<p>You don't need to grant someone access to the entire machine to be able to use <code>bitcoin-cli</code>. You can provision credentials using the rpcauth parameter in bitcoin.conf (it may be defined multiple times for multiple username/password combinations), and whitelist their IP address for the port you are running the bitcoin RPC on.</p>

<p>They can then use a local <code>bitcoin-cli</code> binary along with the <code>-rpcport</code> and <code>-rpcconnect</code> options to use a remote bitcoind instance.</p>

<p>Naturally, you should avoid leaving unlocked wallets on this server, as anyone with RPC access may spend your coins. It should be treated as a read only instance.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-28T01:51:47.730Z
Much appreciated, this is exactly what I needed.
jon.bray.eth
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-12-25T04:51:18.030Z
2019-12-25T04:51:18.030Z
Raghav Sood
<p>I have a friend who is interested in learning Bitcoin CLI, and I told him I would look into giving him access to my node - in a non-destructive way - perhaps testnet only ?</p>

<p>Totally trust this person, we work together closely on many projects, and he's interested in learning about the network but doesn't have the means to set up a full node himself. I tried lots of searching but couldn't find a clear response.</p>

<p>I want to preserve the integrity of my node, not give him access to my user account, but let him use it for educational purposes.</p>

<p>Any kind souls have a guide on this process?</p>

<security><nodes><bitcoin-cli><authentication>
How to add a second user with SSH access to my Ubuntu PC running Bitcoin Core?
jon.bray.eth
# How to add a second user with SSH access to my Ubuntu PC running Bitcoin Core?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-12-24)

I have a friend who is interested in learning Bitcoin CLI, and I told him I would look into giving him access to my node - in a non-destructive way - perhaps testnet only ?

Totally trust this person, we work together closely on many projects, and he's interested in learning about the network but doesn't have the means to set up a full node himself. I tried lots of searching but couldn't find a clear response.

I want to preserve the integrity of my node, not give him access to my user account, but let him use it for educational purposes.

Any kind souls have a guide on this process?

**Tags:** security, nodes, bitcoin-cli, authentication


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-12-25. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

You don't need to grant someone access to the entire machine to be able to use `bitcoin-cli`. You can provision credentials using the rpcauth parameter in bitcoin.conf (it may be defined multiple times for multiple username/password combinations), and whitelist their IP address for the port you are running the bitcoin RPC on.

They can then use a local `bitcoin-cli` binary along with the `-rpcport` and `-rpcconnect` options to use a remote bitcoind instance.

Naturally, you should avoid leaving unlocked wallets on this server, as anyone with RPC access may spend your coins. It should be treated as a read only instance.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Much appreciated, this is exactly what I needed.  

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