# Cardano CLI Transactions

> Transaction guidance: build, sign, submit patterns. Provides templates (no execution). Use operator skill to execute.

- Skill: `flux-point-studios/cardano-cli-transactions` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 4 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add flux-point-studios/cardano-cli-transactions`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/flux-point-studios/cardano-cli-transactions/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: flux-point-studios (https://skillmd.com/u/flux-point-studios)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/flux-point-studios/cardano-cli-transactions

---


# cardano-cli-transactions

> **This is a guidance skill.** Provides templates and explanations. For execution, use `cardano-cli-transactions-operator`.

## When to use
- Learning transaction building patterns
- Understanding UTxO selection and change
- Getting command templates for various tx types

## Operating rules (must follow)
- Confirm network (mainnet/preprod/preview) before providing commands
- Never execute—only provide templates
- Always include fee handling and change
- Include verification steps

## Docker fallback mode
If `cardano-cli` is not installed locally, use the wrapper script in this skill folder to run **cardano-cli inside Docker** (the Cardano node container images include the CLI).

```bash
chmod +x {baseDir}/scripts/cardano-cli.sh
{baseDir}/scripts/cardano-cli.sh version
```

Notes:
- The wrapper mounts your current directory into the container as `/work` so files like `pparams.json`, `tx.body`, `datum.json` work normally.
- If you have a local node socket, set `CARDANO_NODE_SOCKET_PATH` before running so `query` commands work.
- Override the image with `CARDANO_DOCKER_IMAGE=ghcr.io/intersectmbo/cardano-node:<tag>`.

## Workflow templates

### Simple ADA transfer
```bash
# 1. Query sender UTxOs
cardano-cli conway query utxo \
  --address <sender-addr> \
  --testnet-magic 1

# 2. Get protocol parameters
cardano-cli conway query protocol-parameters \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --out-file pparams.json

# 3. Build transaction
cardano-cli conway transaction build \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --tx-in <utxo-hash>#<index> \
  --tx-out <recipient>+<amount-lovelace> \
  --change-address <sender-addr> \
  --out-file tx.unsigned

# 4. Sign
cardano-cli conway transaction sign \
  --tx-file tx.unsigned \
  --signing-key-file payment.skey \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --out-file tx.signed

# 5. Submit
cardano-cli conway transaction submit \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --tx-file tx.signed

# 6. Verify
cardano-cli conway transaction txid --tx-file tx.signed
```

### Multi-output transaction
```bash
cardano-cli conway transaction build \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --tx-in <utxo>#<index> \
  --tx-out <addr1>+<amount1> \
  --tx-out <addr2>+<amount2> \
  --tx-out <addr3>+<amount3> \
  --change-address <sender> \
  --out-file tx.unsigned
```

### With native tokens
```bash
cardano-cli conway transaction build \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --tx-in <utxo>#<index> \
  --tx-out "<recipient>+<lovelace>+<amount> <policy-id>.<asset-name>" \
  --change-address <sender> \
  --out-file tx.unsigned
```

### With metadata
```bash
cardano-cli conway transaction build \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --tx-in <utxo>#<index> \
  --tx-out <recipient>+<amount> \
  --change-address <sender> \
  --metadata-json-file metadata.json \
  --out-file tx.unsigned
```

## Examples

### Example: Send 10 ADA on preprod
**User request:** "Send 10 ADA to addr_test1qz..."

**Response:**
```bash
# === Send 10 ADA on Preprod ===

# Setup
SENDER_ADDR="addr_test1..."
RECIPIENT="addr_test1qz..."
AMOUNT=10000000  # 10 ADA in lovelace

# 1. Query UTxOs
cardano-cli conway query utxo \
  --address $SENDER_ADDR \
  --testnet-magic 1

# 2. Build (using first UTxO with sufficient funds)
cardano-cli conway transaction build \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --tx-in <paste-utxo-here>#0 \
  --tx-out "$RECIPIENT+$AMOUNT" \
  --change-address $SENDER_ADDR \
  --out-file tx.unsigned

# 3. Sign
cardano-cli conway transaction sign \
  --tx-file tx.unsigned \
  --signing-key-file payment.skey \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --out-file tx.signed

# 4. Submit (use operator skill or run manually)
# cardano-cli conway transaction submit --testnet-magic 1 --tx-file tx.signed
```

## Tx bundle folder structure
```
tx-20240115-143022/
├── pparams.json       # Protocol parameters used
├── tx.unsigned        # Unsigned transaction
├── tx.signed          # Signed transaction
├── utxos.json         # Input UTxOs at build time
└── commands.log       # Commands executed
```

## Safety / key handling
- Never expose signing keys
- Verify recipient address carefully
- On mainnet: small test transfer first
- Keep tx bundle for audit trail

## References
- `shared/PRINCIPLES.md`
- `cardano-cli-transactions-operator` (for execution)