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Version: v0.86.0

Getting Started on Aztec Testnet

This guide will walk you through setting up and using the Aztec testnet. By the end, you'll have created an account, deployed a contract, and performed some basic operations.

If you already have an app on sandbox, you might want to check out the sandbox to testnet guide.

Key Terms​

In this guide you will see these terms:

  • aztec: a command-line tool for interacting with aztec testnet (& sandbox local environments)
  • aztec-nargo: a command-line tool for compiling contracts
  • aztec.nr: a Noir library used for writing Aztec smart contracts
  • aztec-wallet: A tool for creating and interacting with Aztec wallets
  • sandbox: A local development environment

Prerequisites​

Before you begin, you'll need to install:

  1. Docker

Install Aztec CLI​

Run this:

bash -i <(curl -s https://install.aztec.network)

Then install the version of the network running the testnet:

aztec-up 0.85.0-alpha-testnet.2
warning

The testnet is version dependent. It is currently running version 0.85.0-alpha-testnet.2. Maintain version consistency when interacting with the testnet to reduce errors.

Step 1: Deploy an account to testnet​

Aztec uses account abstraction, which means:

  • All accounts are smart contracts (no EOAs)
  • Account signature schemes are private
  • Accounts only need deployment if they interact with public components
  • Private contract interactions don't require account deployment
  1. Set some variables that we need:
export NODE_URL=http://34.107.66.170
export SPONSORED_FPC_ADDRESS=0x0b27e30667202907fc700d50e9bc816be42f8141fae8b9f2281873dbdb9fc2e5
  1. Create a new account:
aztec-wallet create-account \
    --register-only \
    --node-url $NODE_URL \
    --alias my-wallet

You should see the account information displayed in your terminal.

  1. Register your account with the fee sponsor contract:
aztec-wallet register-contract \
    --node-url $NODE_URL \
    --from my-wallet \
    --alias sponsoredfpc \
    $SPONSORED_FPC_ADDRESS SponsoredFPC \
    --salt 0

This means you won't have to pay fees - a sponsor contract will pay them for you. Fees on Aztec are abstracted, so you can pay publicly or privately (even without the sequencer knowing who you are).

You should see that the contract SponsoredFPC was added at a specific address.

  1. Deploy your account (even though we don't have to):
aztec-wallet deploy-account \
    --node-url $NODE_URL \
    --from my-wallet \
    --payment method=fpc-sponsored,fpc=contracts:sponsoredfpc \
    --register-class

Note: The first time you run these commands, it will take longer as some binaries are installed. This command is generating a client-side proof!

You should see the tx hash in your terminal.

Step 2: Deploy and interact with a token contract​

  1. Deploy a token contract:
aztec-wallet deploy \
    --node-url $NODE_URL \
    --from accounts:my-wallet \
    --payment method=fpc-sponsored,fpc=contracts:sponsoredfpc \
    --alias token \
    TokenContract \
    --args accounts:my-wallet Token TOK 18

You should see confirmation that the token contract is stored in the database.

  1. Mint 10 private tokens to yourself:
aztec-wallet send mint_to_private \
    --node-url $NODE_URL \
    --from accounts:my-wallet \
    --payment method=fpc-sponsored,fpc=contracts:sponsoredfpc \
    --contract-address last \
    --args accounts:my-wallet accounts:my-wallet 10

You should see confirmation that the tx hash is stored in the database.

  1. Send 2 private tokens to public:
aztec-wallet send transfer_to_public \
    --node-url $NODE_URL \
    --from accounts:my-wallet \
    --payment method=fpc-sponsored,fpc=contracts:sponsoredfpc \
    --contract-address last \
    --args accounts:my-wallet accounts:my-wallet 2 0

You should see confirmation that the tx hash is stored in the database.

  1. Check your balances

Private balance:

aztec-wallet simulate balance_of_private \
    --node-url $NODE_URL \
    --from my-wallet \
    --contract-address last \
    --args accounts:my-wallet

You should see 8n.

Public balance:

aztec-wallet simulate balance_of_public \
    --node-url $NODE_URL \
    --from my-wallet \
    --contract-address last \
    --args accounts:my-wallet

You should see 2n.

Next Steps​

Congratulations! You've now learned the fundamentals of working with the Aztec testnet. Here are some resources to continue your journey: