Web3 Full-Stack Systematic Build

This skill provides a structured, layer-by-layer approach to building complex full-stack Web3 applications. Follow this sequence to maintain clarity, reduce coupling, and enable incremental testing even when tool failures occur.

Phase 1: Project Structure

First, establish the complete directory structure before writing any code:

project-name/
├── contracts/
│   ├── interfaces/
│   ├── core/
│   ├── libraries/
│   └── deployment/
├── frontend/
│   ├── src/
│   │   ├── components/
│   │   ├── hooks/
│   │   ├── config/
│   │   └── utils/
│   └── public/
├── scripts/
│   ├── deploy/
│   └── test/
├── zk-circuits/
└── docs/

Action: Create all directories upfront using:

mkdir -p contracts/{interfaces,core,libraries,deployment}
mkdir -p frontend/src/{components,hooks,config,utils}
mkdir -p frontend/public
mkdir -p scripts/{deploy,test}
mkdir -p zk-circuits docs

Phase 2: Interface Contracts First

Define all interface contracts before implementing logic. This establishes clear API boundaries.

Example interface structure:

// contracts/interfaces/IToken.sol
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

interface IToken {
    function transfer(address to, uint256 amount) external returns (bool);
    function balanceOf(address account) external view returns (uint256);
    function approve(address spender, uint256 amount) external returns (bool);
}

Actions:

1. List all external protocols you'll integrate (e.g., Aave, Connext, Uniswap)
2. Create interface files for each protocol's required functions
3. Create interfaces for your own contracts' public APIs
4. Validate interface completeness before proceeding

Phase 3: Core Contract Implementation

Implement contracts in dependency order, starting with libraries, then core logic.

Order of implementation:

1. Libraries - Utility functions with no state dependencies
2. Base contracts - Abstract contracts with shared logic
3. Core contracts - Main business logic implementing interfaces
4. Integration contracts - Contracts that bridge multiple protocols

Example:

// contracts/core/PrivatePool.sol
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

import "../interfaces/IToken.sol";
import "../libraries/SafeMath.sol";

contract PrivatePool {
    using SafeMath for uint256;
    
    IToken public token;
    mapping(address => uint256) private balances;
    
    constructor(address _token) {
        token = IToken(_token);
    }
    
    function deposit(uint256 amount) external {
        token.transferFrom(msg.sender, address(this), amount);
        balances[msg.sender] = balances[msg.sender].add(amount);
    }
}

Actions:

1. Implement one contract at a time
2. Compile and test each contract before moving to the next
3. Keep contracts focused on single responsibilities
4. Document all state variables and functions

Phase 4: Frontend Configuration

Set up frontend infrastructure before building components.

Create these config files first:

1. Network configuration (

   frontend/src/config/networks.js

   ):

export const networks = {
  mainnet: {
    chainId: 1,
    rpcUrl: process.env.REACT_APP_MAINNET_RPC,
    explorer: 'https://etherscan.io'
  },
  testnet: {
    chainId: 5,
    rpcUrl: process.env.REACT_APP_TESTNET_RPC,
    explorer: 'https://goerli.etherscan.io'
  }
};

2. Contract addresses (

   frontend/src/config/contracts.js

   ):

export const contractAddresses = {
  PrivatePool: process.env.REACT_APP_PRIVATE_POOL_ADDRESS,
  Token: process.env.REACT_APP_TOKEN_ADDRESS
};

3. ABI imports (

   frontend/src/config/abis/

   ):

// Import compiled contract ABIs here
import PrivatePoolABI from './PrivatePool.json';
export { PrivatePoolABI };

Actions:

1. Create environment variable templates (

   .env.example

   )
2. Set up Web3 provider configuration (ethers.js, web3.js, or wagmi)
3. Configure wallet connection logic
4. Create utility functions for common operations

Phase 5: Component Development

Build frontend components in this order:

1. Utility components - Buttons, inputs, modals (no Web3 logic)
2. Web3 wrapper components - Wallet connection, network switcher
3. Contract interaction components - Forms that call contract functions
4. Data display components - Components showing on-chain data
5. Page components - Assembling everything into pages

Example component:

// frontend/src/components/DepositForm.jsx
import { useState } from 'react';
import { useContractWrite } from 'wagmi';
import { PrivatePoolABI } from '../config/abis';

export function DepositForm({ contractAddress, tokenAddress }) {
  const [amount, setAmount] = useState('');
  
  const { write: deposit } = useContractWrite({
    address: contractAddress,
    abi: PrivatePoolABI,
    functionName: 'deposit',
    args: [BigInt(amount)]
  });

  return (
    <form onSubmit={(e) => { e.preventDefault(); deposit(); }}>
      <input 
        value={amount} 
        onChange={(e) => setAmount(e.target.value)}
        placeholder="Amount"
      />
      <button type="submit">Deposit</button>
    </form>
  );
}

Actions:

1. Create components with clear prop interfaces
2. Implement error handling for all Web3 interactions
3. Add loading states for pending transactions
4. Test each component in isolation

Phase 6: Deployment Scripts

Create deployment scripts last, after all contracts are complete and tested.

Structure:

// scripts/deploy/01_deploy_token.js
async function main() {
  const Token = await ethers.getContractFactory("Token");
  const token = await Token.deploy();
  await token.deployed();
  console.log("Token deployed to:", token.address);
  
  // Save address for frontend config
  fs.writeFileSync(
    'frontend/.env',
    `REACT_APP_TOKEN_ADDRESS=${token.address}\n`,
    { flag: 'a' }
  );
}

Actions:

1. Create deployment scripts for each contract in dependency order
2. Include address saving mechanism for frontend integration
3. Create verification scripts for block explorers
4. Document deployment parameters and expected outputs

Key Principles

1. Interface-first design - Define contracts before implementing
2. Layer-by-layer progression - Complete each phase before next
3. Incremental testing - Test at each layer, not just at the end
4. Configuration before components - Set up infrastructure first
5. Documentation at each step - Update docs as you progress

Recovery from Failures

If a tool failure occurs:

1. Note which phase completed successfully
2. Resume from the last completed phase
3. Re-validate interfaces and contracts before continuing
4. Use the directory structure as a progress checklist

This systematic approach ensures partial progress is preserved and the overall architecture remains coherent even when interruptions occur.