Why build with Trezor Suite®?
Trezor Suite® provides a secure, open, and extensible environment for interacting with hardware wallets and building wallet-aware experiences. Whether you are building custody solutions, payment processors, dApps, or developer tools, the Trezor Developer Portal exposes APIs, documentation, and SDKs engineered for security-first integration. Bookmark the official portal for authoritative docs and updates: Official Trezor Developer Portal.
What this guide covers
This tutorial walks you through:
- Preparing your environment and prerequisites
- Installing and running Trezor Suite®
- Discovering developer APIs and how to access them
- Signing transactions and messages programmatically
- Testing, debugging, and security best practices
Prerequisites & essentials
Hardware
You will need at least one Trezor device (Model T or Trezor One). Make sure the device firmware is up to date and that you have access to the recovery seed.
Software
A local development machine with Node.js (LTS) installed is recommended. You should also install the desktop or web version of Trezor Suite®: download or access it via the official site: Official Trezor Developer Portal.
Accounts & keys
Create or import a wallet in Trezor Suite® and practice on testnets before interacting with mainnet funds. Use dedicated test accounts during development.
Installing Trezor Suite®
Trezor Suite® is available as both a desktop application and a browser/web app. Follow official instructions and download the client only from the official developer portal to avoid malicious copies. The official portal provides verified release packages and checksums: Official Trezor Developer Portal.
Desktop (recommended for development)
Download the desktop package for your OS and install. Desktop mode allows local USB access to your Trezor device and supports richer debugging.
Web / Suite in the Browser
The browser version is convenient for quick tests. When using the browser version, ensure you accept legitimate USB permissions. Always verify the origin and use HTTPS.
Developer APIs & SDKs
Trezor exposes libraries and endpoints for interacting with devices. The most common integration points:
Trezor Connect
Trezor Connect is a JavaScript library that abstracts device communication and user interactions (pin, passphrase, device confirmation). Use it to request signatures, obtain public keys, and manage accounts. See the official docs and examples on the portal: Official Trezor Developer Portal.
Low-level device libraries
For advanced use, Trezor provides libraries that talk to the device protocol (e.g., protobuf-based messages). These allow direct control but require careful security handling.
Where to find API references
The authoritative references, SDK downloads, and example repos are linked from the Developer Portal — keep this link handy: Official Trezor Developer Portal.
Quick start example: Signing a transaction with Trezor Connect
Below is a compact example demonstrating how to integrate Trezor Connect in a web app. The example assumes Node tooling or bundlers that can import the module.
// Example: simple signature request using Trezor Connect (JS)
import TrezorConnect from 'trezor-connect';
TrezorConnect.manifest({
email: 'dev@example.com',
appUrl: 'https://your-app.example'
});
async function signMessage() {
const res = await TrezorConnect.signMessage({
path: "m/44'/0'/0'/0/0",
message: "Hello from developer portal example"
});
if (res.success) {
console.log('Signature:', res.payload.signature);
} else {
console.error('Error:', res.payload.error);
}
}Note: always consult the latest examples and method signatures at the official portal: Official Trezor Developer Portal.
Common operations
- Get public key / xpub
- Sign transaction (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)
- Sign messages and verify signatures
- Enumerate device features and firmware version
Security best practices
Security is primary when working with hardware wallets. Follow these guidelines:
Never expose private keys
Trezor devices keep private keys isolated. Your integration should never export or store private keys outside the device.
Validate origins & manifests
If using Trezor Connect, register a manifest and confirm your app identity. Ensure your application URL and contact email are correct in the manifest.
Test on testnets
Use testnets (e.g., Bitcoin testnet, Ethereum Goerli) whenever you test signing, broadcasting, or other operations with real transaction flows.
Testing, debugging & CI
Reliable testing for hardware integrations requires automation tools and occasionally physical devices. Some tips:
Automated test harnesses
Use headless or automated browsers for integration tests and mock Trezor responses when appropriate. For full device tests, maintain a hardware lab with multiple devices and clean firmware states.
Logging & telemetry
Log user actions and errors locally or to secure telemetry for debugging, but never log or ship sensitive data such as seed phrases, private keys, or passphrases.
UX patterns for hardware wallet flows
Hardware flows interrupt the user to confirm actions on the device. Respect this by designing clear in-app messaging, progress states, and fallback pathways.
Show hardware prompts
When a signature or confirmation is required, show explicit instructions (e.g., “Confirm the transaction on your Trezor device”). Provide timeouts and retry guidance.
Handle user cancellations gracefully
Users will cancel flows; your app must handle cancellations without leaving transactions half-committed or in an inconsistent state.
Advanced integration topics
Passphrase-protected wallets
Trezor supports hidden wallets via passphrases. These increase security but require careful UX (explain how passphrases change accounts, and provide secure storage prompts).
Firmware-aware integrations
Detect firmware versions programmatically and offer clear upgrade instructions when necessary. Only rely on documented protocol behaviours for given firmware ranges.
Resources & links
The hub for authoritative guides, downloads, and code samples is the official developer site. Visit it frequently as it will contain the latest API changes and recommended SDKs: Official Trezor Developer Portal.
Official example repositories
Official code samples and example apps demonstrate best practices. You can find sample repos linked from the official portal: Official Trezor Developer Portal.
Support & contact
For developer support, file issues on the official repos, engage on community channels, or consult the documentation hub. Official support entry points are listed here: Official Trezor Developer Portal.
Troubleshooting checklist
- Is the device unlocked and connected? Reconnect USB if necessary.
- Is Trezor Suite® up to date? Update via the official channel.
- Are browser permissions granted for USB? Allow the connection and re-authenticate.
- Check the manifest: correct app URL and contact email in Trezor Connect.
When things go wrong
If a device becomes unresponsive, consult the official recovery and firmware update guides on the developer portal. These pages contain step-by-step instructions for recovery modes: Official Trezor Developer Portal.
Checklist: Shipping a secure integration
Pre-launch
- Security review / threat model
- End-to-end user testing with hardware
- Automated tests covering edge cases
Launch
- Publish clear user instructions
- Provide support channels and recovery guidance
- Monitor for error patterns and improve UX
Conclusion
Integrating with Trezor Suite® and the official developer resources unlocks powerful, secure tooling for crypto-native apps. Follow documented APIs, test on testnets, and treat security and UX as first-class citizens. For every step in your implementation — from initial setup to shipping production — use the official portal as your source of truth: Official Trezor Developer Portal.