Ledger® Live Wallet – Getting Started™ Developer Portal

Developer Portal

Welcome to the Ledger Live Wallet developer getting started guide. This document explains how to integrate, test, and deploy features with Ledger Live Wallet and the Ledger/Live/Wallet ecosystem. Whether you're building a hardware-backed wallet integration or a platform connector, Ledger Live Wallet provides the secure primitives and APIs you need.

Overview

Ledger Live Wallet is a secure client for managing crypto assets. Use these instructions to set up your environment, connect to devices, and begin sending and receiving transactions. This developer portal covers the Ledger/Live/Wallet APIs, transport layers, and sample code to accelerate integration with Ledger Live Wallet.

Prerequisites

Installation

Install the official SDK and utilities used to talk to a Ledger device. Example for a quick start:

npm install @ledgerhq/hw-transport-node-hid @ledgerhq/hw-app-eth @ledgerhq/ledger-live-common

These libraries help your app talk to Ledger devices and to implement Ledger Live Wallet flows, account discovery, and transaction signing.

Connecting to a Device

Use the transport layer to detect and connect to Ledger devices. The Ledger/Live/Wallet libraries standardize discovery and permission flows so your app can prompt users safely.

import TransportNodeHid from '@ledgerhq/hw-transport-node-hid';
const transport = await TransportNodeHid.create();
// then pass transport to app-specific libraries

Always handle permissions and user prompts in accordance with best practices. Ledger Live Wallet connections must be explicit and user-initiated; never connect silently.

Account Discovery & Signing

Discover accounts using the BIP44/BIP32 derivation standards supported by Ledger Live Wallet. After discovery, use the app-specific commands to prepare and sign transactions on-device. Keep private keys on the device at all times — Ledger Live Wallet enforces on-device signing so private keys never leave the hardware.

Development Best Practices

  1. Follow on-device UX guidelines: show clear instructions before prompting the user to accept on-device actions.
  2. Implement robust error handling for transport disconnects and user cancellations.
  3. Use the Ledger/Live/Wallet SDK versions pinned in your package.json to avoid breaking changes.
  4. Test against both the device and the Ledger Live simulator.

Security Considerations

Security is central to Ledger Live Wallet. Never request user seed phrases. Always rely on the device for signing and never export private keys from the device. Validate all transaction parameters on the host and present human-readable summaries to users before signing. Regularly update to the latest firmware and SDK versions to receive security fixes.

Sample Flow (Send Transaction)

// pseudocode
const transport = await TransportNodeHid.create();
const eth = new Eth(transport);
const unsignedTx = buildUnsignedTx({to, value, gas});
const signature = await eth.signTransaction(path, unsignedTx);
const serialized = serializeTx(unsignedTx, signature);
broadcast(serialized);

This flow demonstrates how Ledger Live Wallet integrations typically construct a transaction, prompt the user to confirm on-device, retrieve the signature, and broadcast it to the network.

Advanced Integration

For advanced Ledger Live Wallet integrations, consider implementing batched operations, multi-account management, and support for multiple chains. Use the Ledger/Live/Wallet SDK to handle concurrency when signing multiple transactions and to build a trusted proxy for broadcasting. Monitor telemetry and errors (without capturing sensitive key material) to improve reliability and user experience. When scaling your integration, pay attention to rate limits, session management, cross-platform compatibility, and user education. Keep users informed of Ledger Live Wallet, firmware, and SDK updates to reduce support friction and improve security posture.

Testing & QA

Use automated tests that mock Transport layers for unit tests and run device tests using a hardware-in-the-loop setup. Verify UX flows on both the device and Ledger Live Wallet application to ensure the user experience is consistent and safe.

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Ledger Live Wallet and how does it differ from other wallets?
Ledger Live Wallet is a hardware-backed wallet client that keeps private keys on the device. Unlike pure software wallets, Ledger Live Wallet leverages dedicated secure elements on Ledger devices for signing and storage, improving security for long-term key custody.
2. How do I test my integration with Ledger/Live/Wallet?
Use the Ledger Live simulator and the transport mocking utilities included in the SDK. Run unit tests against mocked transports and integration tests with a hardware wallet. Follow the developer portal samples for end-to-end flows.
3. Can my web app call Ledger Live Wallet directly from the browser?
Yes — when using browser-compatible transports such as WebHID or WebUSB and following Ledger's secure connection guidelines. Ensure user gestures initiate device connection and always present clear confirmation steps.
4. Where do I find API references for Ledger Live Wallet?
API references live in the official developer documentation. Look for the Ledger/Live/Wallet SDK modules, transport guides, and app-specific command references for each supported coin or protocol.
5. What should I avoid when integrating with Ledger Live Wallet?
Avoid requesting seed phrases, avoid storing private keys off-device, and avoid automatic silent connections. Follow the security and UX best practices in this portal to maintain user trust and compliance with Ledger Live Wallet guidelines.