Getting Started

Building on Aztec

There are two common ways that developers can start building on Aztec:

1. Build a user-facing application that connects to the Aztec network via the TypeScript SDK.
2. Build an Aztec Connect bridge that connects the Aztec network to Ethereum smart contracts.

We are also working on Noir, a domain specific language that can be used to develop ZK-provable programs. Scroll down for more details.

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Running out of ideas to build? Check our Grants for inspirations!

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The Aztec core engineering team has a regular release cadence that will occasionally introduce breaking changes. Updates are typically applied to Testnet on Thursdays, which are tested and monitored over the weekend and would be pushed to Mainnet afterwards.

We are working on making this process more transparent. Feel free to get in touch if you have any queries.

Testnet Information

caution

Our testnet is currently undergoing maintenance. If you need access to an Aztec testing environment, please reach out via email.

You can run a local development environment by following the instructions on this page.

Building with the SDK

Setup

To start using the SDK, install it in your project by running:

yarn add @aztec/sdk

And import it into your project:

import { createAztecSdk } from "@aztec/sdk";

For a proper walkthrough of setting up the SDK, check the SDK Setup page.

Example Code

To learn how the SDK works in action, the CLI page provides a detailed breakdown of the Aztec CLI tool powered by the SDK.

If you are building a web interface, you might also find the Frontend Boilerplate useful as a starting point.

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By default, Aztec transactions could take up to a few hours to settle on the Testnet like on Mainnet. If you want transactions to settle quickly, be sure to set TxSettlementTime as INSTANT.

INSTANT transactions pay higher fees in Testnet ETH in exchange for settlement within minutes rather than hours.

Aztec SDK Resources

• 🧑‍💻 Aztec SDK npm
• 🧑‍💻 Aztec SDK GitHub Repo
• 🎥 ETHBogota Workshop - Aztec CLI / SDK
• ✍️ Getting Started with Aztec CLI / SDK
• 📝 Aztec CLI
• 📝 Aztec Frontend Boilerplate
• 📱 zk.money (Testnet)
• 🔍 Testnet Block Explorer
• 🔍 Testnet Falafel Status API

Building an Aztec Connect Bridge Contract

The Aztec Connect Bridges page covers how to develop an Aztec Connect Bridge in great detail.

The Aztec Connect Bridges repository has the most up to date information and materials for creating a bridge contract.

Bridges Resources

• 🧑‍💻 Aztec Connect Bridges GitHub Repo
• 🎥 ETHBogota Workshop - Aztec Connect Bridges
• ✍️ Getting Started with Aztec Connect Bridges
• ✍️ Element Bridge Explained

Building in Noir

Noir is a domain specific language for building programs provable with Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKP), tapping into the privacy and scaling benefits ZKP technology has to offer.

The Noir page covers how to install and develop in Noir in great detail.

Noir Resources

• 📓 The Noir Book
• 🧑‍💻 Noir GitHub Repo
• 🎥 ETHBogota Workshop - Noir
• ✍️ Getting Started with Noir
• 📝 Standard Noir Example
• 📝 Mastermind in Noir
• 📝 Semaphore in Noir (Concept Build)

Get in Touch

Discord

Join Aztec Discord for discussions across channels:

• #💻│aztec-connect for SDK & Bridges
• #🖤│noir for Noir
• #🇨🇴│ethbogota for the ETHBogota Hackathon

Aztec Core Team Contacts

All questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, etc. welcome.

Name	Role	Discord	Telegram	Twitter	Email
Josh	Developer Relations	joshc#6779	@crites	@critesjosh_	josh@aztecprotocol.com
Savio	Developer Relations	Globallager#4834	@Globallager	@globallager	savio@aztecprotocol.com
Lasse	Engineer - Bridge & Smart Contract	LHerskind#8376		@HerskindLasse	lasse@aztecprotocol.com
Maxim	Engineer - Noir	vezzie#7609		@maximvezenov	maxim@aztecprotocol.com