What is a Bitcoin output descriptor?
A short string that describes exactly how a wallet's addresses and spending rules are made from its keys, so any wallet can rebuild the same setup.
A descriptor spells out the script type, the keys or xpubs and the derivation paths in one string, such as wpkh(xpub…/84'/0'/0'/0/*). With it, software can find every address and coin of a wallet without guessing.
Defined across BIPs 380–386, descriptors are how modern wallets back up and share watch-only setups, multisigs and Miniscript vaults. Like an xpub, a descriptor reveals addresses and history, so treat it as private — though it cannot spend without private keysPrivate keyThe secret number that lets you spend your bitcoin. Whoever knows it controls the coins, so it must never be shared..
References
- Bitcoin Improvement Proposals, “BIP-380: Output Script Descriptors General Operation”.