Shared Setup

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This setup guide is shared by multiple Rootstock use-case tutorials. Complete it once, then return to the tutorial you’re following.

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+
• A wallet (e.g., MetaMask) configured for Rootstock testnet

Project initialization

mkdir rootstock-use-cases
cd rootstock-use-cases
npm init -y
npm install --save-dev hardhat

Install dependencies

npm install --save-dev @nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox
npm install @openzeppelin/contracts
npm install dotenv

Hardhat initialization

npx hardhat

If you already have a Hardhat project, you can skip initialization and only install the dependencies you need.

Recommended quickstarts (official)

If you prefer to follow the official Rootstock walkthroughs for Hardhat setup:

• Rootstock Hardhat quickstart
• Hardhat Ignition quickstart

Dependencies

Optional: Configure Hardhat Using Ethers v5 (For Compatibility with Some Guides)

Some tutorials use ethers.utils.* in test snippets. If your project uses ethers v6 tooling, those snippets will not match. In that case, install the ethers v5-style dependencies below and configure Hardhat accordingly.

npm install --save-dev hardhat @nomiclabs/hardhat-ethers ethers chai

Your hardhat.config.js should include:

require("@nomiclabs/hardhat-ethers");

module.exports = {
  solidity: "0.8.0",
};

Testnet configuration (Rootstock)

Create a .env file (do not commit it):

PRIVATE_KEY=your_testnet_private_key_here
ROOTSTOCK_TESTNET_RPC_URL=https://public-node.testnet.rsk.co

Then add a Rootstock testnet network entry to your Hardhat config.

// hardhat.config.js
require("@nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox");
require("dotenv").config();

module.exports = {
  solidity: "0.8.0",
  networks: {
    rootstockTestnet: {
      url: process.env.ROOTSTOCK_TESTNET_RPC_URL || "https://public-node.testnet.rsk.co",
      chainId: 31,
      accounts: process.env.PRIVATE_KEY ? [process.env.PRIVATE_KEY] : [],
    },
  },
};

Get Test RBTC

You’ll need tRBTC to pay gas fees when you deploy and test contracts on Rootstock testnet.

• Faucet: /dev-tools/additional-tools/#faucets
• Explorer: https://explorer.testnet.rootstock.io

After you request tRBTC, verify the funds arrived by searching your address on the explorer. If you run out of tRBTC, your deployments and transactions will fail due to insufficient gas.

Install OpenZeppelin

Install OpenZeppelin contracts:

npm install @openzeppelin/contracts

Most tutorials in this hub assume you can import OpenZeppelin components like:

import "@openzeppelin/contracts/token/ERC20/ERC20.sol";
import "@openzeppelin/contracts/access/Ownable.sol";

Compile

npx hardhat compile

Deploy

Most use-case tutorials include a deployment script under scripts/. A typical deployment command looks like:

npx hardhat run scripts/deploy.js --network rootstockTestnet

After deploy, verify your transaction on the Rootstock testnet explorer:

• https://explorer.testnet.rootstock.io

Verify

Verification depends on the specific explorer/tooling used by the guide you’re following. If your tutorial includes a verification command, run it after deployment and confirm the contract address and constructor args match your deploy output.