Welcome! This guide walks developers from first contact to a working integration with the Trezor Suite Developer Portal. Designed with clarity and practical examples, it covers the hardware fundamentals, Suite architecture, onboarding, API usage, security best practices, and helpful resources — all organized with clear headings (H1 → H5) and ready-to-copy HTML/code snippets.
Overview
The Trezor Suite Developer Portal is the central point for building secure wallets, merchant integrations, and experimental apps that interact safely with Trezor hardware wallets. Whether you are prototyping an app that reads public keys or building a custody product, this guide will help you make the right architectural choices and avoid common pitfalls.
What is Trezor & Trezor Suite?
Trezor hardware wallets store private keys in a secure element and expose only safe operations (signing, key derivation, public key export) to host applications. Trezor Suite is the official desktop + web application that communicates with the device and provides a polished UI. The Developer Portal exposes documentation, SDKs, and guides for building on top of the Suite ecosystem.
Who this guide is for
- Frontend engineers building wallet integrations.
- Backend engineers building transaction relays or custody services.
- Security engineers auditing hardware integrations.
- Product teams prototyping crypto UX with real hardware.
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure you have the essentials: a Trezor hardware device (Trezor One or Model T), a development machine, basic familiarity with JavaScript/TypeScript and Node.js, and a willingness to follow security first principles.
Hardware & Software checklist
- Trezor device (Model T recommended for touch screen flows)
- Latest Trezor Bridge or WebUSB enabled browser
- Node.js 16+ (for local dev)
- Yarn or npm
- Familiarity with BIP39, BIP32, BIP44 key derivation
Getting started — step by step
Step 1 — Install Suite & Connect Device
Install Trezor Suite from the official source and connect your device. For development, enable WebUSB or install Trezor Bridge. Confirm that your OS recognizes the device before continuing.
Quick check
1. Open Trezor Suite > Devices > Connect your device. 2. If prompted, install firmware updates only from the official app. 3. Test a simple operation like viewing the device name from Suite.
Step 2 — Register for Developer Portal (optional)
The Developer Portal may provide API keys, SDK downloads, and documentation. If needed, register or request access for private APIs. Many public docs are available without registration.
Step 3 — Local environment & SDK
Clone the official SDK repo or install the package. Keep your SDKs up-to-date and verify signatures for any binary dependencies. Example package install:
// npm npm install --save @trezor/connect // yarn yarn add @trezor/connect
Simple connection example (browser)
import TrezorConnect from "@trezor/connect";
TrezorConnect.init({ manifest: { email: 'dev@example.com', appUrl: 'https://example.com' } });
const res = await TrezorConnect.getPublicKey({ path: "m/44'/0'/0'/0/0" });
if (res.success) {
console.log("xpub:", res.payload.xpub);
} else {
console.error(res.payload.error);
}
Architecture & Workflows
Integrations typically follow one of three patterns: local (desktop app), web (WebUSB / iframe), or backend relayer (backend + user signing). Each has tradeoffs in user experience and risk profile.
Common flows
1. Read-only — public key discovery
Use the device to export public keys and addresses. This flow is low risk and ideal for account discovery.
2. Transaction signing (hot path)
The user constructs a transaction on the host, sends the unsigned payload to the device, and receives a signature. Minimize the data sent to the device to only what’s necessary for user verification.
3. Account management (seed & recovery)
Only allow seed creation and recovery through explicit device UI flows. Never ask the user to type their seed into your app.
Security Best Practices
Security is paramount. Hardware wallets reduce many risks but integrating incorrectly can still introduce vulnerabilities. Follow these rules:
Core security rules
- Never transmit private keys or seed material off-device.
- Verify all user-facing strings (amounts, destinations) are displayed on the device when signing.
- Use latest firmware and SDKs; monitor CVE advisories for components you use.
UI considerations (for H3/H4/H5)
Build clear UI flows that match the device prompts. When the device shows "Amount: 0.1 BTC", make sure your UI shows the exact same values (same decimal places, same currency unit) so users can compare easily.
Logging & telemetry
Avoid logging sensitive fields. Mask or hash any identifiers that could be linked to a user's on-chain addresses if not strictly necessary.
Developer examples
Example 1 — Simple address display
import TrezorConnect from "@trezor/connect";
TrezorConnect.getAddress({ path: "m/44'/0'/0'/0/0", showOnDevice: true })
.then(response => {
if (response.success) {
document.getElementById('address').textContent = response.payload.address;
} else {
console.error(response.payload.error);
}
});
Example 2 — Sign a message
Signing a message is useful for off-chain proofs. Ensure the message is human-readable on both host and device.
TrezorConnect.signMessage({ path: "m/44'/0'/0'/0/0", message: "I approve this operation" })
.then(res => console.log(res));
Testing & Continuous Integration
Automate tests for your integration but never store real keys in CI. Use testnets, emulators, or mock the device APIs during automated runs.
Recommended test approach
- Unit tests for business logic (no device required).
- Integration tests against a local hardware emulator or a disposable test device.
- Manual E2E tests using a physical device for release checks.
UX Guidance
Good UX builds trust. Keep flows short, show clear errors, and explain why an action needs a device confirmation.
Prompts & error handling
Map SDK error codes to friendly messages. Example: if the device is disconnected mid-sign, surface an explanation like "Device disconnected — please reconnect and retry".
API reference highlights
The Developer Portal and SDK expose common calls such as getPublicKey, getAddress, signTransaction, signMessage, and device management endpoints. Use these building blocks to compose your higher-level workflows.
Rate limits & throttling
Most official endpoints are single-user and local, but if you use any remote Developer APIs, observe rate limits to prevent service disruption.
Troubleshooting
Common issues
Device not recognized
- Ensure Trezor Bridge is installed or WebUSB is enabled in the browser.
- Check cable and USB port (some cables are power-only).
- Update to the latest firmware via the official Trezor Suite.
Signatures rejected
Confirm the transaction data shown on the device matches what your host produced. Differences in fee units, address formats, or rounding may cause rejection.
Deployment & Maintenance
After shipping, maintain your integration by monitoring SDK updates, device firmware changes, and security advisories. Have a plan to rotate any API keys and respond quickly to security incidents.
Versioning
Pin SDK versions with a clear update policy — e.g., monthly review and a bail-out plan for breaking updates.
Resources & Links
Below are 10 office-style links (placeholders you can replace with your organization's or the official Developer Portal links). These are intentionally provided as clickable anchors to guide you to the resources you likely need while building.
Quick launch checklist (copyable)
✅ Confirm device firmware is up-to-date
✅ Install SDK & run sample apps
✅ Test getAddress and signMessage on a testnet account
✅ Implement clear UI prompts matching device UI
✅ Review logging & telemetry to avoid secrets
✅ Add device disconnect/reconnect handling
✅ Run manual E2E tests with a physical device
✅ Pin SDK versions and schedule security reviews
Conclusion
Integrating with hardware wallets like Trezor is a high-value but security-sensitive capability. Follow a conservative, security-first approach: keep private data on-device, verify user-visible strings, and make UX decisions that promote clarity and trust. Use the Developer Portal resources and the links above to find SDKs, examples, and community support.
Next steps
- Try the code snippets above in a small demo project.
- Add user-facing checks and device prompts aligned with device UI.
- Share your integration with the community for feedback.