CardanoPlugin: Plutus Code Analyzer

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Ubio Obu

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

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Co-proposers and additional applicants

Yash Ambekar

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

10

[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)

Encouraging more deployment by creating an AI-based tool that assists plutus developers by analyzing, optimizing, and securing Plutus smart contracts before deployment

[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

MIT license

[METADATA] Horizons

Developer Tools

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The Plutus Analyzer is an AI tool designed to assist developers in optimizing and securing their Plutus smart contracts on the Cardano blockchain. It provides a comprehensive suite of features aimed at improving the quality, performance, and security of smart contracts before they are deployed. The tool addresses common challenges faced by developers, such as identifying vulnerabilities, estimating transaction costs, and ensuring the overall efficiency of their code.

Key Features:

Automated Security Audits:

• The Plutus Analyzer automatically scans smart contracts for security vulnerabilities, such as reentrancy attacks, overflow errors, and other potential exploits. By identifying these issues before deployment, the tool helps reduce the risk of smart contract failures or attacks, ensuring greater security for users and developers alike.

Performance Optimization:

• The tool analyzes the performance of smart contracts, providing insights into code efficiency and resource usage. It highlights areas where contracts can be optimized to reduce execution time and improve scalability, ensuring that they run smoothly under different network conditions.

Cost and Fee Estimation:

• Plutus Analyzer calculates transaction costs and execution fees associated with a given smart contract, helping developers better understand the financial implications of deploying their code. This allows them to make necessary adjustments to minimize costs and ensure the contract is cost-effective for both developers and users.

Code Review and Recommendations:

• The tool offers a comprehensive code review, providing developers with suggestions and best practices for improving the quality and maintainability of their contracts. This helps ensure that smart contracts adhere to industry standards and are written in a way that promotes long-term reliability and functionality.

User-Friendly Interface:

• The tool offers a user-friendly interface that allows developers to easily upload their Plutus smart contract code for analysis. The results are presented in a clear and actionable format, making it simple for developers to implement the suggested improvements.

Project Architecture

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

The Plutus Code Analyzer will have a significant positive impact on the Cardano ecosystem by providing developers with an AI-driven tool to analyze and optimize smart contracts. This will enhance the security, performance, and efficiency of dApps being deployed on Cardano. By automating the code review process and reducing human error, the tool will:

Improve the security of smart contracts:

• Early detection of vulnerabilities ensures that contracts deployed on the blockchain are more secure, reducing risks of exploits, hacks, and financial loss for both developers and users.

Optimize performance and reduce costs:

• The tool helps developers write more efficient contracts, which can reduce gas fees and transaction costs. This makes Cardano dApps more accessible and affordable for users.

Enhance developer productivity:

• By automating the code review process, developers can save time and focus on building innovative solutions rather than manually checking for inefficiencies and vulnerabilities.

Increase trust in decentralized applications:

• A reliable, AI-based tool will foster greater trust in the Cardano dApp ecosystem by ensuring that deployed contracts are secure, optimized, and cost-effective.

Measuring the Impact:

1.Quantitative Metrics:

• Number of smart contracts analyzed: We expect to analyze 500+ smart contracts in the first year after launch.
• Reduction in security vulnerabilities: Track the reduction in reported vulnerabilities and security incidents in Cardano dApps after using the tool. We aim for a 30% reduction in vulnerabilities detected post-deployment.
• Cost savings: Measure the average reduction in gas fees for contracts that have undergone analysis. We expect a 10-15% reduction in transaction costs for optimized contracts.
• Adoption by developers: Track the number of developers using the Plutus Code Analyzer. We aim to have 100+ active developers using the tool within six months of launch.

2.Qualitative Metrics:

• User Feedback: Collect developer feedback on the ease of use, functionality, and effectiveness of the tool. A post-analysis survey will measure developer satisfaction and their perceived improvement in productivity.
• Community Engagement: Monitor discussions, mentions, and endorsements of the tool in the Cardano forums, developer channels, and community events. Qualitative feedback will provide insights into how much value the tool is adding to the ecosystem.

3.Sharing Outputs and Opportunities:

• Open-Source Contribution: The Plutus Code Analyzer will be made available as an open-source tool, allowing developers across the Cardano ecosystem to contribute to its improvement and benefit from its features.

[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?

As the CEO of Remostart and one who has been actively involved in the Cardano ecosystem since fund 9 and has actively onboarded hundreds of developers and entrepreneurs into the cardano ecosytem, I have witnessed first hand the challeges developers face with inefficient or un optimised codes, vulnerabilities etc, this has made me worried many times and thought of creative means to help them, my closeness to developers and entreprenurs in my platform makes me see this problem first hand and has developed in me just the right amount of passion needed to execute this solution

But this is not the only reason why I am suited to deliver this project, here is another reason, my academic background is in Artificial Intelligence, I graduated with a first class in CSE(Artificial Intellgence), I have 8 research papers in AI domains bordering NLP, Computer vision, deep learning, Machine Learning, data mining etc. I have 2 AI-related patents applied and this experience and competence is what is needed to execute this project so you can trust me on my capacity to deliver.

I will be validating this project through beta testers who are currently learning Plutus in the community

Finally, I had a fund9-funded proposal which was executed and brought to completion on time, an F-10 that has been completed and F-11 project that is ongoig well , i have worked with governments and multinationals on different projects as well, this demonstrates that I can be trusted when it comes to managing funds properly and with integrity.

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

Research and UI Development

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Comprehensive research on common vulnerabilities, performance issues, and optimization strategies for Plutus smart contracts.
• Design and initial development of a user-friendly interface that allows developers to easily upload Plutus contracts and interact with the tool.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• A detailed research report outlining common issues in Plutus contracts and their impact on security, performance, and cost.
• A functional prototype of the user interface (UI) that enables developers to upload Plutus smart contracts for future analysis.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Research documentation completed, detailing Plutus contract issues and recommendations for analysis.
• UI prototype demonstration, showing the ability to upload contracts and navigate through the tool's interface.
• Feedback from initial user testing of the interface design

AI Development

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Development of AI models for detecting vulnerabilities, performance issues, and estimating costs in Plutus contracts.
• AI trained to analyze smart contract structures, optimize code, and provide actionable recommendations to developers.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• AI models capable of detecting at least common vulnerabilities in Plutus smart contracts.
• AI models trained to optimize contract performance and estimate gas fees with accuracy.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Demo of AI models successfully analyzing sample Plutus contracts for vulnerabilities and performance issues.
• Technical documentation of AI model training, including datasets used and accuracy metrics.
• AI model integrated into backend processes, ready for user interaction in the next phase

Backend Development and Full Product Integration

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Development of the backend infrastructure to support smart contract uploads, AI-driven analysis, and report generation.
• Integration of the AI models with the backend to process contracts and generate comprehensive reports.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Backend system built and operational, capable of handling contract uploads and running AI analyses.
• Integration of AI models with the backend, generating detailed reports on vulnerabilities, performance, and cost optimizations.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Backend demo showing full integration with the AI models and UI.
• Contracts uploaded through the UI are successfully processed by the backend, with reports generated and displayed.
• Documentation detailing backend architecture and integration process.

Beta Testing and Full

• A: Milestone Outputs:
• Conduct beta testing with a group of developers to ensure the tool’s performance, usability, and AI accuracy.
• Final refinement of the product based on user feedback, followed by the full public launch of the Plutus Code Analyzer.
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Feedback collected from at least 50 beta testers on AI accuracy, performance, and ease of use.
• Tool adjustments and final refinements made based on real-world usage during beta testing.
• Full public release with comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and support materials.
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• A beta testing report detailing user feedback, identified issues, and refinements made to the tool.
• Public release announcement, with usage metrics and active developer adoption.
• Tutorials, guides, and case studies published to showcase the tool’s effectiveness.

Closeout Report

A. Output

• Final report and Video
• B: Acceptance Criteria:
• Final Report and Video follows Catalyst standards
• C: Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Final report and video links

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

UBIO OBU: The CEO of Remostart, is a blockchain and AI researcher, his academic background is in Artificial Intelligence. Ubio has about 4 years of experience in researching, his research works have cut across different fields, from AI, to IoT, Agriculture, environment, blockchain, HR, human behaviors etc. He currently has about 7 research paper publications in reputable journals like the American Institute of Physics, and IEEE, etc, he has 2 patents under application and a Copyright on a book titled "Research writing for beginners".

Ubio is a Microsoft Winsider Recipient, KECTIL leadership fellow, and a SingularityNet Ambassador.

He is among the early Cardano DRep Pioneer program coordinator and an Intersect constitutional council member.

Ubio will be in charge of the research and resource management

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ubio-obu-71927276/

https://www.github.com/ubiodee/

Ediyangha Otogho: Full-stack software and Blockchain developer with 8 years of of software development experience and 3 years blockchain development experience. Ediyangha has won several hackathons and techatrons and was the chief technology officer behind Send funds, a fintech solution building a Bharatpe for Africa. Funfact Ediyangha can code efficiently in more than 7 programming languages. For this project he will be the blockchain and fullstack developer

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edinyanga-ottoho-02801517a/

https://www.github.com/EdinyangaOttoho

Yash Ambekar : B.Tech-Computer Engineering, Full stack Developer, 7 years experience in Software development, a Smart India hackathon winner, with about 3 Research paper publications. In this project he will coordinate the front end developer especially the UI/UX aspects.

https://github.com/yashambkr

Daniel Effiom: He is a co-founder at RemoStart, a Reconciliation analyst at ETransact international PLC. With 5 years experience in data analysis, process monitoring and operational procedures. He has managed several projects for RemoStart and ETransact and is why he will be the project and product manager for this project.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-effiom-a2b377199/

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

1. Milestone 1: Research and UI Development

Allocated Budget: 40,000 ADA

• Research Team Compensation: 20,000 ADA
• UI/UX Design and Development: 15,000 ADA
• Tools and Software Licenses: 5,000 ADA

2. Milestone 2: AI Development

Allocated Budget: 55,000 ADA

• AI Model Development: 40,000 ADA
• Data Collection and Preparation: 8,000 ADA
• Cloud Computing for AI Training: 7,000 ADA

3. Milestone 3: Backend Development and Full Product Integration

Allocated Budget: 50,000 ADA

• Backend Development: 35,000 ADA
• Integration with AI Models: 10,000 ADA
• Security Audits: 5,000 ADA

4. Milestone 4: Beta Testing and Full Launch

Allocated Budget: 25,000 ADA

• Beta Testing Incentives and Feedback Collection: 10,000 ADA
• Product Refinements and Final Adjustments: 10,000 ADA
• Final Launch and Documentation: 5,000 ADA

5. Project Management and Miscellaneous Costs

Allocated Budget: 10,000 ADA

• Project Management: 6,000 ADA
• Miscellaneous Costs: 4,000 ADA

6. Contingency Fund

Allocated Budget: 10,000 ADA

• Contingency: 10,000 ADA
• 
  

N/B: Budget is made with the estimate 1ADA= 0.36USD which is the average price as at when this proposal is made

Total Budget: 180,000 ADA

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

The Plutus Code Analyzer project represents excellent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem. With a budget of 180,000 ADA, the tool will deliver significant long-term benefits by improving the security, performance, and cost-efficiency of Plutus smart contracts, leading to higher-quality decentralized applications (dApps) and a more robust ecosystem.

Proportionality of Costs:

The costs have been determined based on typical industry rates for developers, AI engineers, and blockchain experts, ensuring that the project is well-resourced without exceeding reasonable expense limits. By leveraging both research and AI-driven automation, the tool will provide long-term value to the Cardano ecosystem by reducing the risk of contract vulnerabilities, improving performance, and lowering transaction costs.

Value for Cardano Ecosystem:

• Improved Smart Contract Security: By detecting vulnerabilities early, the tool reduces the risk of exploits, protecting both developers and users.
• Optimized dApp Performance: Enhanced performance leads to lower gas fees and better user experiences, making Cardano dApps more competitive and scalable.
• Widespread Adoption: The tool’s ability to streamline smart contract development will encourage more developers to build on Cardano, contributing to ecosystem growth.