Developer Resources

Build on Ballscoin. Or don't. The code is public either way.

Getting Started

Everything is open-source. The code is on GitHub. You can look at it. You can fork it. You can build stuff with it. Go wild.

Documentation

Docs exist. They explain things. Read them if you want.

GitHub Repository

All the code lives here. Clone it. Break it. Fix it. Submit a PR. The usual.

Running a Node

Running a full node is one of the most important ways to support the Ballscoin network. Full nodes validate all transactions and blocks, enforcing the consensus rules of the protocol.

System Requirements

  • • Desktop or laptop running Windows, macOS, or Linux
  • • 500 GB of free disk space (and growing)
  • • 2 GB of RAM minimum
  • • Broadband internet connection with upload speeds of at least 400 Kbps
  • • Unmetered or high upload limits (200+ GB per month)
  • • 6+ hours per day with node running

Installation Steps

1. Download Ballscoin Core

Download the latest version of Ballscoin Core from the official website. Verify the download using the provided checksums.

2. Install the Software

Run the installer and follow the setup wizard. Choose a location with sufficient disk space for the blockchain data.

3. Initial Sync

The initial blockchain sync will take several hours to days depending on your connection speed. During this time, your node downloads and verifies the entire blockchain history.

4. Configure Your Node

Edit the ballscoin.conf file to configure your node settings. Enable port forwarding on port 8333 to accept incoming connections. Or don't. It's optional but recommended.

Building Applications

Want to build something? Go for it. Use the APIs. Integrate with wallets. Make a dapp. Or a website. Or whatever. We're not going to tell you what to build.

Use the Network

Connect to a node. Query the blockchain. Send transactions. It's all available. The network doesn't care what you're building.

Libraries Exist

JavaScript, Python, Rust, whatever. Someone probably made a library. Use it. Or write your own. We're not stopping you.

Test on Testnet

Break stuff on testnet first. Then deploy to mainnet. Or skip testnet and YOLO it. Your choice. Your consequences.

Contributing

Want to contribute? Cool. Submit a PR. Write docs. Report bugs. Help out. The project is maintained by people who showed up and did stuff. Be one of those people.

Code

Write code. Submit PRs. Fix bugs. Add features. The usual open-source stuff.

Documentation

Docs can always be better. If you find something confusing, clarify it. Future you will thank present you.

Testing

Find bugs. Report them. Test new releases. Make sure things work. It's not glamorous but someone has to do it.

Best Practices

Security First

When building applications that handle user funds, security must be your top priority. Use established libraries, follow security best practices, and consider professional audits for production applications.

Test Thoroughly

Test on testnet before mainnet. Test edge cases. Test error handling. Test everything. Financial applications don't get second chances.

Follow Standards

Adhere to BIPs (Ballscoin Improvement Proposals) and established conventions. Interoperability depends on standards compliance.

Respect User Privacy

Minimize data collection. Don't link addresses unnecessarily. Respect the pseudonymous nature of the protocol. Users chose Ballscoin for a reason.

Stay Updated

The protocol evolves. Stay informed about network upgrades, security advisories, and new BIPs. Join developer mailing lists and follow the community. Or get left behind.

Additional Resources

Documentation

  • • Developer Guide
  • • API Reference
  • • BIP Repository
  • • Protocol Specification

Community

  • • Developer Mailing List
  • • IRC Channels
  • • Stack Exchange
  • • GitHub Discussions