Getting started with Pearl
You don’t need to mine, buy hardware or own any PRL to start. The right first move is to choose what you actually want from the network, then take the shortest verified path to it.
01 Choose your path
- I want to learn Start with the plain-English basics, one short lesson at a time. No software needed
- I want to hold PRL Set up a self-custody wallet and back it up first. Back up before receiving
- I want to buy PRL Verify the asset and the venue, then test a small withdrawal. Avoid look-alike tokens
- I want to mine Run the mining calculator, then benchmark before spending anything on hardware. Count power and fees
- I want to help the network Run a full node and keep it updated. No GPU required
- I want to build or research Map the repository, the test networks and the evidence. Start on a test network
02 The safe sequence
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Understand the project
Read what Pearl is, how it differs from Bitcoin, and what is still experimental.
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Use primary sources
Start from Pearl Research Labs’ whitepaper (opens in a new tab) and its GitHub organization (opens in a new tab).
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Create a wallet
Download the latest official release, create a wallet, and write the recovery seed down offline.
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Test with a small amount
Receive and send a small amount before trusting a new address, machine or workflow.
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Add one capability
Only then decide whether to mine, run a node, use a pool or build from source.
03 Verify before installing
- The publisher is pearl-research-labs (opens in a new tab) on GitHub.
- The release is the current one and has a build for your operating system and processor.
- The download link hasn’t been swapped for a shortened or affiliate link.
- Your file matches the
checksums.txtpublished with the release. - Your recovery seed is never pasted into a website, chat, support ticket or mining pool.
Sources
Checked Oct 20, 2026
- Primary Official Pearl releases Pearl Research Labs (opens in a new tab)
- Primary Pearl monorepo on GitHub Pearl Research Labs (opens in a new tab)
- Primary Pearl INT whitepaper (the scheme mainnet runs) Pearl Research Labs (opens in a new tab)
Software and protocol details change. Use LearnPearl to get oriented, then confirm anything involving money, keys or hardware at the official source.
Knowledge check
Check your understanding
3 questions · about 2 minutes · nothing is sent anywhere
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Show answer
The official pearl-research-labs GitHub releases. Use the official releases page and check the file against the published checksums. Search ads and shared links are classic ways to plant fake wallets.
Use the official releases page and check the file against the published checksums. Search ads and shared links are classic ways to plant fake wallets.
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Show answer
Back up your recovery seed offline. Back up first. If the computer dies before you’ve written the seed down, the coins its keys control may be gone for good.
Back up first. If the computer dies before you’ve written the seed down, the coins its keys control may be gone for good.
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Show answer
A small test amount, then the rest once it arrives. A small test proves the address, network and process are right before real value is at stake.
A small test proves the address, network and process are right before real value is at stake.