Re: [bitcoin-dev] BIP Proposal: Wallet Interface

[Shane Jonas via bitcoin-dev]

There’s a BIP to create a standard API document for the Bitcoin JSON-RPC API 
https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/pull/776

here’s an example of the generic ethereum api 
https://github.com/etclabscore/ethereum-json-rpc-specification/blob/master/openrpc.json

and another example of just the wallet interface 
https://github.com/etclabscore/signatory/blob/master/openrpc.json

here’s a live demo with interactive documentation:

https://playground.open-rpc.org/?schemaUrl=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/etclabscore/ethereum-json-rpc-specification/master/openrpc.json

Creating a standard api document like this makes it a lot easier to build dev 
tools and documentation.

I’d love to help document the bitcoin JSON-RPC API, let me know how I can help.

> On Dec 23, 2020, at 6:15 PM, Erik Aronesty via bitcoin-dev 
>  wrote:
> 
> Obviously Bitcoin has a wallet api, intermingled with other protocol APIs:
> 
> https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Original_Bitcoin_client/API_calls_list
> 
> For security, a standard wallet API should write a token/port to a
> local file where the user can grab that token and use it (that's
> basically how the existing bitcoind does it, with a username/password
> living in a file... not as nice as a token/port, IMO)
> 
> Probably any such standards document should do its best to be
> compatible with the existing APIs that so many are already familiar
> with.   Or maybe I misunderstand the proposal.
> 
> - Erik
> 
>> On Tue, Dec 22, 2020 at 9:48 AM monokh via bitcoin-dev
>>  wrote:
>> 
>> Hi
>> 
>> This is a first draft of a BIP we intend to submit. The main intention is to 
>> define a simple interface that wallets and applications can agree on that 
>> would cover the vast majority of use cases. This can enable writing bitcoin 
>> applications (e.g. time lock, multi sig) on the web that can be seamlessly 
>> used with any compatible wallets. We have implementations of such examples 
>> but I don't want to turn this thread into a promotion and rather focus on 
>> the spec.
>> 
>> Appreciate input from the list. Please share if there are existing efforts, 
>> relevant specs or use cases.
>> 
>> --
>> 
>> A wallet interface specification for bitcoin applications
>> 
>> ## Abstract
>> 
>> This BIP describes an API for Bitcoin wallets and applications as a standard.
>> 
>> ## Summary
>> 
>> Bitcoin wallets should expose their address derivation and signing functions 
>> to external applications. The interface would be expressed as follows in 
>> javascript:
>> 
>> ```
>> {
>> // Wallet Metadata
>> wallet: {
>> name: 'Bitcoin Core'
>> },
>> 
>> // Request access to the wallet for the current host
>> async enable: (),
>> 
>> // Request addresses and signatures from wallet
>> async request ({ method, params })
>> }
>> ```
>> 
>> In the web context the interface could be exposed at the top level of a 
>> webpage, for example under `window.bitcoin`. However this spec does not 
>> intend to define any standards for how and where the interfaces should be 
>> exposed.
>> 
>> ## Motivation
>> 
>> Due to the seldom available APIs exposed by wallets, applications (web or 
>> otherwise) are limited in how they are able to interact. Generally only 
>> simple sends have been available. A more robust API that introduces other 
>> requests will promote richer Bitcoin applications.
>> 
>> Additionally, wallet APIs have frequently included inconsistencies in their 
>> interfaces and behaviour. This has required applications to build and 
>> maintain a separate client for each wallet, increasing the risk of bugs and 
>> unintended behaviour as well as being a limiting factor for the adoption of 
>> usable bitcoin applications.
>> 
>> With a standardised wallet API:
>> 
>> - Wallets have a clear API to implement
>> - Applications have a clear expectation of wallet interface and behaviour
>> - Applications become agnostic to the wallet specifics, increasing choice 
>> for users
>> 
>> If more wallets implement the specification, applications will be developed 
>> more confidently by benefiting from the wallet interoperability. This 
>> creates a positive feedback loop.
>> 
>> ## Specification
>> 
>> For simplicity, the interface is defined in the context of web applications 
>> running in the browser (JS) however, they are simple enough to be easily 
>> implemented in other contexts.
>> 
>> ### General Rules
>> 
>> - For sensitive functions (e.g. signing), wallet software should always 
>> prompt the user for confirmation
>> 
>> ### Types
>> 
>> **UserDeniedError**
>> An error type indicating that the application's request has been denied by 
>> the user
>> Type: Error
>> 
>> **Hex**
>> Type: String
>> Example: `"000a24677957d1e50d70e67c513d220dbe8868c4c3aefc08"`
>> 
>> **Address**
>> Address details
>> Type: Object
>> Example:
>> 
>> ```
>> {
>> "address": "bc1qn0fqlzamcfuahq6xuujrq08ex7e26agt20gexs",
>> "publicKey": 
>> 

Re: [bitcoin-dev] BIP Proposal: Wallet Interface

[Aymeric Vitte via bitcoin-dev]

Resending to the list since I am using a different email

Complement: if anonymity is required from the browser (or elsewhere) you
might consider looking at https://github.com/Ayms/node-Tor too


Le 24/12/2020 à 20:40, Aymeric Vitte a écrit :
>
> You might want to take a look at: https://peersm.com/wallet
>
> And https://github.com/Ayms/bitcoin-transactions
>
> "wallet" is not the very correct word, it's more bitcoin cli outside
> of bitcoin core but for now not linked to an explorer/tx system which
> makes it probably still not so easy to use for the transactions part
> (which can be extended to lightning, etc)
>
> The idea is to propose to people most of the tools they need to manage
> their coins by themselves, or at least understand better what they are
> doing
>
> "People should not be encouraged to write or use web browsers for
> their wallet." --> yes and no, please crack the standalone webapp
> above, so it's finally a no when things are done correctly, of course
> there is no story of keys storage inside browsers or online stuff with
> keys
>
> Maybe this can be turned one day into a w3c api like webcrypto
> (window.bitcoin as you sketch)
>
> Le 23/12/2020 à 08:29, monokh via bitcoin-dev a écrit :
>> Thanks for the input Luke.
>>
>> > 1) People should not be encouraged to write or use web browsers for
>> their wallet.
>>
>> Indeed. Holding keys in the browser can be very insecure, however the
>> spec is not limited to this. I will amend to make this clear. The
>> same interface can be used to communicate from a web context or even
>> desktop application with hardware wallets where keys are segregated
>> safely. The prominent hardware wallets already have such an
>> interface. Unfortunately as there has been no standardisation, an
>> application must specifically provide an implementation for each
>> wallet to be compatible.
>>
>> > 2) You may want to look over earlier work in this area.
>>
>> Please share if you have specifics in mind. What has been considered
>> were mainly hardware wallet apis. The requests have been defined such
>> that they would be compatible. I will make references to such
>> considerations in the text. I welcome any feedback on what may be
>> missing or problematic for these providers - something I will also
>> pursue outwith the thread.
>>
>> -monokh 
>>
>> On Wed, Dec 23, 2020 at 2:15 AM Luke Dashjr > > wrote:
>>
>> 1) People should not be encouraged to write or use web browsers
>> for their
>> wallet.
>> 2) You may want to look over earlier work in this area.
>>
>> On Tuesday 22 December 2020 14:43:11 monokh via bitcoin-dev wrote:
>> > Hi
>> >
>> > This is a first draft of a BIP we intend to submit. The main
>> intention is
>> > to define a simple interface that wallets and applications can
>> agree on
>> > that would cover the vast majority of use cases. This can
>> enable writing
>> > bitcoin applications (e.g. time lock, multi sig) on the web
>> that can be
>> > seamlessly used with any compatible wallets. We have
>> implementations of
>> > such examples but I don't want to turn this thread into a
>> promotion and
>> > rather focus on the spec.
>> >
>> > Appreciate input from the list. Please share if there are
>> existing efforts,
>> > relevant specs or use cases.
>> >
>> > --
>> >
>> > A wallet interface specification for bitcoin applications
>> >
>> > ## Abstract
>> >
>> > This BIP describes an API for Bitcoin wallets and applications as a
>> > standard.
>> >
>> > ## Summary
>> >
>> > Bitcoin wallets should expose their address derivation and signing
>> > functions to external applications. The interface would be
>> expressed as
>> > follows in javascript:
>> >
>> > ```
>> > {
>> > // Wallet Metadata
>> > wallet: {
>> > name: 'Bitcoin Core'
>> > },
>> >
>> > // Request access to the wallet for the current host
>> > async enable: (),
>> >
>> > // Request addresses and signatures from wallet
>> > async request ({ method, params })
>> > }
>> > ```
>> >
>> > In the web context the interface could be exposed at the top
>> level of a
>> > webpage, for example under `window.bitcoin`. However this spec
>> does not
>> > intend to define any standards for how and where the interfaces
>> should be
>> > exposed.
>> >
>> > ## Motivation
>> >
>> > Due to the seldom available APIs exposed by wallets,
>> applications (web or
>> > otherwise) are limited in how they are able to interact.
>> Generally only
>> > simple sends have been available. A more robust API that
>> introduces other
>> > requests will promote richer Bitcoin applications.
>> >
>> > Additionally, wallet APIs have frequently included
>> inconsistencies in their
>>   

Re: [bitcoin-dev] BIP Proposal: Wallet Interface

[Erik Aronesty via bitcoin-dev]

Obviously Bitcoin has a wallet api, intermingled with other protocol APIs:

https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Original_Bitcoin_client/API_calls_list

For security, a standard wallet API should write a token/port to a
local file where the user can grab that token and use it (that's
basically how the existing bitcoind does it, with a username/password
living in a file... not as nice as a token/port, IMO)

Probably any such standards document should do its best to be
compatible with the existing APIs that so many are already familiar
with.   Or maybe I misunderstand the proposal.

- Erik

On Tue, Dec 22, 2020 at 9:48 AM monokh via bitcoin-dev
 wrote:
>
> Hi
>
> This is a first draft of a BIP we intend to submit. The main intention is to 
> define a simple interface that wallets and applications can agree on that 
> would cover the vast majority of use cases. This can enable writing bitcoin 
> applications (e.g. time lock, multi sig) on the web that can be seamlessly 
> used with any compatible wallets. We have implementations of such examples 
> but I don't want to turn this thread into a promotion and rather focus on the 
> spec.
>
> Appreciate input from the list. Please share if there are existing efforts, 
> relevant specs or use cases.
>
> --
>
> A wallet interface specification for bitcoin applications
>
> ## Abstract
>
> This BIP describes an API for Bitcoin wallets and applications as a standard.
>
> ## Summary
>
> Bitcoin wallets should expose their address derivation and signing functions 
> to external applications. The interface would be expressed as follows in 
> javascript:
>
> ```
> {
> // Wallet Metadata
> wallet: {
> name: 'Bitcoin Core'
> },
>
> // Request access to the wallet for the current host
> async enable: (),
>
> // Request addresses and signatures from wallet
> async request ({ method, params })
> }
> ```
>
> In the web context the interface could be exposed at the top level of a 
> webpage, for example under `window.bitcoin`. However this spec does not 
> intend to define any standards for how and where the interfaces should be 
> exposed.
>
> ## Motivation
>
> Due to the seldom available APIs exposed by wallets, applications (web or 
> otherwise) are limited in how they are able to interact. Generally only 
> simple sends have been available. A more robust API that introduces other 
> requests will promote richer Bitcoin applications.
>
> Additionally, wallet APIs have frequently included inconsistencies in their 
> interfaces and behaviour. This has required applications to build and 
> maintain a separate client for each wallet, increasing the risk of bugs and 
> unintended behaviour as well as being a limiting factor for the adoption of 
> usable bitcoin applications.
>
> With a standardised wallet API:
>
> - Wallets have a clear API to implement
> - Applications have a clear expectation of wallet interface and behaviour
> - Applications become agnostic to the wallet specifics, increasing choice for 
> users
>
> If more wallets implement the specification, applications will be developed 
> more confidently by benefiting from the wallet interoperability. This creates 
> a positive feedback loop.
>
> ## Specification
>
> For simplicity, the interface is defined in the context of web applications 
> running in the browser (JS) however, they are simple enough to be easily 
> implemented in other contexts.
>
> ### General Rules
>
> - For sensitive functions (e.g. signing), wallet software should always 
> prompt the user for confirmation
>
> ### Types
>
> **UserDeniedError**
> An error type indicating that the application's request has been denied by 
> the user
> Type: Error
>
> **Hex**
> Type: String
> Example: `"000a24677957d1e50d70e67c513d220dbe8868c4c3aefc08"`
>
> **Address**
> Address details
> Type: Object
> Example:
>
> ```
> {
> "address": "bc1qn0fqlzamcfuahq6xuujrq08ex7e26agt20gexs",
> "publicKey": 
> "02ad58c0dced71a236f4073c3b6f0ee27dde6fe96978e9a9c9500172e3f1886e5a",
> "derivationPath": "84'/1'/0'/0/0"
> }
> ```
>
> ### API
>
> The wallet must implement the following methods.
>
> **enable**
>
> The enable call prompts the user for access to the wallet.
>
> If successful, it resolves to an address (`**Address**` type) of the wallet. 
> Typically the first external address to be used as an identity.
>
> **`UserDeniedError`** will be thrown if the request is rejected.
>
> **request**
>
> The request method must take one parameter in the following format:
>
> ```
> {
> "method": "wallet_methodName",
> "params": ["foo", "bar", "baz"]
> }
> ```
>
> For a list of mandatory methods see Table
>
> The wallet should reject request calls unless `enable` has been resolved.
>
> Sensitive requests that involve signing should always prompt the user for 
> confirmation
>
> On success the request should resolve to the response as defined in the 
> method table.
>
> **`UserDeniedError`** will be thrown if the request is rejected.
>
> **Mandatory 

Re: [bitcoin-dev] BIP Proposal: Wallet Interface

[Omar Shibli via bitcoin-dev]

That's a great idea, in traditional banking there are wide initiatives to
standardize components between different actors, most widely used is Open
Banking , i think regardless of the usage, it could be hardware or
software, there is a big value in standrizating communications between
different components.

Here is more info about Open Banking:
https://fin.plaid.com/articles/what-is-the-open-banking-standard/#:~:text=The%20Open%20Banking%20Standard%20relies,data%20through%20their%20bank%20accounts

On Wed, Dec 23, 2020 at 10:42 AM monokh via bitcoin-dev <
bitcoin-dev@lists.linuxfoundation.org> wrote:

> Thanks for the input Luke.
>
> > 1) People should not be encouraged to write or use web browsers for
> their wallet.
>
> Indeed. Holding keys in the browser can be very insecure, however the spec
> is not limited to this. I will amend to make this clear. The same interface
> can be used to communicate from a web context or even desktop application
> with hardware wallets where keys are segregated safely. The prominent
> hardware wallets already have such an interface. Unfortunately as there has
> been no standardisation, an application must specifically provide an
> implementation for each wallet to be compatible.
>
> > 2) You may want to look over earlier work in this area.
>
> Please share if you have specifics in mind. What has been considered were
> mainly hardware wallet apis. The requests have been defined such that they
> would be compatible. I will make references to such considerations in the
> text. I welcome any feedback on what may be missing or problematic for
> these providers - something I will also pursue outwith the thread.
>
> -monokh
>
> On Wed, Dec 23, 2020 at 2:15 AM Luke Dashjr  wrote:
>
>> 1) People should not be encouraged to write or use web browsers for their
>> wallet.
>> 2) You may want to look over earlier work in this area.
>>
>> On Tuesday 22 December 2020 14:43:11 monokh via bitcoin-dev wrote:
>> > Hi
>> >
>> > This is a first draft of a BIP we intend to submit. The main intention
>> is
>> > to define a simple interface that wallets and applications can agree on
>> > that would cover the vast majority of use cases. This can enable writing
>> > bitcoin applications (e.g. time lock, multi sig) on the web that can be
>> > seamlessly used with any compatible wallets. We have implementations of
>> > such examples but I don't want to turn this thread into a promotion and
>> > rather focus on the spec.
>> >
>> > Appreciate input from the list. Please share if there are existing
>> efforts,
>> > relevant specs or use cases.
>> >
>> > --
>> >
>> > A wallet interface specification for bitcoin applications
>> >
>> > ## Abstract
>> >
>> > This BIP describes an API for Bitcoin wallets and applications as a
>> > standard.
>> >
>> > ## Summary
>> >
>> > Bitcoin wallets should expose their address derivation and signing
>> > functions to external applications. The interface would be expressed as
>> > follows in javascript:
>> >
>> > ```
>> > {
>> > // Wallet Metadata
>> > wallet: {
>> > name: 'Bitcoin Core'
>> > },
>> >
>> > // Request access to the wallet for the current host
>> > async enable: (),
>> >
>> > // Request addresses and signatures from wallet
>> > async request ({ method, params })
>> > }
>> > ```
>> >
>> > In the web context the interface could be exposed at the top level of a
>> > webpage, for example under `window.bitcoin`. However this spec does not
>> > intend to define any standards for how and where the interfaces should
>> be
>> > exposed.
>> >
>> > ## Motivation
>> >
>> > Due to the seldom available APIs exposed by wallets, applications (web
>> or
>> > otherwise) are limited in how they are able to interact. Generally only
>> > simple sends have been available. A more robust API that introduces
>> other
>> > requests will promote richer Bitcoin applications.
>> >
>> > Additionally, wallet APIs have frequently included inconsistencies in
>> their
>> > interfaces and behaviour. This has required applications to build and
>> > maintain a separate client for each wallet, increasing the risk of bugs
>> and
>> > unintended behaviour as well as being a limiting factor for the
>> adoption of
>> > usable bitcoin applications.
>> >
>> > With a standardised wallet API:
>> >
>> > - Wallets have a clear API to implement
>> > - Applications have a clear expectation of wallet interface and
>> behaviour
>> > - Applications become agnostic to the wallet specifics, increasing
>> choice
>> > for users
>> >
>> > If more wallets implement the specification, applications will be
>> developed
>> > more confidently by benefiting from the wallet interoperability. This
>> > creates a positive feedback loop.
>> >
>> > ## Specification
>> >
>> > For simplicity, the interface is defined in the context of web
>> applications
>> > running in the browser (JS) however, they are simple enough to be easily
>> > implemented in other contexts.
>> >
>> > ### General Rules
>> >

Re: [bitcoin-dev] BIP Proposal: Wallet Interface

[monokh via bitcoin-dev]

Thanks for the input Luke.

> 1) People should not be encouraged to write or use web browsers for their
wallet.

Indeed. Holding keys in the browser can be very insecure, however the spec
is not limited to this. I will amend to make this clear. The same interface
can be used to communicate from a web context or even desktop application
with hardware wallets where keys are segregated safely. The prominent
hardware wallets already have such an interface. Unfortunately as there has
been no standardisation, an application must specifically provide an
implementation for each wallet to be compatible.

> 2) You may want to look over earlier work in this area.

Please share if you have specifics in mind. What has been considered were
mainly hardware wallet apis. The requests have been defined such that they
would be compatible. I will make references to such considerations in the
text. I welcome any feedback on what may be missing or problematic for
these providers - something I will also pursue outwith the thread.

-monokh

On Wed, Dec 23, 2020 at 2:15 AM Luke Dashjr  wrote:

> 1) People should not be encouraged to write or use web browsers for their
> wallet.
> 2) You may want to look over earlier work in this area.
>
> On Tuesday 22 December 2020 14:43:11 monokh via bitcoin-dev wrote:
> > Hi
> >
> > This is a first draft of a BIP we intend to submit. The main intention is
> > to define a simple interface that wallets and applications can agree on
> > that would cover the vast majority of use cases. This can enable writing
> > bitcoin applications (e.g. time lock, multi sig) on the web that can be
> > seamlessly used with any compatible wallets. We have implementations of
> > such examples but I don't want to turn this thread into a promotion and
> > rather focus on the spec.
> >
> > Appreciate input from the list. Please share if there are existing
> efforts,
> > relevant specs or use cases.
> >
> > --
> >
> > A wallet interface specification for bitcoin applications
> >
> > ## Abstract
> >
> > This BIP describes an API for Bitcoin wallets and applications as a
> > standard.
> >
> > ## Summary
> >
> > Bitcoin wallets should expose their address derivation and signing
> > functions to external applications. The interface would be expressed as
> > follows in javascript:
> >
> > ```
> > {
> > // Wallet Metadata
> > wallet: {
> > name: 'Bitcoin Core'
> > },
> >
> > // Request access to the wallet for the current host
> > async enable: (),
> >
> > // Request addresses and signatures from wallet
> > async request ({ method, params })
> > }
> > ```
> >
> > In the web context the interface could be exposed at the top level of a
> > webpage, for example under `window.bitcoin`. However this spec does not
> > intend to define any standards for how and where the interfaces should be
> > exposed.
> >
> > ## Motivation
> >
> > Due to the seldom available APIs exposed by wallets, applications (web or
> > otherwise) are limited in how they are able to interact. Generally only
> > simple sends have been available. A more robust API that introduces other
> > requests will promote richer Bitcoin applications.
> >
> > Additionally, wallet APIs have frequently included inconsistencies in
> their
> > interfaces and behaviour. This has required applications to build and
> > maintain a separate client for each wallet, increasing the risk of bugs
> and
> > unintended behaviour as well as being a limiting factor for the adoption
> of
> > usable bitcoin applications.
> >
> > With a standardised wallet API:
> >
> > - Wallets have a clear API to implement
> > - Applications have a clear expectation of wallet interface and behaviour
> > - Applications become agnostic to the wallet specifics, increasing choice
> > for users
> >
> > If more wallets implement the specification, applications will be
> developed
> > more confidently by benefiting from the wallet interoperability. This
> > creates a positive feedback loop.
> >
> > ## Specification
> >
> > For simplicity, the interface is defined in the context of web
> applications
> > running in the browser (JS) however, they are simple enough to be easily
> > implemented in other contexts.
> >
> > ### General Rules
> >
> > - For sensitive functions (e.g. signing), wallet software should always
> > prompt the user for confirmation
> >
> > ### Types
> >
> > **UserDeniedError**
> > An error type indicating that the application's request has been denied
> by
> > the user
> > Type: Error
> >
> > **Hex**
> > Type: String
> > Example:
> > `"000a24677957d1e50d70e67c513d220dbe8868c4c3aefc08"`
> >
> > **Address**
> > Address details
> > Type: Object
> > Example:
> >
> > ```
> > {
> > "address": "bc1qn0fqlzamcfuahq6xuujrq08ex7e26agt20gexs",
> > "publicKey":
> > "02ad58c0dced71a236f4073c3b6f0ee27dde6fe96978e9a9c9500172e3f1886e5a",
> > "derivationPath": "84'/1'/0'/0/0"
> > }
> > ```
> >
> > ### API
> >
> > The wallet must implement the following methods.
> >
> > 

Re: [bitcoin-dev] BIP Proposal: Wallet Interface

[Luke Dashjr via bitcoin-dev]

1) People should not be encouraged to write or use web browsers for their 
wallet.
2) You may want to look over earlier work in this area.

On Tuesday 22 December 2020 14:43:11 monokh via bitcoin-dev wrote:
> Hi
>
> This is a first draft of a BIP we intend to submit. The main intention is
> to define a simple interface that wallets and applications can agree on
> that would cover the vast majority of use cases. This can enable writing
> bitcoin applications (e.g. time lock, multi sig) on the web that can be
> seamlessly used with any compatible wallets. We have implementations of
> such examples but I don't want to turn this thread into a promotion and
> rather focus on the spec.
>
> Appreciate input from the list. Please share if there are existing efforts,
> relevant specs or use cases.
>
> --
>
> A wallet interface specification for bitcoin applications
>
> ## Abstract
>
> This BIP describes an API for Bitcoin wallets and applications as a
> standard.
>
> ## Summary
>
> Bitcoin wallets should expose their address derivation and signing
> functions to external applications. The interface would be expressed as
> follows in javascript:
>
> ```
> {
> // Wallet Metadata
> wallet: {
> name: 'Bitcoin Core'
> },
>
> // Request access to the wallet for the current host
> async enable: (),
>
> // Request addresses and signatures from wallet
> async request ({ method, params })
> }
> ```
>
> In the web context the interface could be exposed at the top level of a
> webpage, for example under `window.bitcoin`. However this spec does not
> intend to define any standards for how and where the interfaces should be
> exposed.
>
> ## Motivation
>
> Due to the seldom available APIs exposed by wallets, applications (web or
> otherwise) are limited in how they are able to interact. Generally only
> simple sends have been available. A more robust API that introduces other
> requests will promote richer Bitcoin applications.
>
> Additionally, wallet APIs have frequently included inconsistencies in their
> interfaces and behaviour. This has required applications to build and
> maintain a separate client for each wallet, increasing the risk of bugs and
> unintended behaviour as well as being a limiting factor for the adoption of
> usable bitcoin applications.
>
> With a standardised wallet API:
>
> - Wallets have a clear API to implement
> - Applications have a clear expectation of wallet interface and behaviour
> - Applications become agnostic to the wallet specifics, increasing choice
> for users
>
> If more wallets implement the specification, applications will be developed
> more confidently by benefiting from the wallet interoperability. This
> creates a positive feedback loop.
>
> ## Specification
>
> For simplicity, the interface is defined in the context of web applications
> running in the browser (JS) however, they are simple enough to be easily
> implemented in other contexts.
>
> ### General Rules
>
> - For sensitive functions (e.g. signing), wallet software should always
> prompt the user for confirmation
>
> ### Types
>
> **UserDeniedError**
> An error type indicating that the application's request has been denied by
> the user
> Type: Error
>
> **Hex**
> Type: String
> Example:
> `"000a24677957d1e50d70e67c513d220dbe8868c4c3aefc08"`
>
> **Address**
> Address details
> Type: Object
> Example:
>
> ```
> {
> "address": "bc1qn0fqlzamcfuahq6xuujrq08ex7e26agt20gexs",
> "publicKey":
> "02ad58c0dced71a236f4073c3b6f0ee27dde6fe96978e9a9c9500172e3f1886e5a",
> "derivationPath": "84'/1'/0'/0/0"
> }
> ```
>
> ### API
>
> The wallet must implement the following methods.
>
> **enable**
>
> The enable call prompts the user for access to the wallet.
>
> If successful, it resolves to an address (`**Address**` type) of the
> wallet. Typically the first external address to be used as an identity.
>
> **`UserDeniedError`** will be thrown if the request is rejected.
>
> **request**
>
> The request method must take one parameter in the following format:
>
> ```
> {
> "method": "wallet_methodName",
> "params": ["foo", "bar", "baz"]
> }
> ```
>
> For a list of mandatory methods see Table
>
> The wallet should reject request calls unless `enable` has been resolved.
>
> Sensitive requests that involve signing should always prompt the user for
> confirmation
>
> On success the request should resolve to the response as defined in the
> method table.
>
> **`UserDeniedError`** will be thrown if the request is rejected.
>
> **Mandatory methods**
>
> method: `wallet_getAddresses` params: [`index = 0, numAddresses = 1, change
> = false`]
> return: `[ Address ]`
> error: UserDeniedError
>
> method: `wallet_signMessage` params: `[ message, address ]`
> return: Signature `Hex`
> error: UserDeniedError
>
> method: `wallet_signPSBT` params: `[ [psbtBase64, inputIndex, address] ]`
> return: `psbtBase64`
> error: UserDeniedError
>
> method: `wallet_getConnectedNetwork` params: `[]`
> return: Network object 

[bitcoin-dev] BIP Proposal: Wallet Interface

[monokh via bitcoin-dev]

Hi

This is a first draft of a BIP we intend to submit. The main intention is
to define a simple interface that wallets and applications can agree on
that would cover the vast majority of use cases. This can enable writing
bitcoin applications (e.g. time lock, multi sig) on the web that can be
seamlessly used with any compatible wallets. We have implementations of
such examples but I don't want to turn this thread into a promotion and
rather focus on the spec.

Appreciate input from the list. Please share if there are existing efforts,
relevant specs or use cases.

--

A wallet interface specification for bitcoin applications

## Abstract

This BIP describes an API for Bitcoin wallets and applications as a
standard.

## Summary

Bitcoin wallets should expose their address derivation and signing
functions to external applications. The interface would be expressed as
follows in javascript:

```
{
// Wallet Metadata
wallet: {
name: 'Bitcoin Core'
},

// Request access to the wallet for the current host
async enable: (),

// Request addresses and signatures from wallet
async request ({ method, params })
}
```

In the web context the interface could be exposed at the top level of a
webpage, for example under `window.bitcoin`. However this spec does not
intend to define any standards for how and where the interfaces should be
exposed.

## Motivation

Due to the seldom available APIs exposed by wallets, applications (web or
otherwise) are limited in how they are able to interact. Generally only
simple sends have been available. A more robust API that introduces other
requests will promote richer Bitcoin applications.

Additionally, wallet APIs have frequently included inconsistencies in their
interfaces and behaviour. This has required applications to build and
maintain a separate client for each wallet, increasing the risk of bugs and
unintended behaviour as well as being a limiting factor for the adoption of
usable bitcoin applications.

With a standardised wallet API:

- Wallets have a clear API to implement
- Applications have a clear expectation of wallet interface and behaviour
- Applications become agnostic to the wallet specifics, increasing choice
for users

If more wallets implement the specification, applications will be developed
more confidently by benefiting from the wallet interoperability. This
creates a positive feedback loop.

## Specification

For simplicity, the interface is defined in the context of web applications
running in the browser (JS) however, they are simple enough to be easily
implemented in other contexts.

### General Rules

- For sensitive functions (e.g. signing), wallet software should always
prompt the user for confirmation

### Types

**UserDeniedError**
An error type indicating that the application's request has been denied by
the user
Type: Error

**Hex**
Type: String
Example:
`"000a24677957d1e50d70e67c513d220dbe8868c4c3aefc08"`

**Address**
Address details
Type: Object
Example:

```
{
"address": "bc1qn0fqlzamcfuahq6xuujrq08ex7e26agt20gexs",
"publicKey":
"02ad58c0dced71a236f4073c3b6f0ee27dde6fe96978e9a9c9500172e3f1886e5a",
"derivationPath": "84'/1'/0'/0/0"
}
```

### API

The wallet must implement the following methods.

**enable**

The enable call prompts the user for access to the wallet.

If successful, it resolves to an address (`**Address**` type) of the
wallet. Typically the first external address to be used as an identity.

**`UserDeniedError`** will be thrown if the request is rejected.

**request**

The request method must take one parameter in the following format:

```
{
"method": "wallet_methodName",
"params": ["foo", "bar", "baz"]
}
```

For a list of mandatory methods see Table

The wallet should reject request calls unless `enable` has been resolved.

Sensitive requests that involve signing should always prompt the user for
confirmation

On success the request should resolve to the response as defined in the
method table.

**`UserDeniedError`** will be thrown if the request is rejected.

**Mandatory methods**

method: `wallet_getAddresses` params: [`index = 0, numAddresses = 1, change
= false`]
return: `[ Address ]`
error: UserDeniedError

method: `wallet_signMessage` params: `[ message, address ]`
return: Signature `Hex`
error: UserDeniedError

method: `wallet_signPSBT` params: `[ [psbtBase64, inputIndex, address] ]`
return: `psbtBase64`
error: UserDeniedError

method: `wallet_getConnectedNetwork` params: `[]`
return: Network object `mainnet` | `testnet` | `regetst`
error: UserDeniedError

## Rationale

The purpose of the API is to expose a set of commonly used wallet
operations. In addition, it should be flexible enough to serve for other
requests such as node RPC calls.

**Why is there a singular request call instead of named methods?**
The transport layer for the requests cannot be assumed, therefore it is
much more flexible to instead define an abstract format.

**Why are the mandatory methods so primitive?