Silicon)Most features work
Raspberry PiFull support with ParmanodL OS
WindowsNot supported (use Linux VM)

Parmanode works best on Linux. If you're on Mac, most node-related software will work, but some advanced features are Linux-only.

What You Can Install​

Parmanode organizes software into categories. You pick what you need:

Node Software​

  • Bitcoin Core / Bitcoin Knots
  • Electrs (Electrum Server)
  • Fulcrum (faster Electrum Server)
  • Electrum X
  • Mempool (block explorer)
  • LND (Lightning)
  • BTCPay Server

Wallet Software​

  • Sparrow Wallet
  • Electrum
  • Specter Desktop
  • Green Wallet
  • Trezor Suite
  • Ledger Live

Other Tools​

  • Tor
  • Tor Browser
  • Whirlpool (CoinJoin)
  • JoinMarket
  • Nostr Relay
  • And more...

You don't have to install everything—tailor it to your needs.

Installation​

Prerequisites​

Before you begin:

  • A computer running Linux (Debian/Ubuntu family) or Mac
  • At least 1 TB SSD storage (2 TB recommended)
  • Stable internet connection (blockchain download is ~600 GB)
  • Basic comfort with the terminal
Storage Warning

Do not attempt to run a Bitcoin node on a traditional hard drive (HDD). The initial sync will take weeks instead of days, and ongoing performance will be frustrating. An SSD is essential.

Step 1: Open Terminal​

On Linux, open your terminal application. On Mac, open Terminal from Applications → Utilities.

Step 2: Install Parmanode​

Copy and paste this single command:

curl https://parmanode.com/install.sh | sh

This downloads and runs the Parmanode installer. The script is short and simple—if you want to inspect it first, run the command without | sh to print it to your screen.

Mac Users

You may be prompted to install Command Line Developer Tools. A popup window will appear—click "Install" and wait a few minutes. This is required for git to work.

Step 3: Run Parmanode​

After installation completes, start Parmanode by typing:

rp

That's it—just two characters. The Parmanode menu will appear.

Step 4: Navigate the Menus​

Parmanode uses a simple menu system:

PARMANODE --> Main Menu --> Install Menu --> Node Install
═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

# Not yet installed...

    (core)        Bitcoin Core/Knots
    (ersd)        electrs (Docker)
    (ex)          Electrum X
    (f)           Fulcrum (an Electrum Server)
    ...

# Installed...
    
    Bitcoin Core/Knots
    electrs

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════
Type your choice from above options, or: (p) for previous,
(m) for main, (q) to quit.
Then <enter>:

Type the code in parentheses (like core or f) and press Enter to install that software.

Installing Bitcoin Core​

From the main menu:

  1. Navigate to Install Menu → Node Install
  2. Type core and press Enter
  3. Follow the prompts

Parmanode will:

  • Download Bitcoin Core from bitcoin.org
  • Verify the PGP signatures automatically
  • Install and configure Bitcoin Core
  • Start the initial blockchain sync
Sync Time

The initial blockchain download takes 1-7 days depending on your hardware and internet speed. This only happens once—after that, your node stays current automatically.

Checking Sync Progress​

Parmanode provides status information for installed software. You can monitor your sync progress through the Bitcoin Core menu.

Installing an Electrum Server​

An Electrum server indexes the blockchain so your wallet can query it efficiently. Without one, your wallet would need to scan the entire blockchain for your transactions.

Fulcrum is faster than electrs, though it requires more RAM. From the Node Install menu:

  1. Type f and press Enter
  2. Follow the prompts

Alternative: Electrs​

If you have limited RAM (4 GB or less), electrs is lighter:

  1. Type ersd and press Enter
  2. Follow the prompts
Wait for Bitcoin Core

Your Electrum server needs Bitcoin Core to be fully synced before it can index the blockchain. The indexing process takes an additional 12-48 hours after Bitcoin Core finishes syncing.

Installing Sparrow Wallet​

Here's where Parmanode shines. From the main menu:

  1. Navigate to Install Menu → Wallet Install
  2. Type sparrow and press Enter
  3. Follow the prompts

When installation completes, Sparrow will automatically be configured to connect to your local Electrum server. No manual configuration needed.

Launch Sparrow and it will already be talking to your node. Your transactions, your addresses, your balance queries—all private, all verified by your own infrastructure.

Connection Information​

Even though Parmanode configures wallets automatically, you can view your connection settings anytime. From the Electrum server menu, you'll see something like:

═══════════════════════ Electrs v0.10.3 Menu ══════════════

ELECTRS IS: RUNNING
STATUS:     Bitcoin still sync'ing (external drive)

CONNECT:    127.0.0.1:50001   [From this computer only]
            127.0.0.1:50002:s [From this computer only]
            192.168.0.170:50001:s [From any home network computer]

TOR:        [onion address for remote access]

═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Use these addresses to connect wallets on other devices to your node.

Updating Parmanode​

Parmanode can update itself from within the software. Look for the update option in the main menu.

Important: Updating Parmanode does not automatically update the apps it installed. To get newer versions of Bitcoin Core or other software:

  1. Uninstall the app using Parmanode's remove tools
  2. Reinstall it (the new version of Parmanode will install the newer version)

If the built-in update is giving you trouble, you can force a refresh:

curl https://parmanode.com/refresh_parmanode | sh

Running on a Raspberry Pi​

Parmanode offers ParmanodL OS—a complete operating system image for Raspberry Pi 4 or 5. This is the easiest way to set up a dedicated Bitcoin node.

Getting ParmanodL​

Download options:

  1. Direct download from parmanode.com
  2. Torrent (helps distribute the file to others)
  3. Tor hidden service for maximum privacy

Default Credentials​

When you boot ParmanodL:

  • Username: parman
  • Password: parmanodl

SSH Access​

To access your node remotely:

ssh parman@parmanodl.local
Graphical Applications via SSH

Some Parmanode features launch graphical applications (like wallets). To see these over SSH, use the -Y flag and ensure X11 forwarding is enabled:

ssh -Y parman@parmanodl.local

On Mac, you'll need an X11 viewer like XQuartz.

Tips and Troubleshooting​

Password Prompts​

When Parmanode asks for a password, it's asking for your computer's sudo password (your login password). This is needed to access system functions like mounting drives.

Don't Run as Root​

Parmanode is designed to run as a normal user, not root. If you try to run it as root, you'll get errors.

VPS Hosting​

You can run Parmanode on a Virtual Private Server, but be aware that blockchain storage can get expensive unless you run Bitcoin Core in pruned mode.

Learning from the Code​

Parmanode is fully open source with extensive comments. If you want to learn how things work:

  1. Open ~/parman_programs/parmanode/ in a code editor
  2. Start with run_parmanode.sh and follow the logic
  3. Every command is something you could run manually in the terminal

This is a great way to learn Linux and Bitcoin infrastructure.

Key Takeaways​

Parmanode makes running a Bitcoin node accessible without dumbing it down:

  • One-line installation — curl https://parmanode.com/install.sh | sh
  • Automatic verification — PGP and SHA256 checks happen automatically
  • Automatic wallet configuration — Sparrow and Electrum connect to your node without manual setup
  • Full control — You're running real software on a real system, nothing hidden
  • Educational — The code is commented and readable

Whether you're setting up your first node or your fifth, Parmanode removes friction without removing understanding.

Next Steps​

Once your node is running:

→ Next: Electrum Server Details — Understand your indexing options

→ Privacy: Tor Configuration — Add network-level privacy

→ Connect: Connect Sparrow Wallet — Link your wallet to your node

Resources​