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Introduction to OP_NET Development

Welcome to the developer's guide for OP_NET, the metaprotocol that brings smart contract functionality to Bitcoin. This guide will walk you through the basics of setting up your environment, understanding the core concepts, and starting your journey to build decentralized applications (dApps) on the Bitcoin blockchain.

New to OP_NET?

If you're new to OP_NET, we recommend reviewing the Learn Section for an introduction to the protocol and its features.

What You'll Learn​

This guide will help you:

  1. Set Up Your Environment: Learn the tools and dependencies required to build on OP_NET.
  2. Understand the Basics: Dive into fundamental concepts like accounts, contracts, and transactions.
  3. Build Your First dApp: Step-by-step instructions to deploy and interact with smart contracts.

Development Workflow​

Here’s an overview of the typical development process on OP_NET:

1. Install the prerequisites​

Ensure you have the necessary tools and dependencies installed on your system. Follow the instructions in the Prerequisites section.

2. Setting Up the Environment​

Prepare your development environment by installing the required tools, libraries, and SDKs. Follow the instructions in Setting Up Your Environment.

3. Writing and Deploying Smart Contracts​

Develop smart contracts using AssemblyScript or Rust, compile them to WebAssembly (Wasm), and deploy them to the OP_NET network. Learn more in the Smart Contract Development section.

4. Interacting with Contracts​

Leverage the OP_NET SDK to interact with deployed contracts, perform token transfers, and execute complex dApp logic. Learn more in the Interacting with a Contract.

5. Testing and Debugging​

Use the OP_NET unit testing framework to ensure your contracts behave as expected. Debug using built-in logging features. Learn more in the OP_NET Unit Test Framework.

Get Involved​

Join the OP_NET developer community to share ideas, get support, and collaborate:

Let’s start building the future of decentralized applications on Bitcoin with OP_NET!

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