# How to Cross-Compile Bitcoin Core for Windows, macOS, and Linux Architectures > Learn to cross-compile Bitcoin Core for Windows macOS and Linux. Build target-specific dependencies and use CMake to create binaries for different architectures. - Repository: [Bitcoin/bitcoin](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin) - Tags: how-to-guide - Published: 2026-02-28 --- **Cross-compile Bitcoin Core by building target-specific dependencies in the `depends/` directory using a host triplet (e.g., `x86_64-w64-mingw32`), then invoke CMake with the generated `toolchain.cmake` file to produce binaries for architectures different from your build machine.** The `bitcoin/bitcoin` repository uses a specialized `depends` build system to enable cross-compilation across diverse platforms. When you need to build Bitcoin Core binaries for Windows, macOS, or alternative Linux architectures from a single development machine, this system automates the creation of cross-compiled libraries and CMake toolchain files that redirect the core build to target-specific artifacts. ## Understanding the Cross-Compilation Architecture The cross-compilation workflow relies on the `depends` subsystem located in the `depends/` directory. According to [`depends/README.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/depends/README.md) lines 111-136, this system performs two critical functions: it builds all third-party libraries (such as Boost, OpenSSL, and libevent) for the specified target architecture, and it generates a CMake toolchain file (e.g., `depends/x86_64-w64-mingw32/toolchain.cmake`) that configures the compiler, linker, and library paths for the target platform. The core Bitcoin build itself remains unchanged during cross-compilation. As noted in [`depends/README.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/depends/README.md) lines 77-80, CMake ignores the `depends` output unless you explicitly pass the toolchain file using the `--toolchain` parameter. ## Step-by-Step: How to Cross-Compile Bitcoin Core ### 1. Build Cross-Compiled Dependencies First, build the dependencies for your target platform using the `HOST` parameter. The `HOST` value uses a triplet format (e.g., `x86_64-w64-mingw32` for 64-bit Windows) that identifies the target architecture, vendor, and operating system. ```bash cd /path/to/bitcoin make HOST=x86_64-w64-mingw32 -j$(nproc) ``` This process generates the toolchain file at `depends/x86_64-w64-mingw32/toolchain.cmake` and builds all required libraries for the target. ### 2. Configure Bitcoin Core with the Toolchain Invoke CMake with the `--toolchain` flag pointing to the generated toolchain file. This redirects the build system to use the cross-compiled dependencies and appropriate compiler. ```bash cmake -B build \ --toolchain depends/x86_64-w64-mingw32/toolchain.cmake \ -DENABLE_WALLET=ON ``` ### 3. Compile the Binary Build the project using the configured build directory: ```bash cmake --build build -j$(nproc) ``` The resulting binaries will be located in `build/src/` and will be executable on the target platform. ## Platform-Specific Cross-Compilation Examples ### Windows 64-bit (MinGW) For Windows targets using the MSVCRT runtime (traditional Windows 7+ compatibility): ```bash make HOST=x86_64-w64-mingw32 -j$(nproc) cmake -B build --toolchain depends/x86_64-w64-mingw32/toolchain.cmake cmake --build build ``` For the modern UCRT runtime (Windows 10+): ```bash make HOST=x86_64-w64-mingw32ucrt -j$(nproc) cmake -B build --toolchain depends/x86_64-w64-mingw32ucrt/toolchain.cmake cmake --build build ``` ### macOS Intel and Apple Silicon Cross-compiling for macOS requires the Apple SDK. According to [`depends/README.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/depends/README.md) lines 138-146 and [`contrib/macdeploy/README.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/contrib/macdeploy/README.md) lines 11-46, you must download the Xcode SDK and place it under `depends/SDKs/` before building. First, install the required toolchain on your host (Debian/Ubuntu example): ```bash sudo apt install clang lld llvm zip ``` Extract the macOS SDK: ```bash mkdir -p depends/SDKs tar xf Xcode-*.tar -C depends/SDKs ``` For Intel Macs (x86_64): ```bash make HOST=x86_64-apple-darwin -j$(nproc) cmake -B build --toolchain depends/x86_64-apple-darwin/toolchain.cmake cmake --build build ``` For Apple Silicon (ARM64): ```bash make HOST=arm64-apple-darwin -j$(nproc) cmake -B build --toolchain depends/arm64-apple-darwin/toolchain.cmake cmake --build build ``` ### Linux ARM 32-bit For 32-bit ARM Linux targets (e.g., Raspberry Pi): ```bash make HOST=arm-linux-gnueabihf -j$(nproc) cmake -B build --toolchain depends/arm-linux-gnueabihf/toolchain.cmake cmake --build build ``` ### PowerPC 64-bit (Big Endian) For PowerPC 64-bit big-endian Linux targets: ```bash make HOST=powerpc64-linux-gnu -j$(nproc) cmake -B build --toolchain depends/powerpc64-linux-gnu/toolchain.cmake cmake --build build ``` ## Key Files and References Understanding the cross-compilation process requires familiarity with several documentation files in the repository: - **[`depends/README.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/depends/README.md)** – The primary reference for cross-compilation workflows, host triplet specifications, and SDK requirements (lines 111-136, 77-80, 121-135, 138-146). - **`depends//toolchain.cmake`** – The generated CMake toolchain file that configures the compiler and library paths for the target platform. - **[`contrib/macdeploy/README.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/contrib/macdeploy/README.md)** – Essential for macOS cross-compilation, detailing how to obtain and extract the Xcode SDK (lines 11-46). - **[`doc/build-unix.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/doc/build-unix.md)**, **[`doc/build-windows.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/doc/build-windows.md)**, **[`doc/build-osx.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/doc/build-osx.md)** – Platform-specific build instructions that complement the cross-compilation workflow. ## Summary - **Use the `depends` system** to build cross-compiled dependencies and generate CMake toolchain files for your target platform. - **Specify the target** using a host triplet (e.g., `x86_64-w64-mingw32`, `arm64-apple-darwin`) when running `make` in the `depends` directory. - **Configure with the toolchain** by passing `--toolchain depends//toolchain.cmake` to CMake to redirect the build to cross-compiled libraries. - **Handle macOS SDK requirements** by placing the extracted Xcode SDK in `depends/SDKs/` and installing clang/llvm on the host system before building. - **The core build remains unchanged**; cross-compilation only requires pointing CMake to the correct toolchain file generated by the `depends` system. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is a host triplet and where do I find the correct one for my target? A host triplet is a standardized string identifying the target architecture, vendor, and operating system (e.g., `x86_64-w64-mingw32` for 64-bit Windows). According to [`depends/README.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/depends/README.md) lines 121-135, common triplets include `x86_64-w64-mingw32` for Windows, `arm64-apple-darwin` for Apple Silicon, and `powerpc64-linux-gnu` for PowerPC. The `depends` system uses this triplet to select the correct compiler and build dependencies for that specific platform. ### Why does macOS cross-compilation require an Apple SDK? macOS cross-compilation requires the Apple SDK because the build needs access to proprietary Apple frameworks and headers that cannot be redistributed with the Bitcoin Core source code. As documented in [`depends/README.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/depends/README.md) lines 138-146 and [`contrib/macdeploy/README.md`](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/main/contrib/macdeploy/README.md) lines 11-46, you must download the Xcode SDK separately, extract it, and place it under `depends/SDKs/`. Additionally, you must install clang/llvm on your host system to handle the cross-compilation to Apple's architecture. ### Can I cross-compile for Windows using the UCRT runtime instead of MSVCRT? Yes, Bitcoin Core supports cross-compiling for Windows using the modern UCRT (Universal C Runtime) instead of the legacy MSVCRT. According to the `depends` system documentation, use the host triplet `x86_64-w64-mingw32ucrt` instead of `x86_64-w64-mingw32` when building dependencies. The generated toolchain file will be located at `depends/x86_64-w64-mingw32ucrt/toolchain.cmake`, which you then pass to CMake to produce Windows 10+ compatible binaries. ### Do I need to rebuild the dependencies every time I modify Bitcoin Core source code? No, you do not need to rebuild the `depends` dependencies every time you modify the Bitcoin Core source code. The `depends` system builds static libraries for the target platform (such as Boost, OpenSSL, and libevent) that rarely change. Once you have built the dependencies for a specific host triplet and they exist in the `depends//` directory, you can reconfigure and rebuild only the Bitcoin Core components by running CMake with the existing toolchain file. Rebuild dependencies only when upgrading library versions or switching to a different target architecture.