Quickstart

This guide covers environment setup, contract deployment, and interaction with Plasma’s EVM compatible testnet using Hardhat. It assumes basic familiarity with Ethereum tooling and smart contract development.

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Prerequisites

• Node.js 20+
• Basic knowledge of Ethereum development
• Browser wallet

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Environment Setup

Use Hardhat to build and deploy contracts.

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Hardhat Setup

1. Create a new project directory and initialize:
   mkdir my-plasma-project
   cd my-plasma-project
   npm init -y
   npm install --save-dev hardhat @nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox
   npm install dotenv
   npx hardhat init
   
2. Follow the steps to create a JavaScript project. Save the project wherever you want. You likely don’t need a .gitignore file for this quickstart.
3. Configure hardhat.config.js for Plasma testnet:
   require("@nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox");
   require("dotenv").config();
   
   /** @type import('hardhat/config').HardhatUserConfig */
   module.exports = {
     solidity: "0.8.28",
     networks: {
       plasmaTestnet: {
         url: process.env.RPC_ENDPOINT,
         chainId: 9746,
         accounts: [process.env.PRIVATE_KEY] // We'll set this up next.
       }
     }
   };
   

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Wallet & Testnet Setup

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Add Plasma Testnet to Your Browser Wallet

1. Open your browser wallet (MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or Rabby) and click the network selector.
2. Select the option to add a custom network (for example, Add Network, Add manually, or Add custom network).
3. Enter these details:
   • Network Name: Plasma Testnet
   • New RPC URL: https://testnet-rpc.plasma.to
   • Chain ID: 9746
   • Currency Symbol: XPL
   • Block Explorer URL: https://testnet.plasmascan.to
4. Save the network and switch to the Plasma Testnet in your wallet.

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Get Testnet Tokens

1. Copy your wallet address from your browser wallet.
2. Visit openfaucet.org.
3. Enter your address and request testnet tokens.
4. Wait for the transaction to complete (it should appear in your wallet within a few seconds).

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Set Up Environment Variables

1. Export your account’s private key using your browser wallet’s account settings.
2. Create a .env file in your project root:
   PRIVATE_KEY=your_private_key_here
   RPC_ENDPOINT=https://testnet-rpc.plasma.to
   

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Write a Simple Smart Contract

1. Create a basic storage contract contracts/SimpleStorage.sol:
   // SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
   pragma solidity ^0.8.28;
   
   contract SimpleStorage {
       string private storedData;
       
       event DataStored(string data);
       
       constructor() {
           storedData = "Hello, Plasma!";
       }
       
       function setData(string memory data) public {
           storedData = data;
           emit DataStored(data);
       }
       
       function getData() public view returns (string memory) {
           return storedData;
       }
   }
   
2. Compile the contract:
   npx hardhat compile
   
   This should output something like:
   Downloading compiler 0.8.28
   Downloading compiler 0.8.28
   Compiled 2 Solidity files successfully (evm target: paris).
   

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Testing

1. Create a test script test/SimpleStorage.js:
   const { expect } = require("chai");
   
   describe("SimpleStorage", function () {
     let simpleStorage;
   
     beforeEach(async function () {
       const SimpleStorage = await ethers.getContractFactory("SimpleStorage");
       simpleStorage = await SimpleStorage.deploy();
       await simpleStorage.waitForDeployment();
     });
   
     it("Should return the initial greeting", async function () {
       expect(await simpleStorage.getData()).to.equal("Hello, Plasma!");
     });
   
     it("Should update the stored data", async function () {
       await simpleStorage.setData("Updated data");
       expect(await simpleStorage.getData()).to.equal("Updated data");
     });
   });
   
2. Run the tests:
   npx hardhat test
   
   This should output something like:
   Lock
     Deployment
       ✔ Should set the right unlockTime (454ms)
       ✔ Should set the right owner
       ✔ Should receive and store the funds to lock
       ✔ Should fail if the unlockTime is not in the future
     Withdrawals
       Validations
         ✔ Should revert with the right error if called too soon
         ✔ Should revert with the right error if called from another account
         ✔ Shouldn't fail if the unlockTime has arrived and the owner calls it
       Events
         ✔ Should emit an event on withdrawals
       Transfers
         ✔ Should transfer the funds to the owner
   
   SimpleStorage
     ✔ Should return the initial greeting
     ✔ Should update the stored data
   
   
   11 passing (541ms)
   

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Deploy to Plasma Testnet

1. First, make a scripts directory:
   mkdir scripts
   
2. Next, create a script to deploy the contract scripts/deploy.js:
   async function main() {
     const SimpleStorage = await ethers.getContractFactory("SimpleStorage");
     
     console.log("Deploying SimpleStorage...");
     const simpleStorage = await SimpleStorage.deploy();
     await simpleStorage.waitForDeployment();
     
     const address = await simpleStorage.getAddress();
     console.log("SimpleStorage deployed to:", address);
   }
   
   main()
     .then(() => process.exit(0))
     .catch((error) => {
       console.error(error);
       process.exit(1);
     });
   
3. Deploy the contract:
   npx hardhat run scripts/deploy.js --network plasmaTestnet
   
   This should output something like:
   Deploying SimpleStorage...
   SimpleStorage deployed to: 0xaa4FB2A8eD6953A4e57b8097BAf048d7919e6262
   
4. Make a note of the deployed to: address. This is the address of your contract on the Plasma testnet.

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Verify Deployment

1. Copy the contract address.
2. Visit the Plasma testnet explorer.
3. Search for your contract address to view the deployment transaction.

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Troubleshooting