Why build with Ledger Live?
Ledger Live has become a trusted entry point for millions of hardware-wallet users. For developers, integrating with Ledger Live and the Ledger ecosystem gives you:
- Secure key management via hardware-backed attestations.
- Access to a large user base of crypto holders.
- Standardized APIs and SDKs that simplify common wallet actions (signing, transaction construction, account discovery).
- Robust documentation, examples and an active developer community.
Getting started: overview of the Developer Portal
The Developer Portal is your hub for API references, SDK downloads, sample code, and security guidelines. Whether you want to build a companion app, exchange integrations, or browser-based wallet flows, this portal organizes resources into easy-to-follow paths.
Core components you will use
Ledger SDKs & Tooling
Ledger provides SDKs for multiple platforms and languages (TypeScript, Rust, Python, etc.). The SDKs take care of device communication (USB/HID/BLE) and low-level APDU messaging so you can focus on app logic.
API Documentation
The API docs include endpoints for transaction building, broadcast patterns, and suggested fee estimation. Read the docs early to understand any rate limits, auth patterns, and best practices around data sensitivity.
Developer Dashboard
A developer dashboard often offers API keys, webhook setup, client app registration, and analytics. Use it to register your callback URLs and to manage environments (sandbox vs production).
First steps — environment & prerequisites
Before you write a single line of code, prepare:
- A Ledger device (Ledger Nano S Plus, Ledger Nano X, etc.) for holistic testing.
- Ledger Live installed on your machine for user flows and app testing.
- Node.js (for web and CLI tools), or a language runtime of your choice for SDKs.
- Familiarity with BIP32/BIP44 derivation and common transaction formats (e.g., UTXO vs account-based).
Set up your local workspace
// quick start: initialize a TypeScript project for Ledger integration
mkdir ledger-demo
cd ledger-demo
npm init -y
npm install @ledgerhq/hw-transport-node-hid @ledgerhq/hw-app-eth typescript --save
Connect safely to your device
Test device communication in a secure, offline-minded workflow. Never embed private keys or seed phrases in your code. Ledger devices only expose signing operations — private keys remain on-device.
Common developer flows
1. Account discovery
Implement account discovery using deterministic derivation paths (BIP44/BIP84 etc.). Query and show accounts, balances, and whether they are empty. Typical UX is "scan/restore accounts" with progress indicators.
2. Transaction construction & signing
Build transactions in your backend or client, present a summary to the user, then send a signing request to the device. Keep the signed payload verification chainable and auditable.
// pseudo: request a signature using the Ledger SDK
const transport = await TransportNodeHid.create();
const eth = new Eth(transport);
const path = "44'/60'/0'/0/0";
const result = await eth.getAddress(path, false, true);
console.log("address:", result.address);
// build tx then call eth.signTransaction(...)
3. Broadcast & confirm
After a device returns a signature, assemble the final transaction and broadcast it via your chosen node or a public RPC provider. Provide the user with a link to transaction explorers and implement background polling or webhooks.
4. App validation (for Ledger app store)
If you plan to list an application that interacts with Ledger hardware, follow the submission guidelines. This includes code review, security checks, and signing of your app bundle if required.
Security best practices
Security is paramount. The device protects the root seed — but your integration adds layers that must be hardened.
Never collect seed phrases
Design UX so users never supply their seed to your service. If a user asks for a seed, treat it as a red flag and display educational warnings.
Use hardware-attestation when available
Advanced integrations can verify device firmware and attest to key provenance. Use attestation to reduce phishing risk and to improve trust during onboarding.
Limit surface area and permission scopes
Request minimal permissions and clearly display what actions require device confirmation (e.g., contract data, display amounts, recipient address).
Testing strategies
Unit & integration tests
Mock device responses for unit tests. For integration tests, run against a testnet and a physical device to ensure the end-to-end signing flow works under real conditions.
Fuzz & fault testing
Introduce malformed payloads and confirm your app fails safely — never arrive at ambiguous device prompts that could mislead users.
QA checklists
- Verify derivation path correctness across account types.
- Confirm gas/fee estimation matches network conditions.
- Test address verification flow against adversarial UI conditions.
UX patterns for safe wallet interactions
Clear payment confirmation screens
Display amount, asset symbol, and exact destination address. Use checksums or address short-hand only as an addition — never a replacement for full address verification.
Progress & failure handling
Offer clear progress indicators during signing and broadcasting. If a hardware connection fails, show actionable steps (e.g., reconnect device, unlock device, open Ledger Live).
Accessibility
Make your app accessible: keyboard navigation, high-contrast themes, and support for screen-readers. Ledger users come from many backgrounds — inclusivity matters.
Examples & code snippets
Minimal TypeScript flow
// Example: fetch address & request signature (simplified)
import TransportNodeHid from "@ledgerhq/hw-transport-node-hid";
import AppEth from "@ledgerhq/hw-app-eth";
async function signSample() {
const transport = await TransportNodeHid.create();
const eth = new AppEth(transport);
const path = "44'/60'/0'/0/0";
const address = (await eth.getAddress(path)).address;
console.log("address", address);
// After constructing txHex:
// const signed = await eth.signTransaction(path, txHex);
// assemble and broadcast...
}
Web (WebHID / WebUSB) notes
Browser-based flows may use WebHID or WebUSB and require explicit user permission. Use Ledger’s recommended libraries to abstract platform differences.
Troubleshooting common issues
Device not detected
Check cable/port, ensure device is unlocked, confirm Ledger Live or other software is not blocking access (some OS-level permissions prevent HID access).
Signature rejects on device
Validate transaction payloads for length and format. Some chains require special encoding or hardware app-specific formatting.
Transactions failing after broadcast
Double-check fee estimation and chain parameters (chainId, nonce). Use testnets for trial runs before production usage.
Publishing & lifecycle
Maintaining app compatibility
Blockchain protocols evolve. Monitor SDK updates, firmware advisories, and release notes that may require signing or derivation adjustments.
Versioning & changelogs
Keep a visible changelog for your integration and clearly mark breaking changes. Communicate with your users when upgrades require device or UX changes.
Business & compliance considerations
Depending on your product, you may need to handle KYC/AML, privacy notices, and data retention rules. Treat cryptographic keys and transaction history as sensitive user data.
Data minimization
Store only what’s necessary for service delivery. Anonymize logs where possible and expire cached data that can compromise user privacy.
Legal & regulatory
Consult legal experts for jurisdiction-specific regulations. Ledger supplies security tooling but does not replace legal compliance.
Next steps & roadmap for developers
Start small: implement account discovery and a read-only dashboard. Then add signing flows, broadcast features, and advanced attestation. Iterate with frequent security reviews.
Join the community
Contribute to GitHub repos, open issues with reproducible examples, and participate in community forums. Collaboration speeds up robust and secure integrations.