DeFi developers interact with blockchains through the command-line interface more than any other interface. Whether you are querying repositories, building transactions, deploying contracts, or automating profit strategies, the CLI is where DeFi applications are executed. This reference includes basic commands across all major DeFi ecosystems: from Ethereum’s Foundry to Cardano’s cardano-cli, Solana’s Anchor, Bitcoin’s bitcoin-cli, and Cosmos’s IBC toolchain.
Main keywords: defi cli commands (CMD of DeFi) Target audience: DeFi developers, blockchain engineers, DevOps automating DeFi processes Section: Guide to cross-chain CLI usage with real-world examples and specific Vietnamese context
Basic knowledge of DeFi commands
Why do we need the CLI for DeFi?
Graphical interfaces (dApps, dashboards) are great for exploration. But DeFi production – creating automated markets, liquidation robots, cross-chain arbitrage, enterprise security management – runs on scripts. CLIs provide:
- Scriptability: Export to stdout for
jq, include in CI/CD, schedule via cron
Two-tier CLI architecture
The DeFi CLI is naturally organized into three tiers, reflecting the traditional DevOps model:
| Standard | Purpose | Examples | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Tier 1: Node/Path | Direct interaction between the button and the RPC | bitcoin-cli, cardano-cli, solana, geth | kubectl |
| **Level 2: Frame | Developer experience, abstract | forge, hardhat, anchor | Helm |
| Level 3: Applications | Key activities of DeFi | 1inch, defillama, coingecko CLI | ArgoCD |
Vietnam context: Many Vietnamese developers use Termux (Android) to work in a "mobile-first" way. Level 1 tools are compiled into static binaries - perfect for Termux. Levels 2/3 often require Node.js/Rust toolkits; GitHub Codespaces bridges the gap.
CLI tools of the EVM ecosystem
Foundry (casting, welding, hammer) — Modern standards
Foundry's Rust-based toolchain has become the default for serious EVM development. It's fast, parallel, and programmable.
pencil — Swiss Army Pencil
`bash
curl -L https://foundry.paradigm.xyz | bash
cast block-number --rpc-url https://eth.llamarpc.com cast balance 0xd8dA6BF26964aF9D7eEd9e03E53415D37aA96045 --rpc-url $RPC_URL cast call 0xA0b86a33E6441E6C7D3E4c5b5F6e5E7D5c5D5D5D "balanceOf(address)" 0xd8dA6BF26964aF9D7eEd9e03E53415D37aA96045 --rpc-url $RPC_URL
cast send 0xA0b86a33E6441E6C7D3E4c5b5F6e5E7D5c5D5D5D "transfer(address,uint256)" 0xRecipient 1000000 --rpc-url $RPC_URL --private-key $PK
cast estimate 0xContract "function(args)" --rpc-url $RPC_URL
cast calldata "transfer(address,uint256)" 0xRecipient 1000000
Professional tip: cast will output JSON by default with --json, which is necessary for programming.
forge - Testing and deployment
`bash
forge init my-defi-project
forge test --match-contract CounterTest --match-test testIncrement
forge script script/Deploy.s.sol --rpc-url $RPC_URL --private-key $PK --broadcast
forge snapshot --diff
anvil — Local Testnet
`bash
anvil --fork-url $MAINNET_RPC --fork-block-number 19000000 --port 8545
anvil --accounts 10 --balance 10000 --port 8545
anvil --fork-url $RPC_URL --impersonate 0xWhaleAddress
Hardhat — Corporate Heritage
It is also widely used in enterprises because the plugin ecosystem is well-established and designed based on TypeScript.
`bash
npm init -y npm install --save-dev hardhat @nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox npx hardhat init
npx hardhat compile npx hardhat test npx hardhat node npx hardhat run scripts/deploy.ts --network mainnet npx hardhat verify --network mainnet 0xContractAddress "constructor args"
npx hardhat test --gas-reporter REPORT_GAS=true npx hardhat test
1inch CLI – Unifying DeFi
`bash
npm install -g @1inch/cli
1inch swap --from-token 0xA0b86a33E6441E6C7D3E4c5b5F6e5E7D5c5D5D5D --to-token 0xC02aaA39b223FE8D0A0e5C4F27eAD9083C756Cc2 --amount 1000000 --wallet 0xYourWallet --chain 1
1inch limit-order create --from-token 0xTokenA --to-token 0xTokenB --amount 1000000 --price 2000
1inch swap --estimate-gas --from-token 0xTokenA --to-token 0xTokenB --amount 1000000
Refer to the Cardano CLI
Cardano’s ‘cardano-cli’ is detailed, clear, and secure in its syntax – designed to prevent errors on the mainnet. The Conway period (v8+) added administrative commands.
Settings
`bash
nix run github:input-output-hk/cardano-node
wget https://github.com/IntersectMBO/cardano-node/releases/download/8.0.0/cardano-cli-8.0.0-linux.tar.gz
Lock management
`bash
cardano-cli latest address key-gen --verification-key-file payment.vkey --signing-key-file payment.skey
cardano-cli latest stake-address key-gen --verification-key-file stake.vkey --signing-key-file stake.skey
cardano-cli latest address build --payment-verification-key-file payment.vkey --stake-verification-key-file stake.vkey --out-file address.addr --mainnet
cardano-cli latest address key-gen --hw-signing-file hw-payment.skey --verification-key-file payment.vkey
Query command
`bash
cardano-cli latest query tip --mainnet
cardano-cli latest query utxo --address $(cat address.addr) --mainnet
cardano-cli latest query protocol-parameters --mainnet --out-file pparams.json
cardano-cli latest query stake-pools --mainnet cardano-cli latest query stake-snapshot --stake-pool-id pool1xxxx --mainnet
Transaction database (main workflow)
`bash
cardano-cli latest transaction build \ --tx-in $(cardano-cli latest query utxo --address $(cat address.addr) --mainnet --out-file utxos.json | jq -r 'keys[0]') \ --tx-out "addr1recipient+10000000" \ --change-address $(cat address.addr) \ --mainnet \ --out-file tx.draft
cardano-cli latest transaction sign \ --tx-body-file tx.draft \ --signing-key-file payment.skey \ --mainnet \ --out-file tx.signed
cardano-cli latest transaction submit --tx-file tx.signed --mainnet
The Impact of Plutus Script
`bash
cardano-cli latest transaction build \ --tx-in $SCRIPT_UTXO \ --tx-out-reference-script-file plutus-script.plutus \ --change-address $(cat address.addr) \ --mainnet \ --out-file ref-script.draft
cardano-cli latest transaction build \ --tx-in $SCRIPT_UTXO \ --tx-in-script-file plutus-script.plutus \ --tx-in-datum-file datum.json \ --tx-in-redeemer-file redeemer.json \ --tx-in-collateral $COLLATERAL_UTXO \ --mainnet \ --out-file execute.draft
Management (Conway period)
`bash
cardano-cli latest governance drep registration-certificate \ --drep-verification-key-file drep.vkey \ --key-reg-deposit-amt 1000000000 \ --out-file drep-reg.cert
cardano-cli latest governance stake-delegation \ --stake-verification-key-file stake.vkey \ --drep-verification-key-file drep.vkey \ --out-file drep-deleg.cert
cardano-cli latest governance vote create \ --drep-verification-key-file drep.vkey \ --governance-action-id 0#1 \ --vote yes \ --out-file vote.json
OGM and Cube — lightweight query layer
`bash
--host 0.0.0.0 --port 1337 --node-config mainnet-config.json
kupo --host 0.0.0.0 --port 1442 --node-socket /path/node.socket --db-path /data/kupo.db
curl "http://localhost:1442/matches/addr1xxxx?unspent=true"
Solana CLI tools
solana CLI — Main Operations
`bash
sh -c "$(curl -sSfL https://release.solana.com/v1.18.0/install)"
solana config set --url https://api.mainnet-beta.solana.com
solana balance solana account
spl-token create-token --decimals 9
solana program deploy
solana stake-account create
Anchor CLI — Reintroduce the concept of the system
`bash
cargo install --git https://github.com/coral-xyz/anchor anchor-cli --locked
anchor init my-program
anchor build
anchor deploy --provider.cluster mainnet --provider.wallet ~/.config/solana/id.json
anchor idl init --filepath target/idl/my_program.json
anchor run generate-typescript
Bitcoin & Lightning CLI
bitcoin-cli — Core Node RPC
`bash
bitcoin-cli getblockchaininfo
bitcoin-cli createwallet "defi-wallet" bitcoin-cli -rpcwallet=defi-wallet getnewaddress bitcoin-cli -rpcwallet=defi-wallet listunspent
bitcoin-cli -rpcwallet=defi-wallet createrawtransaction '[{"txid":"...","vout":0}]' '[{"address":0.01}]' bitcoin-cli -rpcwallet=defi-wallet signrawtransactionwithwallet
bitcoin-cli -rpcwallet=defi-wallet walletcreatefundedpsbt '[]' '[{"address":0.01}]'
lncli — Lightning Network (LND)
`bash
lncli getinfo
lncli addinvoice --amt 100000 --memo "DeFi yield payment"
lncli openchannel --node_key
lncli queryroutes --dest
Cosmos/IBC CLI
gaiad — Cosmos Hub CLI
`bash
go install github.com/cosmos/gaia/v16@latest
gaiad config chain-id cosmoshub-4
gaiad keys add mykey --keyring-backend os
gaiad query bank balances $(gaiad keys show mykey -a)
gaiad tx bank send mykey cosmos1recipient 1000000uatom --chain-id cosmoshub-4 --gas auto --fees 5000uatom
hermes — IBC Relayer
`bash
cargo install --git https://github.com/informalsystems/ibc-relayer-cli hermes --locked
hermes create channel cosmoshub osmosis --port-a transfer --port-b transfer
hermes query packet commitments cosmoshub channel-0 1000
CLI tools specifically for DeFi
DeFiLlama CLI - Analysis
`bash
npm install -g @defillama/cli
defillama protocol uniswap
defillama chain ethereum
fill in pools --chain ethereum --protocol uniswap
Coingecko CLI - Market Data
`bash
npm install -g coingecko-cli
coingecko price bitcoin ethereum cardano solana --vs-currency usd
coingecko trending
DefiLlama adapter (custom configuration)
`bash
cat > vietnam-defi-adapter.js << 'EOF'
Examples of workflows between chains
Model 1: EVM → Cardano Bridge (via Wanchain/Multichain)
`bash
cast send 0xBridgeContract "deposit(address,uint256,bytes)" 0xToken 1000000 "0xCardanoAddress" --rpc-url $ETH_RPC --private-key $PK
cast logs --address 0xBridgeContract --from-block latest --to-block latest "Deposited(address,uint256,bytes)" --rpc-url $ETH_RPC
cardano-cli latest transaction build \ --tx-in $BRIDGE_UTXO \ --tx-in-script-file bridge-validator.plutus \ --tx-in-datum-file deposit-datum.json \ --tx-in-redeemer-file claim-redeemer.json \ --mainnet --out-file claim.draft
Model 2: Solana ↔ EVM (Wormhole)
`bash
solana program execute wormhole_bridge_program "post_message" --data
cast send 0xWormholeCore "verifyAndExecute(bytes,bytes[])"
Model 3: Bitcoin → DeFi (via Babylon/Lorenzo)
`bash
bitcoin-cli -rpcwallet=btc walletcreatefundedpsbt '[]' '[{"babylon_staking_address": 100000000}]'
lorenzo-cli stake --btc-txid
defillama yields --protocol babylon --chain bitcoin
Vietnamese developer background
Termux - First Working Mode
`bash
pkg install git nodejs-lts rust openssl libffi clang
wget https://github.com/IntersectMBO/cardano-node/releases/download/8.0.0/cardano-cli-8.0.0-aarch64-linux.tar.gz
sh -c "$(curl -sSfL https://release.solana.com/v1.18.0/install)"
Activity of Stablecoin VNDC/VNDT
`bash
cast call 0xVNDC_Contract "balanceOf(address)" 0xYourAddress --rpc-url https://bsc-dataseed.binance.org/
tronweb contract call VNDT_Contract balanceOf 0xYourAddress
1inch swap --from-token 0xVNDC_BSC --to-token 0xVNDT_TRON --amount 1000000000 --chain 56 --dest-chain 195
Write scripts using the Mobile-First approach
`bash
termux-notification --title "DeFi Bot" --content "Swap executed: 1000 USDC → 0.98 ETH"
sv-enable crond echo "0 /6 $HOME/scripts/yield-harvest.sh" >> /data/data/com.termux/files/usr/var/spool/cron/crontabs/$(whoami)
Quick reference tables
Compare EVM tools
| Activity | casting (foundry) | casting (foundry) | helmet | 1inch CLI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Settings | foundryup | foundryup | npm i -D hardhat | npm i -g @1inch/cli |
| See balance | 'balance account' | N/A | 'npx hardhat console' | N/A |
| Call contract | 'Call the actor' | 'programming language' | 'npx hardhat call' | N/A |
| Send tx | cast send | forge script --broadcast | 'npx hardhat run' | 1inch swap |
| Settings | N/A | forge create | 'npx hardhat run deploy' | N/A |
| Test | N/A | test forge | 'npx hardhat test' | N/A |
| Local node | 'hammer' | 'hammer' | npx hardhat node | N/A |
| JSON Export | --json | --json | By using the plugin | Native language |
Non-EVM Tools Comparison
| Activity | cardano-cli | solana CLI | bitcoin-cli | gaiad (Cosmos) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Settings | Binary/Nix | 'solana-install' | Bitcoin Core | go install |
| Key | --key-gen (payment+stake) | 'solana-keygen' | bitcoin-cli createwallet | gaiad keys add |
| See balance | query utxo | 'solana account' | listunspent | search bank balance |
| Create a transaction | create transaction | 'solana transfer' | 'createrawtransaction' | tx bank send |
| Proceed to sign the transaction | 'transaction symbol' | Automatic (key pair) | 'signrawtransactionwithwallet' | Automatic (key) |
| Send transaction | 'Submit Transaction' | Automatic | 'sendrawtransaction' | tx broadcast |
| Deposit | 'stake-address delegation' | 'solana delegate-stake' | N/A (LN: lncli) | tx staking delegate |
| Administration | "Management vote" | 'evaluate solana' | N/A | tx gov vote |
| JSON Export | Limited (jq needed) | --output json (default) | Native language | --output json |
Compare tools specifically for DeFi
| Tools | Purpose | Belt | Auth | Output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1inch CLI | Swap aggregation | EVM (1, 56, 137, 42161, 10, 8453...) | PK account / key storage | JSON |
| DeFiLlama CLI | TVL and performance analytics | All the key factors | None (public API) | JSON |
| Coingecko CLI | Price/market data | All | API key (optional) | JSON |
| Custom adapter | Local protocols | Vietnam (VNDC, VNDT) | API Key | JSON |
The decision tree across the chain
Quick decision guide:
- What is this chain?
- Ethereum/EVM → Foundry (cast/forge) + 1inch CLI
- Cardano → cardano-cli + Ogmios/Kupo
- Solana → Anchor CLI (preferred) / solana CLI
- Bitcoin → bitcoin-cli + lncli (Lightning)
- Cosmos/IBC → gaiad + hermes
- What to do? - Search/read → Tier 1 (cast, cardano-cli query, solana account) - Create/verify/share contracts → Tier 2 (forge, anchor, hardhat) - DeFi actions (transactions, LP, stake) → Tier 3 (1inch, defillama) + depending on the chain
- Environment?
- Local development → anvil/cardano-cli testnet/solana-test-validator
- CI/CD → Foundry (bare, static binaries)
- Phone (Termux) → Only static binaries (cardano-cli, solana, bitcoin-cli)
- Production server → All levels, prioritize JSON output for monitoring
FAQ
Question: Which CLI should I learn first?
A: Start with Foundry if working on EVM - this is the modern, fastest standard and can transfer skills to other Rust-based tooling systems (Solana Anchor, Cosmos). For Cardano, cardano-cli is mandatory; there is no programming framework that describes it well.
Question: How do I securely handle private keys in CLI commands?
A: Never use a fixed key. Use:
Q: Can I use one CLI for all strings?
A: There is no common "kubectl for DeFi" yet. 1inch's CLI supports EVM transactions. DeFiLlama's CLI supports analysis across chains. To build transactions, you need specialized 1st-level tools for each chain. This gap is an open opportunity.
Question: How do I create a Cardano CLI script without a JSON output?
A: Use jq to parse the text results, or use Ogmios/Kupo for accurate JSON APIs:
UTXOS=$(curl -s "http://localhost:1442/matches/$(cat address.addr)?unspent=true") TX_IN=$(echo $UTXOS | jq -r '.[0].tx_hash + "#" + (.[0].tx_index | tostring)')
Question: What is the DeFi stack specifically for Vietnam?
A:
- Mobile dev: Termux + Foundry + cardano-cli (static binaries)
- Stablecoins: VNDC (BSC), VNDT (TRON) — requires custom CLI wrapper
- Payments: Momo/ZaloPay QR via Termux:API
- Exchanges: Coin98, BSCStation SDKs for CLI integration
- Community: Vietnam Blockchain Developers Discord — shared scripts, Termux usage tips
Question: How do I monitor the results of CLI commands in a production environment?
A:
- Exit code: All major CLIs return 0 on success, non-zero on failure
Conclusion
DeFi CLI tools have evolved into separate, blockchain-friendly ecosystems. The three-tier model (Node → Framework → Application) provides a mental map for selecting the right tool. Foundry dominates the EVM; cardano-cli is indispensable for Cardano; Anchor isolates the complexities of Solana; Bitcoin requires both bitcoin-cli and lncli; Cosmos uses gaiad + hermes.
For Vietnamese developers: Termux's compatibility makes versions of binaries with a fixed structure (cardano-cli, solana, bitcoin-cli, Foundry) a practical option. Local stablecoin operations (VNDC/VNDT) require custom CLI wrappers – an open opportunity for contributions.
The future is moving towards unified CLI DeFi abstractions (such as the defi-cli convention) that route commands to individual backend platforms. Until then, this reference is your cross-chain command map.
Last updated: 2026-09-04 | Reference versions: Foundry nightly, Hardhat 2.22, Cardano CLI 8.x, Solana 1.18, Bitcoin Core 27, Cosmos SDK 0.50