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Using trezorctl commands

Trezorctl commands are tools written in the Python programming language that can be used with a Trezor device using the command line client.
 
These commands are for advanced users. Please use them with caution!
 
For a complete guide to using these commands please check out our dedicated page on GitHub here.
 

Install python-trezor 

Please note that this guide was tested with python-trezor 0.11.2 on the following clean systems:

  • Linux Mint 19
  • Ubuntu 19.04.1 LTTS (Bionic Beaver)


It works with Trezor One (bootloader version 1.6.0, and firmware version 1.7.0 or higher) and Trezor Model T.
 

Python-trezor requires Python 3.5. The easiest way to install python-trezor is with pip.


1. Update repositories, install dependencies:
 

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y python3-pip python3-dev libusb-1.0-0-dev libudev-dev
 
Note: libusb and libdev libraries are not needed if you have Trezor Suite running in the background.

2. Install setuptool and wheel:
 
pip3 install setuptools wheel

3. Install python-trezor:
 
pip3 install trezor

4. Update your $PATH by running:
 
source .profile

5. Set up Udev rules on your system
 
Reconnect your Trezor device after this step.

You can now use the Python tools for changing settings in the Trezor device, signing transactions, retrieving account info and addresses and much more!
 

python-trezor version update

You can check the latest python-trezor version on this page. To update your Python-trezor version run:
 

pip3 install -U trezor
 


Commands, options and examples

Since Click version 7, the underscores in commands were changed to dashes. Use the old nomenclature (underscores) when using an older version of python-trezor.
 


Get address

  • Command : trezorctl get-address
 
trezorctl get-address
 
  • Description: This command returns address for a specific BIP32 path and script type.
  • Required option:

-n or --address BIP32 path eg."m/49'/0'/0'/0/0"

 

  • Options:

-c or --coin

Supported coin types: Bitcoin, Testnet, Bcash, Bgold, Bitcore, Bprivate, Crown, Dash, Decred, Decred Testnet, DigiByte, Dogecoin, Feathercoin, Flashcoin, Fujicoin, Groestlcoin, Groestlcoin Testnet, Koto, Litecoin, Litecoin Testnet, Monacoin, MonetaryUnit, Pesetacoin, SmartCash, Terracoin, Vertcoin, Viacoin, Zcash, Zcash Testnet, Zcoin, Zencash
 

-t or --script-type

You can specify which script type of address to use to get xpub


Example:

 
address/segwit/p2shsegwit
 

-d or --show-display

This option will display a specific address on the Trezor display.

 

  • Example :
 
trezorctl get-address -n "m/49'/0'/0'/0/0" -t "p2shsegwit" -d
 


Wiping the Trezor device

  • Command : trezorctl wipe-device
 
  • Description : This command resets the Trezor device to factory defaults and removes all private data.

If the device is not in bootloader mode, it will erase the user data. If the device is not in bootloader mode but the option --bootloader is called, it will tell the user to enter bootloader mode. If the device is in bootloader mode and the option --bootloader is called, it will erase both the user data and firmware. If the device is in bootloader mode and the option --bootloader is not called, it will warn the user that the device is in bootloader mode.

  • Options :

--help : Show command description.

-b or --bootloader : Wipe the device in the bootloader mode. This also erases the firmware.

  • Example:
 
trezorctl wipe-device
 


Firmware update

  • Command: trezorctl firmware-update
  • Description: This command downloads and installs the selected firmware on the Trezor device, the device has to be in bootloader mode.
  • Options:

--help : Show command description.

-f or --filename : This option lets the user set the file from which the firmware should be installed.

You can install a specific version of the firmware (.bin file), download it from this Github page
 

Note: Folder 1 contains files for Trezor One. Folder 2 contains files for Trezor Model T
 
  • Example:
 
trezorctl firmware-update -f trezor-2.1.0.bin
 

-u or --url

You directly type the url of the firmware file you want to install.

  • Example:
 
trezorctl firmware-update -u https://github.com/trezor/webwallet-data/raw/master/firmware/2/trezor-2.1.0.bin
 

-v or --version

You can specify the firmware version you want to install.
 

  • Example:
trezorctl firmware-update -v 2.1.0
 
Note: It is possible to use only one of the options: filename, url, version.
 

--fingerprint
 

You can enter the fingerprint of the installed firmware when updating the firmware. It will check if the fingerprint of the version matches the entered fingerprint. If the version is not defined, the fingerprint is compared to the latest firmware fingerprint.
 

  • Example:

For firmware 2.1.0:
 

trezorctl firmware-update 
--fingerprint bb5b0308807b45d41d1e2ab66a468152997ad69a01099789d8a35e464cde999f
 

Backup device

  • Command: trezorctl backup-device
  • Description: This command shows the recovery seed of the Trezor device two times. The device has to be initialized before using this command. Showing the recovery seed on the device screen allows the user to properly back up the device.


Change PIN

  • Command: trezorctl change-pin
  • Description: This command allows the user to change or remove the PIN protection of the Trezor device.
  • Options:

-r or --remove: This option allows the user to remove PIN protection from the device.


Clear session

  • Command: trezorctl clear-session
  • Description: This command clears the device session (remove cached PINpassphrase, etc.).


Disable passphrase

  • Command: trezorctl disable-passphrase
  • Description: This command disables passphrase protection. It has to be confirmed by the user on the device.


Enable passphrase

  • Command: trezorctl enable-passphrase
  • Description: This command enables passphrase protection. It has to be confirmed by the user on the device.


Initialize device

  • Command: trezorctl reset-device
  • Description: This command initializes the device and generates a new seed after the new firmware is installed. It is the same process as the initialization of the device and creating a new wallet on trezor.io/start. Using this command, the user can set the length of the recovery seed on both devices, enable PIN or Passphrase protection, set the Trezor label, set a custom U2F counter or skip the backup process.
  • Options:

-b or --backup_type

This option lets you choose between a traditional single BIP-39 Recovery seed or Shamir Backup.

Example:

trezorctl reset-device -b shamir -t 128 initiates the devices using Shamir backup with 20-word shares. Changing the -t option to 256 will create a wallet using 33-word shares.

-t or --strength

This option lets the user choose the version of the recovery seed. The options are 128 bits (12 words), 192 bits (18 words) and 256 bits (24 words). The default is set to 256 bits.

  • Example:

This command creates a new wallet with an 18 word recovery seed.
 

 
trezorctl reset-device -t 192
 

-r or --passphrase-protection

This option enables passphrase protection after a new wallet is created.

-p or --pin-protection

This option lets the user set a PIN before a new wallet is created.

-l or --label

This option lets the user set a label for the device before a new wallet is created.

  • Example:
trezorctl reset-device -l "MyTrezor"
 

-u or --u2f-counter

This option lets the user set a custom U2F counter.

-s or --skip-backup

This option lets the user skip the recovery seed backup process - showing the seed two times on the device screen. Using this option the Trezor screen shows the "Needs backup" sign after a new wallet is created.


Safety-checks

  • Command: trezorctl set safety-checks [OPTIONS] [strict|prompt]
  • Description: Set safety check level. Set to "strict" to get the full Trezor security. Set to "prompt" if you want to be able to allow potentially unsafe actions, such as mismatching coin keys or extreme fees.

This is a power-user feature. Use with caution.

  • Example:
 
trezorctl set safety-checks prompt
 

Get features

  • Command: trezorctl get-features
  • Description: This command retrieves the device features and settings.
  • Example of the get-features response:

Features (90 bytes) 
 

   device_id: '3B5328CA18BAE5F0553BCD3A',
   flags: 0,
   initialized: True,
   language: 'english',
   major_version: 2,
   minor_version: 1,
   model: 'T',
   needs_backup: False,
   no_backup: False,
   passphrase_cached: False,
   passphrase_protection: True,
   patch_version: 0,
   pin_cached: True,
   pin_protection: True,
   revision: 8 bytes b'3f0e3a33',
   unfinished_backup: False,
   vendor: 'trezor.io',


 

Get public node

  • Command: trezorctl get-public-node
  • Description: This command retrieves an extended public key that can be used to create a watch-only wallet.

 

  • Required option:

-n or --address

  • Example:
 
trezorctl get-public-node -n "m/44'/0'/0'/0/0"
 
  • Options:

-c or --coin

Supported coin types: Bitcoin, Testnet, Bcash, Bgold, Bitcore, Bprivate, Crown, Dash, Decred, Decred Testnet, DigiByte, Dogecoin, Feathercoin, Flashcoin, Fujicoin, Groestlcoin, Groestlcoin Testnet, Koto, Litecoin, Litecoin Testnet, Monacoin, MonetaryUnit, Pesetacoin, SmartCash, Terracoin, Vertcoin, Viacoin, Zcash, Zcash Testnet, Zcoin, Zencash

-d or --show-display

This option will display the node public key on the Trezor display.

-t or --script-type

You can specify which script type of address to use to get an xpub
 

address/segwit/p2shsegwit
 


List

  • Command: trezorctl list
  • Description: This command lists all the connected Trezor devices.


Ping

  • Command: trezorctl ping
  • Description: This command sends a ping message to the device, to check if the communication between computer and device works.
  • Example:
trezorctl ping "ahoy!"
 
  • Options:

-b or --button-protection

This option requires the user to confirm on the device that it received the ping message.

-p or --pin-protection

This option requires the user to enter PIN protection before sending the ping message to the device.

-r or --passphrase-protection

This option requires the user to enter the passphrase before sending the ping message.


Recovery device

  • Command: trezorctl recovery-device
  • Description: This command will start the safe recovery workflow of the wallet using the recovery seed.
  • Options:

-w or --words

This option lets the user choose the number of recovery seed words (12, 18 or 24 words).

-e or --expand

This option lets the user enter only the first four letters of each mnemonic word (which is sufficient for a successful recovery).

-p or --pin-protection

This option lets the user set the PIN before starting the recovery process.

  • Example
trezorctl recovery-device -p
 

-r or --passphrase-protection

This option lets the user enable passphrase protection before starting the recovery process.

-l or --label

This option lets the user name the Trezor device before starting the recovery process.

-t or --type

scrambled or matrix

This option lets the user choose between the standard (scrambled) and advanced (matrix) recovery process.

  • Example
trezorctl recovery-device -t matrix
 

-d or --dry-run

This option lets the user perform dry run recovery - check if the entered recovery seed matches the seed in the device. The result will show if the recovery seed is valid and if it matches the seed in the device. This option can be used with initialized as well as with uninitialized device.

See also: Check your recovery seed - Model One - Model T


Self test

  • Command: trezorctl self-test
  • Description: This command works only for Trezor One and in bootloader mode. It performs USB, RNG, CPU and FLASH tests. The results will show on the device screen.


Auto-lock-delay

  • Commands: trezorctl set auto-lock-delay
  • Description: This command delays the default auto-lock for a number of seconds.
  • Example
trezorctl set auto-lock-delay 86400
 


Set homescreen

  • Command: trezorctl set-homescreen
  • Description: This command lets the user change the home screen on the Trezor device.
  • Options:

-f or --filename

For Trezor Model T: The picture has to be in TOIF (Trezor optimized image format) format with a size of 144x144 pixels.

For Trezor One: The picture has to be 128x64 pixels.

For more information about how to create a home screen for Trezor One, please visit this home screen editor. For more information about the TOIF picture format, please see this GitHub page.

 

  • Example
trezorctl set-homescreen -f mynewhs.png
 


Set label

  • Command: trezorctl set-label
  • Description: This command lets the user set a new label or change the label of the Trezor device.
  • Required option:

-l or --label

  • Example: To rename your Trezor device to "Trezor Vault"
 
trezorctl set-label -l "Trezor Vault"
 


Set display rotation

  • Command: trezorctl set-display-rotatinon
  • Description: This command lets the user rotate the screen orientation in desirable direction.
  • Required options: west or north or east or south
 
trezorctl set-display-rotation west
 


Sign message

  • Command: trezorctl sign-message
  • Description: This command lets the user sign a message using the address of a given path.
  • Required option:

-n or --address

It is necessary to specify BIP32 path with sign-message command., eg. "m/44'/0'/0'/0/0"

  • Example:
 
trezorctl sign-message -n "m/44'/0'/0'/0/0" "ahoy"
 
  • Options:

-c or --coin

It is possible to specify which coin to use to sign a message. The default is "Bitcoin".

  • Example:
 
trezorctl sign-message -n "m/44'/0'/0'/0/0" -c "Litecoin" "ahoy"
 

-t or --script-type

It is possible to specify which script type of address to use to sign a message address/segwit/p2shsegwit


Verify message

  • Command: trezorctl verify-message
  • Description: This command lets the user verify a signed message using an address. After the command is executed, the device will ask the user to confirm the address and to verify the message.
  • Options:

-c or --coin

  • Usage: trezorctl verify-message [OPTIONS] ADDRESS SIGNATURE MESSAGE
  • Example:
 
trezorctl verify-message 
1aWUN65K8ecrc4yi4CnWWB76SaeB8CxHt H2cYhELO9G/NES63uARBidkkgV2ARD8nhCNWHjf+rcTmJreVi+OEfZzL7WvXn02ky62yDQmFFSgxzvaijYPA2ec= ahoy
 


Set passphrase source

trezorctl set passphrase enabled --force-on-device
  • Description: This command works only for Trezor Model T. It forces the passphrase entry always on the device. This is useful for using Trezor with wallets that can't specify where the passphrase should be entered on.
 

Trezor Safe 3 Bootloader Unlock

Command: 
 

trezorctl device unlock-bootloader
 
  • Description: Unlocks the Trezor device bootloader, allowing the installation of unsigned firmware by erasing the Optiga pairing secret. This bypasses secure element authenticity checks and is recommended only for advanced users.
 

Trezor Safe 3 Tutorial 

Command: 
trezorctl device tutorial
 
  • Description: This will trigger the Trezor Safe 3 device tutorial.