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Lightning Common Structures

structureslightning_common_structures

This object represents the number of blocks required for an on-chain lightning-related transaction to be confirmed. It is used for estimating the transaction fee rate (feerate) for different transaction types in the context of permissionless transactions performed by the node. Different target types are background, normal, and high_priority.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
background*
integer
Used for transactions that can tolerate slower confirmation times when the transaction fee rate decreases. These transactions are not time-sensitive and can afford to wait longer for confirmation. The recommended range is 12 to 144 blocks to ensure a low feerate.
high_priority*
integer
Used for transactions that require quick confirmation to prevent potential loss of funds (e.g. redeeming a Hashed Time Lock Contract (HTLC) on the blockchain before it times out). These transactions are time-critical and must be confirmed promptly to ensure the security of funds. Recommended value for high_priority is 1-2 blocks to ensure a high feerate.
normal*
integer
Used for transactions that we want to confirm promptly, without significant delay (e.g, transactions for opening payment channels). These transactions are important but not critical. Suggested value is 6 blocks to ensure a moderate feerate.

Using the recommended values in the above table with a coin that has a block time of 10 minutes, the equivalent time in minutes is:

  • background: 120 minutes to 1440 minutes (2 hours to 1 day).
  • normal: 60 minutes (one hour).
  • high_priority: 10 to 20 minutes.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
allow_outbound_0conf
boolean
default: true
Optional, defaults to true. When setting an outbound channel, it can be used straight away without waiting for any on-chain confirmations.
force_announced_channel_preference
boolean
default: true
Optional, defaults to true. Set to force an incoming channel to match our announced channel preference in ChannelOptions announced_channel.
max_channel_reserve_sats
boolean
default: 18446744073709551615
Optional, defaults to 18446744073709551615. The remote node will require us to keep a certain amount in direct payment to ourselves at all time, ensuring that we are able to be punished if we broadcast an old state. This allows us to limit the amount which we will have to keep to ourselves (and cannot use for HTLCs).
max_funding_sats
boolean
default: 16777215
Optional, defaults to 16777215. Maximum allowed satoshis when an inbound channel is funded.
max_htlc_minimum_msat
boolean
default: 18446744073709551615
Optional, defaults to 18446744073709551615. The remote node sets a limit on the minimum size of HTLCs we can send to them. This allows us to limit the maximum minimum-size they can require.
min_funding_sats
boolean
default: 0
Optional, defaults to 0. Minimum allowed satoshis when an inbound channel is funded.
min_max_accepted_htlcs
boolean
default: 0
Optional, defaults to 0. The remote node sets a limit on the maximum number of pending HTLCs to them at any given time. This allows us to set a minimum such value.
min_max_htlc_value_in_flight_msat
boolean
default: 0
Optional, defaults to 0. The remote node sets a limit on the maximum value of pending HTLCs to them at any given time to limit their funds exposure to HTLCs. This allows us to set a minimum such value.
our_locktime_limit
boolean
default: 2016
Optional, defaults to 2016. Set to the amount of blocks we're willing to wait to claim money back to us.
outbound_channels_confirmations
integer
default: 144
Optional, defaults to 144. Confirmations we will wait for before considering an inbound channel locked in.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
name*
string
The name of the node that will be used in lightning explorers
backup_path
string
Optional. The backup path for channel backups, preferably on an external drive.
color
string
default: 2b6680
Optional, defaults to 2b6680. A hexadecimal color string which will be used in network graphs on lightning explorers
listening port
integer
default: 9735
Optional, defaults to 9735. The port that this node listens for incoming connections on.
payment_retries
integer
default: 5
Optional, defaults to 5. Number of times a payment will be retried if it fails.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
type*
string
Exact for a specific amount or Max for whole balance.
value
object
Optional. Required if type is Exact. The amount in BTC you want to open the channel with.

The values in this object are only used if the channel is being opened by the user. If the channel is being opened by the counterparty, the values in this object are ignored. If not specified when using the open_channel or update_channel methods, the values in this object will default to the values set in the coins configuration file.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
announced_channel
boolean
default: false
Optional, defaults to false. Set to announce the channel publicly and notify all nodes that they can route via this channel. GUIs and wallet apps should be set to false.
commit_upfront_shutdown_pubkey
boolean
default: true
Optional, defaults to true. When true (and the counterparty agrees), the user must use the same key for cooperative closing. This prevents a user from changing the destination address in a cooperative close, which slightly increases security (however, this option is not required if the counterparty does not support it and a channel can be accepted regardless). **Note that the key for forced closing is always fixed when opening a channel and is different from shutdown_pubkey.**
counterparty_locktime
integer
default: 144
Optional, defaults to 144. The number of blocks we require our counterparty to wait to claim their money on chainif they broadcast a revoked transaction. We have to be online at least once during this time to punish our counterparty for broadcasting a revoked transaction. We have to account also for the time to broadcast and confirm our transaction, possibly with time in between to RBF (Replace-By-Fee) the spending transaction.
inbound_channels_confirmations
string
default: 6
Optional, defaults to 6. Should be set in coins file, and applies to all channels. Confirmations we will wait for before considering an inbound channel locked in.
max_inbound_in_flight_htlc_percent
integer
default: 10
Optional, defaults to 10. Should be set in coins file, and applies to all channels. Sets the percentage of the channel value we will cap the total value of outstanding inbound HTLCs to.
negotiate_scid_privacy
integer
default: false
Optional, defaults to false. If true, we attempt to negotiate the scid_privacy (referred to as scid_alias in the BOLTs) option for outbound private channels. This provides better privacy by not including our real on-chain channel UTXO in each invoice and requiring that our counterparty only relay HTLCs to us using the channel's SCID alias.
our_htlc_minimum_msat
integer
default: 1
Optional, defaults to 1. The smallest value HTLC we will accept to process. The channel gets closed any time our counterparty misbehaves by sending us an HTLC with a value smaller than this.
their_channel_reserve_sats
boolean
default: 10000
Optional, defaults to 10000. The minimum balance that the other node has to maintain on their side, at all times. This ensures that if our counterparty broadcasts a revoked state, we can punish them by claiming at least this value on chain.

For GUIs and wallet apps, it is recommended to set announced_channel to false (the default value), as the node is not expected to be reliably online.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
base_fee_msat
integer
default: 1000
Optional, defaults to 1000. Amount (in milli-satoshi) charged for payments forwarded outbound over the channel, in excess of proportional_fee_in_millionths_sats.
cltv_expiry_delta
integer
default: 72
Optional, defaults to 72. Blocks until CheckLockTimeVerify (CLTV) expiry.
force_close_avoidance_max_fee_sats
integer
default: 1000
Optional, defaults to 1000. The additional fee we're willing to pay to avoid waiting for the counterparty's locktime to reclaim funds.
max_dust_htlc_exposure_msat
integer
default: 5000000
Optional, defaults to 5000000. Limit our total exposure to in-flight HTLCs which are burned to fees as they are too small to claim on-chain.
proportional_fee_in_millionths_sats
integer
default: 0
Optional, defaults to 0. Amount (in milli-satoshi) charged for payments forwarded outbound over the channel, in excess of proportional_fee_in_millionths_sats.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
channel_id
string
Optional. Unique string identifying a channel by its ID.
channel_type
string
Optional. Inbound or Outbound.
channel_visibility
integer
Optional. Public or Private.
claiming_tx
integer
Optional. The ID of the transaction that returned the remaining outbound funds when the channel was closed to our on-chain address.
closing_tx
integer
Optional. A transaction ID which closed the channel.
closure_reason
integer
Optional. The reason a channel was closed.
counterparty_node_id
string
Optional. A hexadecimal string identifying a counterparty node.
from_claimed_balance
integer
Optional. The minimum balance of channel funds claimed in satoshis.
from_funding_value
integer
Optional. The minimum value of channel funding in satoshis.
funding_tx
string
Optional. A transaction ID which added funds.
to_claimed_balance
integer
Optional. The maximum balance of channel funds claimed in satoshis.
to_funding_value
integer
Optional. The maximum value of channel funding in satoshis.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
channel_id
string
Optional. Unique string identifying a channel by its ID.
confirmed
boolean
Optional. If true, only channels with channel opening transactions that passed the number of confirmations required for the channel to be usable will be returned.
counterparty_node_id
string
Optional. A hexadecimal string identifying a counterparty node.
from_balance_msat
integer
Optional. The minimum channel balance in millisatoshis.
from_funding_value_sats
integer
Optional. The minimum value of channel funding in satoshis.
from_inbound_capacity_msat
integer
Optional. The minimum inbound capacity of the channel balance in millisatoshis.
from_outbound_capacity_msat
integer
Optional. The minimum outbound capacity of the channel balance in millisatoshis.
funding_tx
string
Optional. A transaction ID which added funds.
is_outbound
boolean
Optional. If true, limits the response to outbound channels only.
is_public
boolean
Optional. If true, only channels that our node announces to the lightning network, these channels are visible on lightning explorers will be returned.
is_usable
boolean
Optional. If true, only channels that are confirmed and the counterparty is online, meaning that these channels can be used for payments will be returned.
to_balance_msat
integer
Optional. The maximum channel balance in millisatoshis.
to_funding_value_sats
integer
Optional. The maximum value of channel funding in satoshis.
to_inbound_capacity_msat
integer
Optional. The maximum inbound capacity of the channel balance in millisatoshis.
to_outbound_capacity_msat
integer
Optional. The maximum outbound capacity of the channel balance in millisatoshis.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
type*
string
The payment type. Accepted values are invoice or `keysend`.
amount_in_msat
string
Optional. Only used if type is keysend. Amount to be paid, in millisatoshis (A thousandth of a satoshi; the same as 0.00000000001 bitcoin).
destination
string
Optional. Only used if type is keysend. A node_pubkey (which is also the node address in lightning context). Not to be confused with an onchain address.
expiry
string
Optional. Only used if type is keysend. Seconds until the payment expires.
invoice
string
Optional. Only used if type is invoice. An identifying string which represents the invoice.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
description
string
Optional. A note to indicate the purpose of the invoice.
from_amount_msat
integer
Optional. Minimum amount sent in millisatoshis
from_fee_paid_msat
integer
Optional. Minimum transaction fee paid in millisatoshis
from_timestamp
string
Optional. Minimum timestamp in unix epoch format of payment results to return.
payment_type
object
Optional. A standard LightningPaymentType object.
status
string
Optional. Accepted values: pending, succeeded, failed.
to_amount_msat
integer
Optional. Maximum amount sent in millisatoshis
to_fee_paid_msat
integer
Optional. Maximum transaction fee paid in millisatoshis
to_timestamp
string
Optional. Maximum timestamp in unix epoch format of payment results to return.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
type*
string
Accepted values are Outbound Payment or Inbound Payment.
destination
string
Optional. Only used if type is Outbound Payment. A pubkey which will receive the payment.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
force_announced_channel_preference
boolean
default: false
Optional, defaults to false. The user may override this preference in the channel opening request method call.
max_accepted_htlcs
integer
default: 483
Optional, defaults to 483. The maximum number of HTLCs we will accept from the counterparty.
max_channel_reserve_sats
boolean
default: 18446744073709551615
Optional, defaults to 18446744073709551615. The remote node will require us to keep a certain amount in direct payment to ourselves at all time, ensuring that we are able to be punished if we broadcast an old state. This allows us to limit the amount which we will have to keep to ourselves (and cannot use for HTLCs).
min_max_accepted_htlcs
boolean
default: 0
Optional, defaults to 0. The remote node sets a limit on the maximum number of pending HTLCs to them at any given time. This allows us to set a minimum such value.
min_max_htlc_value_in_flight_msat
boolean
default: 0
Optional, defaults to 0. The remote node sets a limit on the maximum value of pending HTLCs to them at any given time to limit their funds exposure to HTLCs. This allows us to set a minimum such value.
our_htlc_minimum_msat
integer
default: 0
Optional, defaults to 0. The smallest value HTLC we will accept to forward from the counterparty.
our_to_self_delay
integer
default: 1008
Optional, defaults to 1008. The time that our counterparty requires us to wait to claim our money, if we broadcast a revoked transaction.
their_to_self_delay
integer
default: 1008
Optional, defaults to 1008. The time that we require our counterparty to wait to claim their money, if they broadcast a revoked transaction. This can be increased to provide more punishment for broadcasting old states, but will result in higher fees (since emergency transactions will be larger).

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
backup_password*
string
Backup password used to encrypt channel backups
node_pubkey*
string
Lightning node pubkey
listening_port
integer
default: 9735
Optional, defaults to 9735. Listening port for the Lightning network

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
type*
string
Exact for a specific amount or Max for whole balance.
value
object
Optional. Required if type is Exact. The amount in BTC you want to open the channel with.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
cltv_expiry_delta
integer
Optional. Blocks until CheckLockTimeVerify (CLTV) expiry.
force_close_avoidance_max_fee_sats
integer
Optional. The additional fee we're willing to pay to avoid waiting for the counterparty's locktime to reclaim funds.
forwarding_fee_base_msat
integer
Optional. Amount (in milli-satoshi) charged for payments forwarded outbound over the channel, in excess of proportional_fee_in_millionths_sats.
forwarding_fee_proportional_millionths
integer
Optional. Amount (in milli-satoshi) charged for payments forwarded outbound over the channel, in excess of proportional_fee_in_millionths_sats.
max_dust_htlc_exposure_msat
integer
Optional. Limit our total exposure to in-flight HTLCs which are burned to fees as they are too small to claim on-chain.

Parameter* = requiredTypeDescription
channel_id
string
Optional. Unique string identifying a channel by its ID.
channel_type
string
Optional. Inbound or Outbound.
channel_visibility
integer
Optional. Public or Private.
claiming_tx
integer
Optional. The ID of the transaction that returned the remaining outbound funds when the channel was closed to our on-chain address.
closing_tx
integer
Optional. A transaction ID which closed the channel.
closure_reason
integer
Optional. The reason a channel was closed.
counterparty_node_id
string
Optional. A hexadecimal string identifying a counterparty node.
from_claimed_balance
integer
Optional. The minimum balance of channel funds claimed in satoshis.
from_funding_value
integer
Optional. The minimum value of channel funding in satoshis.
funding_tx
string
Optional. A transaction ID which added funds.
to_claimed_balance
integer
Optional. The maximum balance of channel funds claimed in satoshis.
to_funding_value
integer
Optional. The maximum value of channel funding in satoshis.