Lightning Network team streamlines node-management tools

The development team Lightning Network (LN) — Lightning Labs — has released an update to the Litd node-management tool aimed at simplifying the use of the Bitcoin micropayment network.

Announcing the new litd, the all-in-one suite for LND devs! Get LIT with:

?️ Improved Terminal web UI
? Tools to simplify liquidity & accounting
? Automated routing fee management
? Accounts: many users, one node

Upgrade your Lightning stack today: https://t.co/GpCncMCBS1

— Lightning Labs⚡️? (@lightning) April 26, 2023

In LN, users must run their own nodes to send and receive non-custodial payments, which makes interacting with the protocol harder for newcomers.

According to the developers, the Litd update significantly simplifies this process, abstracting some node functions so users no longer have to manage them directly.

“We have heard persistent feedback from the LN community and developers about the need to increase automation of node management and improve tools for seamless onboarding of new users,” said team member Michael Levan.

Typically, Lightning validators must manually set fees, so one of the main novelties is the automation of this process. The protocol now updates transaction-fee data automatically, based on the number of weekly transactions for a given node.

The update also allows multiple accounts to share a single node to reduce operating costs.

In April, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong pledged to integrate the Lightning Network.

In the same month, MicroStrategy founder Michael Saylor transformed his corporate e-mail into an address for the Bitcoin micropayments network.