Cardano Code Lab - Code, Test, Deploy - All in One Place

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Dawit Mekonnen

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Individual

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

8

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

We'll create Cardano Code Lab, an online IDE with integrated debugging for Plutus smart contracts. This all-in-one tool will streamline development, boost productivity and accelerate ecosystem growth.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

No

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

No dependencies.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

Licence: CC BY-NC

[METADATA] Horizons

Developer Tools

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Problem Perception

The Cardano ecosystem, while powerful and promising, currently faces a critical gap in development tools. This situation has been exacerbated by recent developments:

• The discontinuation of the IOHK (IOG) Plutus Playground
• The inaccessibility of the Marlowe Playground (play.marlowe.iohk.io)

These changes have left Cardano developers without crucial integrated development environments, creating several urgent challenges:

• Lack of accessible tools for writing, testing, and debugging smart contracts
• Increased barrier to entry for new developers
• Reduced productivity for experienced developers
• Potential slowdown in innovation and dApp development in the Cardano ecosystem

Our Approach

Cardano Code Lab addresses these challenges by providing an all-in-one, web-based Integrated Development Environment (IDE) specifically tailored for Plutus smart contract development. Our approach is based on three key principles:

1. Accessibility: A web-based solution that requires no local setup, enabling developers to start coding immediately.
2. Integration: Combining coding, compilation, testing, and debugging in one platform to streamline the development process.
3. User-Centric Design: Focusing on an intuitive interface that caters to both novice and experienced Cardano developers.

Key Features

1. Online VS Code-based IDE: Familiar interface for many developers, reducing the learning curve.
2. Integrated Plutus Compiler: Real-time compilation feedback to catch errors early.
3. Sandbox Environment: Docker-based containers for safe testing and execution of smart contracts.
4. Interactive Debugging: Step-through debugging capabilities for Plutus contracts.
5. Collaborative Tools: Features for team coding and knowledge sharing.

Target Audience

Cardano Code Lab will engage:

1. New developers entering the Cardano ecosystem
2. Experienced Cardano developers seeking to improve productivity
3. Academic institutions teaching blockchain development
4. Cardano-based projects and startups

Impact Demonstration

We will measure and demonstrate our impact through:

1. User adoption metrics (number of active users, projects created)
2. Community feedback and satisfaction surveys
3. Reduction in average development time for Plutus contracts
4. Number of smart contracts successfully deployed using Cardano Code Lab
5. Contributions to open-source components of the project

Unique Value Proposition

Cardano Code Lab stands out by:

1. Being the first comprehensive IDE specifically designed for Plutus development
2. Offering a seamless, end-to-end development experience from coding to deployment
3. Providing a platform that grows with the ecosystem, adaptable to future Cardano updates

Benefits to Cardano

1. Accelerated ecosystem growth by lowering barriers to entry
2. Improved quality of smart contracts through better development tools
3. Increased developer productivity, leading to more rapid innovation
4. Enhanced attractiveness of Cardano for developers and projects
5. Potential for standardization of development practices in the Cardano community

By providing a robust, user-friendly development environment, Cardano Code Lab aims to be a catalyst for growth and innovation in the Cardano ecosystem, solidifying Cardano's position as a leading platform for blockchain development.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Value to the Cardano Community

Cardano Code Lab will bring significant value to the Cardano community in several key ways:

1. Accelerated Ecosystem Growth: By lowering the barrier to entry for new developers, we expect to see an increase in the number of developers and projects in the Cardano ecosystem.
2. Enhanced Developer Productivity: Streamlining the development process will allow existing Cardano developers to work more efficiently, potentially leading to faster innovation and deployment of dApps.
3. Improved Smart Contract Quality: With integrated debugging and testing tools, we anticipate a reduction in smart contract vulnerabilities and errors, enhancing the overall security and reliability of the Cardano network.
4. Standardization of Development Practices: Cardano Code Lab will promote best practices in Plutus development, leading to more consistent and maintainable code across the ecosystem.
5. Increased Cardano Competitiveness: A robust development environment will make Cardano more attractive to developers and projects, potentially drawing talent and resources from other blockchain platforms.

Measuring Impact

We will employ both quantitative and qualitative metrics to measure the impact of Cardano Code Lab:

Quantitative Metrics:

1. User Adoption:

• Number of active users
• Number of projects created
• User retention rate

1. Development Efficiency:

• Average time to deploy a smart contract
• Number of smart contracts successfully deployed
• Reduction in compilation and debugging time

1. Ecosystem Growth:

• Increase in the number of Plutus developers (through user surveys)
• Growth in the number of Cardano dApps (tracked through ecosystem analytics)

1. Platform Usage:

• Frequency of tool usage (IDE sessions, compilations, deployments)
• Usage patterns of different features

Qualitative Metrics:

1. User Satisfaction: Regular surveys to gauge developer experience and satisfaction
2. Community Feedback: Monitoring forums, social media, and direct feedback for sentiment and feature requests
3. Case Studies: In-depth analysis of projects successfully developed using Cardano Code Lab
4. Expert Reviews: Soliciting feedback from experienced Cardano developers and thought leaders

Sharing Outputs and Opportunities

We are committed to transparently sharing our progress, learnings, and the opportunities that arise from Cardano Code Lab:

1. Open Source Contributions: Core components of Cardano Code Lab will be open-sourced, allowing the community to contribute and build upon our work.
2. Regular Progress Reports: Monthly updates on our GitHub repository and community forums detailing development progress, user statistics, and upcoming features.
3. Educational Content: Creation and distribution of tutorials, webinars, and documentation to help developers make the most of Cardano Code Lab.
4. Community Engagement:

• Hosting regular AMAs (Ask Me Anything) sessions on Reddit and Discord
• Participating in Cardano community events and hackathons
• Collaborating with Cardano stake pools to offer workshops

1. Academic Partnerships: Sharing our tools and findings with academic institutions to foster blockchain education and research.
2. Annual Impact Report: A comprehensive yearly report detailing the project's impact, lessons learned, and future directions, to be shared publicly and with the Cardano Foundation.

By consistently measuring our impact and openly sharing our progress and learnings, we aim to not only demonstrate the value of Cardano Code Lab but also contribute to the broader knowledge base of the Cardano community. This approach will ensure that the benefits of our project extend far beyond the tool itself, fostering a more vibrant, efficient, and innovative Cardano ecosystem.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Team Capabilities

Our lean, two-person team brings a powerful combination of skills and experience that uniquely positions us to deliver the Cardano Code Lab project:

1. Blockchain Expertise: Our lead blockchain developer has 5 years of experience in smart contract development, with deep knowledge of blockchain architectures and decentralized application development.
2. Full-Stack Web Development: Our lead web developer has extensive experience in creating robust, user-friendly web applications, ensuring that the browser-based IDE will be both powerful and intuitive.
3. UI/UX Design: With 7 years of experience in creating intuitive interfaces for developer tools, our lead web developer (who is also our UI/UX designer) will ensure that Cardano Code Lab is not only functional but also user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing.
4. Project Management: Both team members have experience in managing complex software projects, ensuring efficient coordination and timely delivery of project milestones.
5. Open Source Contribution: Both team members are active contributors to various open-source projects in the blockchain space, demonstrating our commitment to community-driven development and our ability to work collaboratively.

Trust and Accountability

We have established several processes to ensure proper fund management and project accountability:

1. Transparent Financial Reporting: We will provide monthly financial reports detailing the allocation and use of funds. These reports will be made available to the Cardano community through our project's GitHub repository.
2. Multi-signature Wallet: Project funds will be managed through a 2-of-2 multi-signature wallet, ensuring that both team members must agree on any fund allocation.
3. Smart Contract-based Milestone Payments: We will implement a smart contract that releases funds based on the completion of project milestones, as verified by designated community reviewers.
4. Regular Community Updates: We commit to providing bi-weekly updates on our progress through the official Cardano forums and our project's social media channels.
5. Open Development Process: Our development process will be open and transparent, with regular code commits to our public GitHub repository, allowing the community to monitor our progress in real-time.

Feasibility Validation

To validate the feasibility of our approach, we will:

1. Proof of Concept (PoC): Develop a PoC for the browser-based IDE within the first month, demonstrating basic Plutus code editing and compilation.
2. Community Feedback Loop: Engage with the Cardano developer community from the early stages to gather feedback on our design and feature prioritization.
3. Phased Development: Our milestone-based approach allows for regular assessment of progress and feasibility, with opportunities to adjust our strategy based on challenges encountered.
4. Technical Advisor Consultation: We will consult with technical advisors from the Cardano ecosystem at key stages of development to review our progress and provide guidance on overcoming technical challenges.
5. Scalability Testing: Conduct rigorous scalability tests at each milestone to ensure that Cardano Code Lab can handle a growing user base without performance degradation.
6. Security Best Practices: Implement security best practices throughout the development process and consider engaging a reputable blockchain security firm for a final audit, if budget allows.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: Technical Design and Browser-based IDE Development

Total Budget: 50,000 ADA

A. Milestone Outputs:

1. Comprehensive technical diagram of the Cardano Code Lab system
2. Detailed UI/UX design for the browser-based IDE
3. Functional prototype of the browser-based IDE

B. Acceptance Criteria:

1. Technical diagram clearly illustrates system architecture and component interactions
2. UI/UX design is intuitive, user-friendly.
3. Browser-based IDE prototype allows basic code editing and Plutus syntax highlighting

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

1. Technical diagram document.
2. UI/UX design mockups and interactive prototype
3. Demo video of the browser-based IDE prototype

Budget Breakdown:

• Technical Diagram Development: 10,000 ADA
• UI/UX Design: 15,000 ADA
• Browser-based IDE Prototype Development: 25,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Sandbox Environment and IDE Integration

Total Budget: 45,000 ADA

A. Milestone Outputs:

1. Functional sandbox environment for Plutus contract testing
2. Integration of sandbox with the browser-based IDE
3. Demo showcasing the IDE and sandbox integration

B. Acceptance Criteria:

1. Sandbox environment successfully runs and tests Plutus smart contracts
2. IDE can deploy contracts to the sandbox directly from the browser interface
3. Developers can view contract execution results within the IDE

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

1. Technical documentation of the sandbox environment
2. Comprehensive demo video showcasing IDE-sandbox interaction

Budget Breakdown:

• Sandbox Environment Development: 20,000 ADA
• IDE-Sandbox Integration: 15,000 ADA
• Demo Preparation and Execution: 10,000 ADA

Milestone 3: Debugger Integration and Beta Testing

Total Budget: 45,000 ADA

A. Milestone Outputs:

1. Fully functional debugger integrated with the IDE
2. Beta version of Cardano Code Lab
3. Comprehensive beta testing results and feedback analysis

B. Acceptance Criteria:

1. Debugger allows step-through execution, breakpoints, and variable inspection
2. Beta version is stable and includes all core features (IDE, sandbox, debugger)
3. At least 50 beta testers have used the system and provided feedback

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

1. Demo video of the debugger functionality
2. Beta testing plan and execution report
3. Feedback analysis document with action items for improvements
4. Updated GitHub repository with debugger integration and beta fixes

Budget Breakdown:

• Debugger Development and Integration: 20,000 ADA
• Beta Version Preparation: 10,000 ADA
• Beta Testing Execution and Analysis: 15,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Project Finalization and Demo Video

Total Budget: 10,000 ADA

A. Milestone Outputs:

1. Final version of Cardano Code Lab incorporating beta feedback
2. Deploy smart contract functionality
3. Project documentation
4. Demo video showcasing Cardano Code Lab

B. Acceptance Criteria:

1. All core features are fully functional and bug-free
2. Documentation covers all aspects of using and maintaining Cardano Code Lab
3. Close-out report details project achievements, challenges, and future roadmap
4. Demo video effectively illustrates the value and functionality of Cardano Code Lab

C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:

1. Link to the final version of Cardano Code Lab
2. Project Close-out Report document
3. Demo video

Budget Breakdown:

• Final Adjustments and Bug Fixes: 3,000 ADA
• Documentation Compilation: 2,000 ADA
• Project Close-out Report: 2,000 ADA
• Professional Demo Video Production: 3,000 ADA

Total Project Budget: 150,000 ADA

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

1: Dawit Mekonnen - Blockchain Developer,Web Developer and Project Manager

• Fullstack developer | Node.js | React | svelte | Next.js | sveltekit | Postgress | Typescript | Docker
• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn account
• GitHub: github account
• Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA)

• projects:
• Svelte faces
• Canvas Text
• Role: Responsible for web development, focusing on Web-development, UI/UX design and implementation. Dawit brings expertise in creating an intuitive and engaging user interface.

 2: Lekun Ejigu - Blockchain Developer, Backend and Devops | Top Talent Freelancer

• Back-end development.
• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn account
• Upwork account
• Github account
• Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate (CBCA)

• Role: Leykun is responsible for the Smart contract development, DevOps aspects within the project.

3: Yeabesera Derese - Web developer

• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn account
• Role: An AI researcher and MERN stack developer, combining expertise in machine learning with full-stack development. I work on developing intelligent applications, leveraging AI models alongside the MERN stack to create scalable, data-driven solutions that push the boundaries of web and AI integration.

4: Tesnim Abdi - Lead ML developer

• LinkedIn Profile: LinkedIn account
• Role: Software engineer specializing in backend development, with a focus on building scalable, efficient server-side applications. Proficient in designing APIs, optimizing databases, and ensuring system reliability.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: Technical Design and Browser-based IDE Development

Total: 50,000 ADA

1. Personnel Costs (40,000 ADA)

• Lead Developer (400 ADA/day x 30 days): 12,000 ADA
• Frontend Developer (350 ADA/day x 30 days): 10,500 ADA
• UI/UX Designer (300 ADA/day x 25 days): 7,500 ADA
• Project Manager (300 ADA/day x 20 days): 6,000 ADA
• Technical Writer (250 ADA/day x 16 days): 4,000 ADA

1. Software and Services (6,000 ADA)

• Development Environment Licenses: 2,000 ADA
• Cloud Services for Prototype Hosting: 1,500 ADA
• UI/UX Design Tools Subscription: 1,000 ADA
• Project Management Software: 1,500 ADA

1. Community Engagement (4,000 ADA)

• Online Developer Survey Platform: 1,000 ADA
• Community Outreach and Feedback Collection: 3,000 ADA

Milestone 2: Sandbox Environment and IDE Integration

Total: 45,000 ADA

1. Personnel Costs (38,000 ADA)

• Lead Developer (400 ADA/day x 25 days): 10,000 ADA
• Backend Developer (375 ADA/day x 30 days): 11,250 ADA
• Frontend Developer (350 ADA/day x 25 days): 8,750 ADA
• Project Manager (300 ADA/day x 15 days): 4,500 ADA
• QA Tester (250 ADA/day x 14 days): 3,500 ADA

1. Infrastructure and Tools (5,000 ADA)

• Sandbox Environment Setup: 2,500 ADA
• Integration Testing Tools: 1,500 ADA
• Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) Setup: 1,000 ADA

1. Documentation and Reporting (2,000 ADA)

• Technical Documentation: 1,200 ADA
• Progress Report Preparation: 800 ADA

Milestone 3: Debugger Integration and Beta Testing

Total: 45,000 ADA

1. Personnel Costs (35,000 ADA)

• Lead Developer (400 ADA/day x 20 days): 8,000 ADA
• Backend Developer (375 ADA/day x 25 days): 9,375 ADA
• Frontend Developer (350 ADA/day x 20 days): 7,000 ADA
• QA Lead (300 ADA/day x 20 days): 6,000 ADA
• Beta Test Coordinator (275 ADA/day x 15 days): 4,125 ADA
• Technical Support (250 ADA/day x 2 people x 10 days): 5,000 ADA

1. Beta Testing Resources (6,000 ADA)

• Beta Tester Incentives: 3,000 ADA
• Testing Infrastructure and Tools: 2,000 ADA
• Feedback Collection and Analysis Tools: 1,000 ADA

1. Security Audit (4,000 ADA)

• Third-party Security Audit Service: 4,000 ADA

Milestone 4: Project Finalization and Demo Video

Total: 10,000 ADA

1. Personnel Costs (6,500 ADA)

• Lead Developer (400 ADA/day x 5 days): 2,000 ADA
• Project Manager (300 ADA/day x 5 days): 1,500 ADA
• Technical Writer (250 ADA/day x 8 days): 2,000 ADA
• Video Editor (250 ADA/day x 4 days): 1,000 ADA

1. Marketing and Promotion (2,500 ADA)

• Demo Video Production: 1,500 ADA
• Social Media Promotion: 1,000 ADA

1. Documentation and Reporting (1,000 ADA)

• Final Documentation Compilation: 600 ADA
• Project Close-out Report Preparation: 400 ADA

Additional Project-wide Costs

1. Legal and Compliance (5,000 ADA)

• Legal Consultation for Open Source Licensing: 3,000 ADA
• Regulatory Compliance Review: 2,000 ADA

1. Contingency Fund (5,000 ADA)

• Reserved for unforeseen expenses or scope adjustments

Total Project Budget: 150,000 ADA

Third-party Products and Services:

1. Cloud Services Provider (AWS or equivalent): For hosting the IDE and sandbox environments
2. Security Audit Firm: For conducting the third-party security audit
3. Project Management Software (e.g., Jira): For task tracking and team coordination
4. Design Tools (e.g., Figma): For UI/UX design work
5. Beta Testing Platform: For managing beta testers and collecting feedback
6. Legal Services: For open source licensing and compliance review

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Cardano Code Lab will provide significant value to the Cardano ecosystem by empowering both new and existing developers. Here's how our project will benefit the developer community and drive ecosystem growth:

Benefits for New Developers

1. Lower Entry Barrier: Cardano Code Lab's browser-based IDE eliminates the need for complex local setup, allowing new developers to start coding Plutus contracts immediately.
2. Interactive Learning Environment: Built-in tutorials and examples will guide newcomers through Plutus concepts, accelerating the learning curve.
3. Immediate Feedback: Real-time compilation and error checking will help new developers quickly understand and correct mistakes, enhancing the learning process.
4. Community Integration: Easy sharing of code snippets and projects will allow new developers to seek help and collaborate with more experienced members of the community.

Benefits for Existing Developers

1. Increased Productivity: A dedicated Plutus IDE with advanced features like auto-completion and integrated debugging will streamline the development process for experienced developers.
2. Improved Testing Capabilities: The built-in sandbox environment will allow for quick testing and iteration of smart contracts without the need for local blockchain setup.
3. Collaboration Tools: Features for code sharing and version control integration will enhance collaboration among team members and the wider Cardano developer community.
4. Cross-platform Consistency: Being browser-based, Cardano Code Lab ensures a consistent development environment across different operating systems and devices.

Ecosystem Growth and Innovation

1. Accelerated dApp Development: By simplifying the development process, Cardano Code Lab will enable faster creation and deployment of decentralized applications on Cardano.
2. Code Quality Improvement: Integrated testing and debugging tools will lead to more robust and secure smart contracts, enhancing the overall quality of projects in the Cardano ecosystem.
3. Community-Driven Evolution: As an open-source project, Cardano Code Lab can be extended and improved by the community, ensuring it evolves with the needs of Cardano developers.
4. Standardization of Best Practices: By incorporating Cardano development best practices into the IDE, we'll help standardize high-quality coding patterns across the ecosystem.

Educational Impact

1. Interactive Tutorials: Built-in, interactive tutorials will provide hands-on learning experiences for developers new to Plutus and Cardano.
2. Code Examples Library: A curated library of code examples and common patterns will serve as a valuable reference for developers at all skill levels.
3. Integration with Learning Resources: We plan to integrate links to official Cardano documentation and community-created learning resources directly within the IDE.

Long-term Ecosystem Benefits

1. Attracting Developers: An accessible, powerful IDE will make Cardano more attractive to developers from other blockchain ecosystems or traditional software development backgrounds.
2. Fostering Innovation: By lowering the technical barriers, Cardano Code Lab will enable a wider range of innovators to bring their ideas to life on the Cardano blockchain.
3. Community Growth: As more developers find it easier to work with Cardano, we expect to see growth in community size, diversity, and engagement.
4. Ecosystem Competitiveness: Cardano Code Lab will bring Cardano on par with other blockchain platforms that offer browser-based development environments, enhancing its appeal to developers and projects.