In the context of the Ethereum blockchain, forking the Ethereum mainnet is a common practice. It is basically developing a local copy of an Ethereum mainnet. This is done for development as well as testing purposes. Hardhat is one of the most popular tools among developers when forking the Ethereum mainnet.
If you are not familiar with the concept of Ethereum forking, now is a great time to learn more. As a blockchain developer, you will need to fork Ethereum Mainnet to test robust smart contracts. Let’s see what are the steps to fork Ethereum Mainnet.
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What are the steps to fork the Ethereum mainnet?
You are wondering, “What is forking in Ethereum?” The answer to this question is simple. Ethereum forking is a practice that allows blockchain developers to have a controlled environment in which they can test smart contracts. Moreover, it also allows them to test interactions as well as other complex operations that take place within the blockchain. By following the simple steps mentioned below, you can fork Ethereum Mainnet with Hardhat.
Step 1 – Set up a safety helmet project
The first step you need to take to fork Ethereum Mainnet is to set up a Hardhat project. You need to follow a series of sub-steps to advance to step 1.
- Sub-step 1 – First of all, you need to expand a directory where you can instantiate the particular Hardhat project.
- Sub-step 2 – Next you need to install the Hardhat tool. This can be done using “npm” in the terminal.
- Substep 3 – Next, you need to run the tool. You need to keep in mind that you need to run Hardhat in the same directory where it was installed.
- Substep 4 – To complete step 1, you now need to choose from the options provided in the terminal. You have the choice between a JavaScript project or a Typescript project.
Step 2 – Create a Remote Procedure Call (RCP) Endpoint
To fork Mainnet Hardhat, you need to focus on creating an RCP endpoint. You should note that to fork Ethereum Mainnet, you need to be able to connect to an archive node. You have the option to choose Quicknode, Alchemy, or Infura for this purpose. This step is crucial to create an Ethereum endpoint. You can choose from the given options based on your familiarity with them. The purpose of this step is to obtain an API key from the chosen RPC providers.
Step 2 – Forking the Network
Once step 2 is completed, it is time to fork the network. To do this, you can follow the substeps below.
- Sub-step 1 – You need to install dotenv. This is a fundamental process without which you will not be able to progress further.
- Substep 2 – Next, you need to create a .env file. This file should be created at the root of the Hardhat project.
- Substep 3 – Once the above procedures are completed, it is time to make changes to the hardhat.configure.js file. The change is essential to ensure that a new network can be added.
- Sub-step 4 – Finally, you need to enter the appropriate command in the terminal to start the Hardhat node.
By following these steps, you can successfully and efficiently fork Ethereum Mainnet using Hardhat in the local development network. Once the Ethereum forking is complete, you will be able to explore additional features using Hardhat. Some of the additional features are deploying smart contracts and impersonating mainnet accounts. As a blockchain professional, you should be familiar with the steps and sub-steps involved in forking Ethereum Mainnet.
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Hardhat’s Role in Creating the Ethereum Mainnet
Using Hardhat can definitely simplify the Ethereum forking process for blockchain developers. You should use Hardhat because it can act as a one-stop solution that will help you perfectly simulate an Ethereum environment in the local context. Using Hardhat, it is possible to stimulate various operations that take place within blockchain networks, including the most complex ones. That’s not all! Using Hardhat is essential for blockchain professionals because it can also help in developing smart contracts.
Hardhat can therefore serve as an ideal tool for compiling, testing, debugging, and deploying smart contracts. By leveraging Hardhat, your journey in Ethereum Mainnet forking can definitely become simpler and easier. Some of the major benefits of choosing Hardhat tools for Ethereum Mainnet forking are as follows:
- The Hardhat network will help you easily impersonate any address, allowing you to send transactions even if you don’t have the required private key.
- You have the ability to customize the behavior of the Hardhat network. This helps ensure that your specific needs and requirements are met when testing smart contracts.
- You can easily replicate the state of the main network without negatively impacting the real network.
Using Hardhat can open up a multitude of possibilities for blockchain professionals when creating an Ethereum Mainnet fork. In the dynamic blockchain space, you can capitalize on Hardhat’s core capabilities and attributes to power smart contracts.
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Ethereum Mainnet Needs to Be Forked
Now that you know the steps to fork Ethereum Mainnet, you might be wondering why you should do it. This is a valid question that needs to be answered. Some of the main reasons to fork Ethereum Mainnet include:
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Creating a controlled test environment
In the blockchain space, testing is one of the most critical processes. In fact, without performing the necessary testing, it is not possible to deploy smart contracts. Developers can fork Mainnet Hardhat in order to set up a blockchain environment that perfectly emulates the real environment. That’s not all! In the simulated environment, they can have complete control that can help in testing. Hence, it is a very cost-effective testing process that does not involve any transaction cost.
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Best level of security
Thorough testing of smart contracts is essential to improve security aspects. By testing new smart contracts against existing contracts and protocols, you can identify vulnerabilities. Therefore, you can check for security flaws without risking losing funds.
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Improved development workflow
The importance of testing in the blockchain space cannot be overstated. By testing and debugging smart contracts by forking Ethereum Mainnet, you can strengthen the development workflow. This can add value by automating the testing process and efficiently iterating on the code without having to deal with live network challenges.
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Ability to manipulate signatories
By forcing Mainnet blockchain professionals with Hardhat can manipulate signers. Therefore, they do not need to rely on private keys to facilitate smart contract testing. For example, they can impersonate addresses to access control behavior. However, this can be done in specific authorization scenarios.
When creating an Ethereum Mainnet fork, you can use Hardhat as an ideal development environment. Since it has a diverse range of components, you will be able to engage in a wide range of activities such as editing, compiling, and many more. Even if you have limited experience in creating an Ethereum Mainnet fork, with the Hardhat tool, your experience can undoubtedly become easier. The key components of Hardhat like Hardhat Runner, Hardhat network, Hardhat Ignition, etc. can ensure that a controlled environment is in place where you can perform testing and other tasks without any hurdles.
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Importance of Hardhat Development Environment
By forking Ethereum Mainnet with Hardhat, you will be able to develop the Hardhat development environment. The role of the environment is indispensable in facilitating a wide range of important tasks. You can leverage the environment to perform frequent activities and tasks such as checking codes for errors and running tests. Additionally, you will also be able to perform proper interactions with smart contracts. The environment can act as a catalyst and help you meticulously verify your smart contracts before deploying them in a live environment.
The Hardhat development environment can serve as an ideal platform for a blockchain developer to interact with already deployed contracts. Such interactions are essential to locate and understand the risks and vulnerabilities that may exist. By identifying these elements, it is possible for developers to take corrective measures before deploying contracts in the real world. This is a critical step that can influence the functioning of smart contracts within blockchain networks.
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Final thoughts
Ethereum Mainnet fork is an integral process in the blockchain environment. By following the guide, you can systematically fork Ethereum Mainnet and test smart contracts. You will be able to save substantial costs since you will not have to bear the costs of live deployment of Mainnet. Ethereum fork can be the perfect way to understand how smart contracts work on Mainnet. You can also learn how to use various tools such as Hardhat to fork Ethereum Mainnet.
