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Getting Started

TESTNET ONLY

SELF Chain is currently in testnet phase.

  • Do not use real assets or deploy production applications
  • Testnet tokens have ZERO monetary value
  • Network may reset at any time without notice
  • All data is temporary and will be lost
Development Status

These developer resources are in beta. Many features are still being developed. See Project Status for current capabilities.

Welcome Developers!​

Welcome to SELF Chain - a revolutionary blockchain powered by Proof-of-AI (PoAI) consensus. This guide will help you start building on our testnet.

🚧 Current Testnet Status​

  • Phase: Active Testnet (Internal Testing)
  • Network: Resets frequently for testing
  • Tokens: Test tokens only - ZERO monetary value
  • Stability: Expect disruptions and downtime
  • Features: Limited functionality - see Project Status

Prerequisites​

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  • Rust 1.70 or higher
  • Node.js 18 or higher
  • Git
  • Docker (optional, for containerized development)
  • Basic understanding of blockchain concepts

Testnet Setup Guide​

Technical Expertise Required

This guide requires blockchain development experience. Easy-access developer tools (API, SDK, faucet) are not yet available. See Project Status for current limitations.

1. Clone the Repository​

git clone https://github.com/SELF-Technology/self-chain-public.git
cd self-chain-public

2. Set Up Testnet Configuration​

Create a testnet configuration file:

# WARNING: This is a template - adjust for your setup
# This example shows the planned configuration format
cp config/testnet.example.toml config/testnet.toml

⚠ī¸ IMPORTANT: Never use mainnet keys or real funds on testnet!

3. Get Testnet Tokens​

Testnet tokens are available from our faucet:

# ⚠ī¸ NOT YET AVAILABLE
# The testnet currently operates without a token economy
# Token faucet will be available when the token system is implemented
# See Project Status section for updates

4. Connect to Testnet​

// ⚠ī¸ CODE EXAMPLE - NOT YET FUNCTIONAL
// JavaScript SDK is currently in development
// This shows the planned API interface:

const { SELFClient } = require('@self-chain/sdk'); // Package not yet published

const client = new SELFClient({
  network: 'testnet',
  endpoint: 'https://testnet-api.self.app', // API Gateway not yet deployed
  // WARNING: This is a testnet endpoint - do not send real assets!
});

Developer Expectations​

What You Can Do Today​

✅ Available Now:

  • Clone and build the SELF Chain node from source
  • Run a local development node for testing
  • Connect to the testnet by running your own node
  • Explore the open source codebase
  • Test core blockchain functionality
  • Participate in consensus as a validator (requires AI setup)

What's Coming Soon​

🔄 In Active Development:

  • Public API Gateway for easy testnet access
  • JavaScript/TypeScript SDK
  • Token faucet for getting test tokens
  • Configuration templates and Docker images
  • Comprehensive developer documentation

What's Not Ready Yet​

❌ Not Available:

  • Production deployment (testnet only)
  • Direct API access without running a node
  • SDK packages (npm, crates.io, pip)
  • GUI tools or block explorer
  • Smart contract deployment
  • Stable network (expect resets)

Required Technical Skills​

To work with SELF Chain today, you should be comfortable with:

  • Building Rust projects from source
  • Running command-line blockchain nodes
  • Understanding P2P networking basics
  • Debugging configuration issues
  • Working without extensive documentation

If this seems daunting, consider waiting for our developer tools release later this year, which will provide a much easier onboarding experience.

Understanding PoAI Consensus​

SELF Chain uses Proof-of-AI (PoAI) consensus, which is fundamentally different from traditional blockchains:

  1. AI-Block Builders create optimal blocks
  2. Voting Algorithm coordinates consensus
  3. AI-Validators determine the winning block

Learn more: Proof-of-AI Documentation

Testnet Limitations​

What You CAN Do on Testnet:​

  • ✅ Test smart contracts
  • ✅ Experiment with PoAI consensus
  • ✅ Build and test dApps
  • ✅ Report bugs and issues
  • ✅ Learn the SELF Chain architecture

What You CANNOT Do on Testnet:​

  • ❌ Use real cryptocurrency
  • ❌ Deploy production applications
  • ❌ Expect persistent data (resets may occur)
  • ❌ Rely on uptime guarantees
  • ❌ Transfer testnet tokens to mainnet

Development Workflow​

1. Local Development​

For local testing without connecting to testnet:

# Start local development node
cargo run --bin self-chain-node -- --dev

# This runs a local instance with:
# - Instant block production
# - Pre-funded test accounts
# - No real PoAI consensus (simplified for development)

2. Testnet Deployment​

When ready to test on the actual testnet:

# Build your application
cargo build --release

# Deploy to testnet (example)
self-chain-cli deploy --network testnet --contract ./target/wasm32-unknown-unknown/release/my_contract.wasm

3. Monitoring Your Application​

# Check transaction status
self-chain-cli tx status <tx_hash> --network testnet

# Monitor blocks
self-chain-cli blocks watch --network testnet

Available Tools & Resources​

Command Line Interface (CLI)​

# Install CLI
cargo install self-chain-cli

# View available commands
self-chain-cli --help

SDKs (Coming Soon)​

  • Rust SDK: Native Rust integration
  • JavaScript/TypeScript SDK: For web developers
  • Python SDK: For data scientists and researchers
  • Go SDK: For backend services

Documentation​

Common Testnet Issues​

Connection Problems​

# Check testnet status (Coming soon)
# curl https://testnet-api.self.app/status

# Expected response:
# {
#   "network": "testnet",
#   "status": "operational",
#   "block_height": 12345,
#   "warning": "This is a test network - do not use real assets"
# }

Faucet Issues (When Available)​

  • Planned faucet limits: 100 TEST tokens per day per address
  • Support channels: GitHub Issues, Discord, Email (devs@self.app)
  • Test tokens have NO value

Network Resets​

  • Will be announced via:
    • GitHub Releases
    • Discord community
    • Social media channels
  • 48 hours advance notice
  • All testnet data will be wiped
  • New genesis block created

Security Considerations for Testnet​

Even on testnet, follow security best practices:

  1. Never share private keys - even testnet keys
  2. Don't reuse passwords from other services
  3. Report vulnerabilities to security@self.app
  4. Test edge cases - help us find bugs!

Getting Help​

Community Support​

  • GitHub: Issues & Discussions

    • Report bugs and request features
    • Technical discussions
    • Community contributions

  • Discord: Join our community

    • #testnet-help - Technical support
    • #dev-general - Development discussion
    • #bug-reports - Report issues

  • Email: devs@self.app for developer support

Resources​

Contributing​

We love contributions! Even in testnet phase, you can:

  1. Report bugs - Help us improve stability
  2. Suggest features - Shape the future of SELF Chain
  3. Write documentation - Help others get started
  4. Build example apps - Show what's possible

See Developing SELF Guide for guidelines.

Testnet Roadmap​

Completed​

  • ✅ Basic PoAI consensus
  • ✅ Transaction processing
  • ✅ Core blockchain implementation
  • ✅ Documentation foundation

Current (Q3 2025)​

  • 🔄 Public testnet deployment preparation
  • 🔄 API Gateway development
  • 🔄 Developer SDK creation
  • 🔄 Infrastructure setup

Next (Q4 2025)​

  • Public testnet launch
  • Token faucet activation
  • Block explorer deployment
  • Developer onboarding tools

⚠ī¸ Important Reminders​

  1. This is a TESTNET - Not for production use
  2. Test tokens have NO VALUE - Never buy/sell them
  3. Network may reset - Don't store important data
  4. Expect bugs - Report them to help us improve
  5. Have fun experimenting - That's what testnet is for!

Next Steps​

  1. Join our community:
  2. Review the Project Status
  3. Explore the codebase
  4. Build something amazing!
  5. Share your feedback via GitHub Issues or devs@self.app

Welcome to the future of blockchain - powered by AI! 🚀

Remember: Testnet is for testing. Mainnet is for changing the world.