# How to write a Ruby gRPC client for the Lightning Network Daemon

This section enumerates what you need to do to write a client that communicates
with `lnd` in Ruby.

### Introduction

`lnd` uses the `gRPC` protocol for communication with clients like `lncli`.

`gRPC` is based on protocol buffers and as such, you will need to compile
the `lnd` proto file in Ruby before you can use it to communicate with `lnd`.

### Setup

Install gRPC rubygems:

```
$ gem install grpc
$ gem install grpc-tools
```

Clone the Google APIs repository:

```
$ git clone https://github.com/googleapis/googleapis.git
```

Fetch the `rpc.proto` file (or copy it from your local source directory):

```
$ curl -o rpc.proto -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/lightningnetwork/lnd/master/lnrpc/rpc.proto
```

Compile the proto file:

```
$ grpc_tools_ruby_protoc --proto_path googleapis:. --ruby_out=. --grpc_out=. rpc.proto
```

Two files will be generated in the current directory: 

* `rpc_pb.rb`
* `rpc_services_pb.rb`

### Example - Simple client to display wallet balance

Every time you use the Ruby gRPC you need to require the `rpc_services_pb` file.

We assume that `lnd` runs on the default `localhost:10009`.

We further assume you run `lnd` with `--no-macaroons`.

```ruby
#!/usr/bin/env ruby

$:.unshift(File.dirname(__FILE__))

require 'grpc'
require 'rpc_services_pb'

certificate = File.read(File.expand_path("~/.lnd/tls.cert"))
credentials = GRPC::Core::ChannelCredentials.new(certificate)
stub = Lnrpc::Lightning::Stub.new('127.0.0.1:10009', credentials)

response = stub.wallet_balance(Lnrpc::WalletBalanceRequest.new())
puts "Total balance: #{response.total_balance}"
```

This will show the `total_balance` of the wallet.

#### Example - Streaming client for invoice payment updates

```ruby
#!/usr/bin/env ruby

$:.unshift(File.dirname(__FILE__))

require 'grpc'
require 'rpc_services_pb'

certificate = File.read(File.expand_path("~/.lnd/tls.cert"))
credentials = GRPC::Core::ChannelCredentials.new(certificate)
stub = Lnrpc::Lightning::Stub.new('127.0.0.1:10009', credentials)

stub.subscribe_invoices(Lnrpc::InvoiceSubscription.new) do |invoice|
  puts invoice.inspect
end
```

Now, create an invoice on your node:

```bash
$ lncli addinvoice --amt=590
{
	"r_hash": <R_HASH>,
	"pay_req": <PAY_REQ>
}
```

Next send a payment to it from another node:

```
$ lncli sendpayment --pay_req=<PAY_REQ>
```

You should now see the details of the settled invoice appear.