Get Started¶
This resource provides quick-starts for building smart contracts on Polkadot Hub. Use the tables below to jump directly to the tools and workflows you need.
Quick Starts¶
Kick off development fast with curated links for connecting, funding, exploring, and deploying your first contract.
| Quick Start | Tools | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Connect to Polkadot | Polkadot.js, MetaMask | Add the network, configure RPC, verify activity in the explorer |
| Get Test Tokens | - | Request test funds to deploy and interact with contracts |
| Explore Transactions | Subscan | Inspect transactions, logs, token transfers, and contract state |
Build and Test Locally¶
Set up local environments and CI-friendly workflows to iterate quickly and validate changes before deploying.
| Build and Test Locally | Tools | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Run a Local Dev Node | Polkadot SDK node | Spin up a local node for iterative development |
| Use Remix for Development | Remix | Connect Remix to Polkadot Hub |
| Use Hardhat for Development | Hardhat | Project scaffolding and configuration |
| Use Foundry for Development | Foundry | Compile, test, deploy, and verify contracts |
| OpenZeppelin Contracts Wizard for Polkadot | OpenZeppelin | Generate secure ERC-20, ERC-721, and other OpenZeppelin-standard contracts for Polkadot Hub |
| Rust for PVM | LLMs, coding agents | Write PVM contracts in Rust; use AI assistants while tooling matures |
Differences Between Ethereum-native Tools and Polkadot EVM Networks¶
Tools like Foundry and Hardhat are built for standard Ethereum nodes. Polkadot EVM networks (such as Polkadot Hub) use the same Ethereum JSON‑RPC interface, but run on a different execution environment (Substrate with REVM or PVM). As a result:
- Local tests (e.g.,
forge test, Hardhat's default network) run in the tool's own EVM, not Polkadot's—so behavior can differ from the real chain. - Time and snapshot helpers (e.g.,
evm_increaseTime,loadFixture) are often not supported on Polkadot nodes. - Gas reports from these tools may not match what you see on-chain.
Recommendation: To check chain-specific behavior, run your contracts against a local dev node or a TestNet. For more details, see EVM vs PVM and Contract Deployment.
Ethereum Developer Resources¶
Bridge your Ethereum knowledge with Polkadot Hub specifics: account mapping, fees, JSON‑RPC, and deployment.
| Ethereum Developer Guides | Description |
|---|---|
| Accounts | How 20‑byte Ethereum addresses map to 32‑byte Polkadot accounts |
| Blocks, Transactions, and Fees | Transaction types, fees, and multi‑dimensional metering |
| Gas Model | Gas vs. weight, proof size, and storage deposits |
| Contract Deployment | Deployment mechanics, gas estimation, and storage model |
| JSON‑RPC APIs | Supported Ethereum JSON‑RPC methods and examples |
| Dual VM Stack | Overview of EVM and native execution on the Hub |
| Differences: Ethereum Tools vs Polkadot EVM | Limitations and differences when using Foundry, Hardhat, and other tools against Polkadot nodes |
Cookbook: Hands‑on Tutorials¶
Follow step‑by‑step guides that walk through common tasks and complete dApp examples.
| Tutorial | Tools | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy a Basic Contract | Remix | Minimal deployment walkthrough |
| Deploy an ERC‑20 | Remix, OpenZeppelin | Create, deploy, and mint a fungible token |
| Deploy an NFT (ERC‑721) | Remix, OpenZeppelin | Build and deploy an NFT collection |
| Uniswap V2 | Hardhat | Full dApp project: compile, test, deploy |
| Zero‑to‑Hero dApp | Multiple | End‑to‑end dApp patterns and practices |
Libraries¶
Choose the client libraries that fit your stack for connecting wallets and calling contracts.
| Library | Description |
|---|---|
| Ethers.js | Connect, sign, and interact with contracts using Ethers |
| viem | Type‑safe EVM interactions and utilities |
| Wagmi | React hooks for wallet connections and contract calls |
| Web3.js | Web3 provider and contract APIs |
| Web3.py | Python toolkit for on‑chain interactions and scripts |
Integrations¶
Integrate essential services like wallets, indexers, and oracles to round out your dApp.
| Integration | Description |
|---|---|
| Wallets | Supported wallets and configuration notes |
Precompiles¶
Discover precompiled system contracts available on the Hub and how to use them.
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Overview of Precompiles | What precompiles are available on the Hub |
| ETH Native | EVM precompiles and interfaces |
| XCM | Cross‑chain messaging helpers for contracts |
From here, follow the quick starts to get connected, iterate locally with your preferred tools, and use the guides, libraries, integrations, and precompiles as you grow into production‑ready dApps. If you get stuck, open an issue or reach out in the community channels.
| Created: January 14, 2026