Aztecscan - Grant proposal: Block Explorers

Aztec
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Title: Aztecscan

Contact Details

Summary

Aztecscan aims to develop a comprehensive, privacy-focused block explorer for the Aztec blockchain. Building upon our existing feature set, we will migrate to a more stable technology stack, implement additional critical features, and ensure a high-quality user experience. Our focus will be on delivering a robust tool that allows users and developers to monitor transactions and the health of the Aztec network while preserving privacy. This project will enhance the usability of the Aztec blockchain, providing essential insights into transaction details, block data, and contract interactions.

Estimated Start and End Date

  • Start Date: August 1, 2024
  • End Date: November 30, 2024
  • ETA Launch: beginning of November

Project Details

Team

  • Oleh: Senior Developer with extensive experience in blockchain development
  • Mid-Level Full Stack Developer: Skilled in front-end and back-end development, ensuring seamless integration and functionality

The team has a hands-on experience in Aztec development and a strong understanding of blockchain technology, ensuring the successful delivery of the project. Our portfolio includes:

  • ShieldSwap - a privacy-focused DEX on Aztec Network that allows users to leverage private hybrid swaps (either AMM or Limit Order Book) and earn yield in private liquidity pools.
  • ShieldWallet - a wallet that allows users to interact with the Aztec Network dApps, manage their assets, and view their transaction history.
  • L1 Transact SDK - a JavaScript SDK for easy cross-chain transactions between Ethereum and Aztec networks.
  • Aztecscan - the current MVP block explorer for the Aztec Network.

Technical System Design

  • Tech Stack:
    • Frontend: TypeScript + SvelteKit + Tailwind CSS
    • Backend: Node.js (TBD due to performance concerns) + PostgreSQL

Grant Milestones and Roadmap

Milestone 0: The MVP (REACHED - May 2024)

  • View all blocks
  • View all transactions
  • View transactions for a block
  • View a block
  • View a transaction
  • View an address
  • Interact with a contract (Read or Write)
  • Search by block number, transaction hash, address

Visit aztecscan.xyz to see the MVP in action.

Milestone 1: The Indexer. Migration (by 23 Aug 2024)

  • Design a database schema for the new indexing system
  • Migrate indexing of blocks and transactions
  • Implement end-to-end tests for the new indexing system to ensure correctness and resilience

Milestone 2: The Indexer. Fees (by 06 Sep 2024)

  • Implement fee data indexing and display comprehensive information on gas and fees for transactions and blocks
  • Implement indexing of events

Milestone 3: The Indexer. Public Calls (by 27 Sep 2024)

  • Implement indexing of public calls
  • Implement displaying of public calls

Milestone 4: The Explorer (by 18 Oct 2024)

  • Hire a designer to create a unique UI and user-friendly UX
  • Migrate to Tailwind CSS from raw CSS and implement the new design
  • Improve contract interaction UI (“Read”, “Write”, and “Code” tabs on the contract page)

Milestone 5: The Testnet (by 7 Nov 2024)

  • Create an “Ecosystem” page listing projects on Aztec Network
  • Switch indexing from Aztec Sandbox to the public testnet
  • Test the system on the public testnet
  • Implement a monitoring system for the indexer and the explorer
  • Optional: Implement public portfolio indexing for users to track their assets
  • Optional: Implement an API for the explorer to allow other projects to use the indexed data

Milestone 6: The Testnet. Stability (by 30 Nov 2024)

  • Maintenance, devops and testnet stability and performance improvements

Milestone 7: The Mainnet (TBD)

  • Switch indexing from the public testnet to the mainnet
  • Develop a monetisation strategy for long-term sustainability (ads, RPC SaaS, paid API access, etc.)

Grant Amount Requested

  • Total Requested: $40,000
    • $36,000 for developer salaries: $9,000 per month for 2 developers (combined) over 4 months
    • $2,000 for designer costs
    • $2,000 for infrastructure costs

Grant Budget Rationale

The requested amount ensures sufficient funds to cover salaries for a senior developer and a mid-level full stack developer over four months, along with necessary designer and infrastructure costs. Additionally, the grant amount partially covers the already developed MVP. This budget allows us to focus on delivering a high-quality, robust block explorer.

Questions

  • What level of detail is expected in the transaction effects displayed on the block explorer?
  • Will public calls info be available in PXE RPC or will we need to implement a custom solution?
  • Are there any additional features or integrations you would like to see in the block explorer(contract verification, public portfolio tracking, etc)?
5 Likes
2

Thank you for the post @oleh!

I appreciate your focus on long term business business sustainability and indexing.
FWIW around milestone 7, if you decide to spin out your indexer, it could be another mechanism for sustainability.

An indexer would be useful for similar reasons as Ethereum but also some unique aztec specific things like a user to figure out which unencrypted logs belong to them!

  • What level of detail is expected in the transaction effects displayed on the block explorer?
    similar to etherscan (or whatever Aztec exposes)
  • Will public calls info be available in PXE RPC or will we need to implement a custom solution?
    It should be available in the aztec node. For an explorer you won’t have access to a particular person’s PXE.