@certnode/verify

Command-line tool to verify CertNode receipts with 3-layer cryptographic timestamp verification.

Features

- ✅ CertNode Timestamp - HMAC-SHA256, instant verification (<100ms)
- ✅ RFC 3161 Timestamp - Court-admissible Time Stamp Authority proof
- ✅ Bitcoin Anchor - Immutable blockchain proof via OpenTimestamps
- 🎨 Color-coded output - Easy-to-read verification results
- 📊 Multiple output formats - Human-readable or JSON
- ⚡ Fast - Typically completes in <2 seconds

Installation

``bash


Run directly with npx (no installation needed)

npx @certnode/verify receipt_abc123

Or install globally

npm install -g @certnode/verify
certnode-verify receipt_abc123
`

Usage

$3

`bash
npx @certnode/verify receipt_abc123
`

Output:
`
✓ Receipt Verification Complete

📄 Receipt Information
ID: receipt_abc123
Type: transaction
Created: 11/10/2025, 12:34:56 PM

🔐 Cryptographic Timestamps
✓ CertNode Timestamp
11/10/2025, 12:34:56 PM
Verified

✓ RFC 3161 Timestamp
11/10/2025, 12:34:58 PM
Verified

✓ Bitcoin Blockchain Anchor
Block 870234 (6 confirmations)

📊 Overall Status
✓ Fully Verified
`

$3

`bash
npx @certnode/verify receipt_abc123 --json
`

Output:
`json
{
"receipt_id": "receipt_abc123",
"valid": true,
"layers": {
"certnode": {
"present": true,
"valid": true,
"timestamp": "2025-11-10T12:34:56.789Z"
},
"rfc3161": {
"present": true,
"valid": true,
"timestamp": "2025-11-10T12:34:58.123Z"
},
"bitcoin": {
"present": true,
"valid": true,
"status": "confirmed",
"block_height": 870234,
"confirmations": 6
}
},
"summary": {
"total_layers": 3,
"verified_layers": 3,
"status": "fully_verified"
}
}
`

$3

`bash
npx @certnode/verify receipt_abc123 --api-url https://api.certnode.com
`

Options

| Option | Description | Default |
|--------|-------------|---------|
| --json | Output results as JSON | false |
| --api-url | Custom API endpoint | https://certnode.com |
| --help | Show help message | |
| --version | Show version number | |

Verification Levels

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All three timestamp layers verified successfully:
- CertNode timestamp valid
- RFC 3161 timestamp valid
- Bitcoin anchor confirmed

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Core timestamps verified, Bitcoin pending:
- CertNode timestamp valid
- RFC 3161 timestamp valid
- Bitcoin anchor pending confirmation

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Only CertNode timestamp verified:
- CertNode timestamp valid
- Other layers pending or not present

$3

Verification failed:
- Timestamp signatures invalid
- Receipt not found
- Network errors

Exit Codes

| Code | Meaning |
|------|---------|
| 0 | Verification successful |
| 1 | Verification failed |
| 2 | Receipt not found |
| 3 | Network error |
| 4 | Invalid arguments |

Examples

$3

`bash


Basic verification

npx @certnode/verify receipt_abc123

Get JSON output for scripting

npx @certnode/verify receipt_abc123 --json

Use in CI/CD pipeline

npx @certnode/verify $RECEIPT_ID --json > verification.json
`

$3

`bash


Verify multiple receipts


for receipt_id in receipt_1 receipt_2 receipt_3; do
npx @certnode/verify $receipt_id --json >> verifications.json
done
`

$3

`bash


Extract only the verification status

npx @certnode/verify receipt_abc123 --json | jq '.summary.status'

Check if Bitcoin anchor is confirmed

npx @certnode/verify receipt_abc123 --json | jq '.layers.bitcoin.status'

Get block height

npx @certnode/verify receipt_abc123 --json | jq '.layers.bitcoin.block_height'
`

Programmatic Usage

You can also use the verification library in your Node.js code:

`typescript
import { verifyReceipt } from '@certnode/verify'

const result = await verifyReceipt('receipt_abc123', {
apiUrl: 'https://certnode.com'
})

console.log(result.valid) // true
console.log(result.summary.status) // 'fully_verified'
console.log(result.layers.bitcoin.block_height) // 870234
`

How It Works

CertNode uses a 3-layer timestamp system for maximum proof strength:

$3

- HMAC-SHA256 signature
- Server signs receipt with secret key
- Verified in <100ms
- Proves receipt existed at specific time

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- Time Stamp Authority (TSA) signature
- Court-admissible legal proof
- Third-party verification
- TSA: freetsa.org

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- OpenTimestamps proof
- Anchored to Bitcoin block
- Immutable and permanent
- Independently verifiable

Troubleshooting

$3

`
Error: Receipt not found: receipt_abc123
`

Solution: Verify the receipt ID is correct

$3

`
Error: Network error: ECONNREFUSED
`

Solution: Check your internet connection or API endpoint

$3

`
⏳ Bitcoin Blockchain Anchor
Pending confirmation...
`

Solution: Bitcoin anchoring takes 1-2 hours. Check back later.

API

The CLI uses the CertNode verification API:

`
GET https://certnode.com/api/timestamps/verify?receipt_id={id}
``

See full API documentation at: https://docs.certnode.com/api/timestamps

Support

- Documentation: https://docs.certnode.com
- API Reference: https://docs.certnode.com/api
- Issues: https://github.com/srbryant86/certnode/issues
- Email: support@certnode.com

License

MIT © CertNode

Related

- CertNode Core - Receipt verification platform
- OpenTimestamps - Bitcoin timestamp proof
- RFC 3161 - Time-Stamp Protocol