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Guide · Open source

How to use v2ray-core: what it is and where to get it

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

v2ray-core, also called Project V, is an MIT-licensed Go platform for building your own proxy setup. This guide explains what the project is, what its README actually says about installing and using it, and where to find the current repository. By the end you will know whether this copy is the right one for you and how to get the source code.

V2Rayv2ray/v2ray-core · ★ 46.9k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Read the move notice. Open the README and note that the project has moved to github.com/v2fly/v2ray-core.
  2. 2Decide your goal. Choose whether you want to read the source code or to run a working proxy. Only the first is well supported by this repository.
  3. 3Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/v2ray/v2ray-core to download the source to your machine.
  4. 4Switch to the current repository. If you need an active project, go to github.com/v2fly/v2ray-core and use that source instead.

What is v2ray-core?

Project V is a set of network tools that help you build your own computer network. According to the README, it secures network connections and protects privacy. It is written in Go and released under the MIT License.

The README describes it as a platform for building proxies to bypass network restrictions. It is a toolkit for developers rather than a finished app.

  • Language: Go
  • Licence: MIT
  • Purpose: building your own proxy setup and securing network connections
  • Credits: gorilla/websocket and gRPC in production; miekg/dns and h12w/socks for testing only

Check the repository move before you start

The first line of the README says the project has moved to github.com/v2fly/v2ray-core. This copy at github.com/v2ray/v2ray-core may therefore be outdated.

If you need the current project, use the v2fly/v2ray-core repository. Treat this page as a pointer to that move rather than as a maintained release.

Get the source code by cloning the repository

The README gives one install command: cloning the repository. It lists no prerequisites and no build or run steps. Clone it to read the code or to inspect the project.

  • Clone this copy with the command below, then check the README for the move notice.
  • To reach the current project, look up v2fly/v2ray-core on GitHub instead.
git clone https://github.com/v2ray/v2ray-core

Know what this repository does not provide

The README gives no setup or usage guide, so this repository does not explain how to configure a proxy. The latest release lists no binaries, so you cannot simply download a ready-to-run program from it.

If you are a beginner who wants an app that works out of the box, this project is not the right starting point.

  • No setup or usage guide in the README
  • No downloadable binary in the latest release
  • No active maintenance claimed for this exact repository

Compare v2ray-core with related projects

The source lists comparable projects you may want to look at: v2fly/v2ray-core, Xray-core, sing-box and Shadowsocks. The README does not compare them, so judge each one on its own documentation and status.

For the current version of the Project V code, the v2fly/v2ray-core repository is the one the README points to.

  • v2fly/v2ray-core: the repository the README points to
  • Xray-core
  • sing-box
  • Shadowsocks

What people use it for

  • Reading the source of a Go proxy platform to learn how it is structured
  • Finding the current v2fly/v2ray-core repository after the move
  • Comparing Project V with other proxy projects before choosing one

Frequently asked questions

Is v2ray-core free?

Yes. The README links to the MIT License, which permits use of the code under its terms. Read the LICENSE file in the repository for the exact wording.

What are the requirements for v2ray-core?

The source lists no prerequisites. The README does not say which Go version or operating system you need.

How do I install v2ray-core?

The README only gives a git clone command for the repository. It does not describe a build or installation process.

Why does the README say the project moved?

The first line of the README points to github.com/v2fly/v2ray-core. This copy may therefore be outdated, so use the v2fly repository for the current project.

Is there a v2ray-core download for Windows or macOS?

The latest release lists no binaries, so this repository does not offer a ready-to-run file for any operating system.

What is the difference between v2ray-core and Xray-core?

The README does not compare them. Both are listed as comparable projects, so review their documentation to decide which fits your needs.

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Our verdict

Use v2ray-core if you are a developer who wants to read the source of a Go proxy platform, or if you need to find the current v2fly/v2ray-core repository. Pick a different tool if you want a ready-made app or a guided setup, since this repository provides neither.

Install options & downloads