Integrating Hydra Scaling into Cardano Kuber Library

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Kuber Team (Sandip Pandey)

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

Entity (Incorporated)

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

6

[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 will add Hydra transaction support to the Kuber library, enabling developers to build scalable DApps using Hydra's Layer 2 scaling on Cardano.

[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

Apache License 2.0

[METADATA] Horizons

Developer Tools

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

The problem we’re addressing is that current Cardano libraries don’t offer an easy way for developers to use Hydra’s Layer 2 scaling, which makes it harder to build DApps that can handle high transaction volumes. As the team behind the Kuber Library, we see an opportunity to solve this by adding Hydra transaction support directly into Kuber. This will make it much easier for developers to tap into Hydra’s capabilities.

Our approach is simple: by integrating Hydra directly into Kuber, we lower the technical barriers for developers. They won’t need to learn new tools or complex protocols to use Hydra for scaling their DApps. This way, developers can focus on building scalable applications without worrying about the technical complexities of Hydra.

Our project is aimed at developers in the Cardano ecosystem who need better scalability for their DApps. While Kuber isn’t widely used yet, adding Hydra support could make it much more appealing and useful, driving greater adoption.

We’ll prove our impact by tracking how many developers use Kuber for Hydra-related projects and gathering feedback from them. Since Kuber is open-source, the community will be able to see and contribute to the project, ensuring transparency and collaboration.

What’s unique about our solution is that it keeps things simple for developers. Instead of learning something entirely new, they’ll be able to use Hydra through Kuber, which they may already be familiar with. This makes it easier to build scalable DApps, which in turn helps the entire Cardano ecosystem grow and handle larger user bases effectively.

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

Impact on the Cardano Community

Our project will have a significant positive impact by making it easier for developers to integrate Hydra’s Layer 2 scaling solution into their DApps. This will lead to the development of more scalable applications that can handle higher transaction volumes, ultimately benefiting users and expanding Cardano’s capacity for growth.

Measuring Impact:

• Quantitative Metrics: We will track the adoption of the Kuber Library with Hydra support by monitoring downloads, usage statistics, and the number of DApps utilizing the library for Hydra-related scaling.
• Qualitative Metrics: We will gather feedback from developers through community channels, GitHub issues, and surveys to understand their experience and any improvements they need.

Value to the Cardano Community: The success of this project will provide developers with an accessible, user-friendly tool to build scalable DApps, reducing friction in development and fostering innovation. This will enhance Cardano’s ability to support a growing user base and diverse applications, making the ecosystem more robust and efficient.

Sharing Outputs:

• We will release the Hydra-integrated Kuber Library as an open-source project on GitHub, allowing developers to freely use, modify, and contribute to it.
• We will engage with the community through Cardano forums, social media, and workshops to demonstrate the tool, collect feedback, and encourage collaboration.
• All updates, improvements, and learnings from the project will be shared publicly to maximize transparency and community involvement.

In summary, by simplifying Hydra integration, this project empowers developers, strengthens the Cardano network, and promotes scalable DApp development, contributing to the long-term growth and success of the 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?

Capability & Feasibility

We believe we are well-equipped to deliver this project with high levels of trust and accountability due to our extensive experience and proven track record in Cardano development. As the developers of the Kuber Library, we have a deep understanding of its architecture and are uniquely positioned to integrate Hydra support effectively.

Our team has previously worked on several significant projects:

• KuberIDE: A browser-based Plutus Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that simplifies smart contract development on Cardano.
• Cardano Mempool Explorer: A tool for exploring Cardano's mempool, successfully completed under a previous Catalyst proposal.
• GovTool: An application designed to facilitate governance processes within the Cardano ecosystem.
• Chang Hard Fork Testing: We conducted extensive testing during the Chang hard fork, ensuring network stability and performance.

We have also been awarded two Catalyst proposals in the past:

1. Mempool Explorer: Successfully completed and delivered to the community.
2. Cardano Autonomous Testing: Currently nearing completion, demonstrating our ongoing commitment and reliability.

Our extensive knowledge in Cardano development and Plutus smart contract programming makes us confident in our ability to deliver this project effectively. We understand the challenges involved in integrating Hydra support and are prepared to address them.

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

Milestone 1: Project Planning and Design

• Budget: 10,000 Ada
• A. Milestone Outputs:
• Detailed project plan, timeline, and technical design specifications for integrating Hydra transaction support into the Kuber Library.
• B. Acceptance Criteria:
• Completion of the project plan and technical design.
• C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Project plan and design documents published in the open-source repository.

Milestone 2: Hydra Transaction Integration and Testing

• Budget: 65,000 Ada
• A. Milestone Outputs:
• Full integration of Hydra transaction-building functionality within the Kuber Library.
• B. Acceptance Criteria:
• Successful implementation of Hydra transactions and passing all internal tests.
• C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Updated Kuber Library codebase published in the open-source repository
• Tutorials

Milestone 3: Documentation and Community Engagement

• Budget: 15,000 Ada
• A. Milestone Outputs:
• Comprehensive documentation for using the Hydra-enabled Kuber Library.
• Tutorials, guides, and community engagement activities for developers.
• B. Acceptance Criteria:
• Completion of documentation and feedback from initial community outreach.
• C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Published documentation on GitHub and project website.

Final Milestone: Project Close-out Report and Video

• Budget: 5,000 Ada
• A. Milestone Outputs:
• Final project report summarizing achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
• A demonstration video showcasing the Hydra-enabled Kuber Library.
• B. Acceptance Criteria:
• Report and video approved by the team and shared with the community.
• C. Evidence of Milestone Completion:
• Final report and video published on project platforms and submitted to Catalyst.

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

Project Team and Roles

The Kuber Team is made up of experienced developers and project managers with a deep understanding of the Cardano ecosystem. Below is a breakdown of the core team members and their roles in the project:

Sandip Pandey

Main Proposer and Project Manager

• Role: Oversees both the technical and management aspects of the project, ensuring milestones are met on time and resources are properly allocated. He will support the team in coordinating project deliverables and handling community engagement.
• Github: https://github.com/spannercode
• Previous Involvement: Plutus Pioneer Program, Hard Fork Testing (Vasil & Chang), GovTool Testing, Mempool Explorer, Cardano Autonomous Agent Testing, Kuber IDE.

Sudip Bhattarai

Lead Backend and Infrastructure Engineer

• Role: Leads the backend development and manages infrastructure setup, including Cardano node, dbsync, and testing environments for Hydra integration.
• Github: https://github.com/mesudip
• Previous Involvement: Plutus Pioneer Program, Hard Fork Testing (Vasil & Chang), GovTool Testing, Mempool Explorer, Cardano Autonomous Agent Testing, Kuber IDE.

Reeshav Acharya

Software Developer (Smart Contracts)

• Role: Responsible for coding, integrating Hydra transaction-building support, and ensuring functionality through rigorous testing.
• Github: https://github.com/reeshavacharya
• Previous Involvement: Chang Hard Fork Testing, Mempool Explorer, Smart Contract Audits, Kuber IDE.

Nabin Pokharel

Senior Software Developer

• Role: Assists in backend development, focusing on Plutus smart contract interactions and supporting infrastructure.
• Github: https://github.com/nabinpkl
• Previous Involvement: Plutus Pioneer Program, Hard Fork Testing (Vasil & Chang), Governance Action Loader, Mempool Explorer, Kuber IDE.

Sital Nagarkoti

Fullstack Developer

• Role: Handles frontend and backend development tasks, ensuring the Hydra integration is user-friendly and supports DApp developers efficiently.
• Github: https://github.com/Sital999
• Previous Involvement: Cardano Autonomous Agents Testing, Kuber IDE, BetterCollected.

Additional Team Members

Beyond the core team, we have an in-house team of 8 fullstack developers who will be involved as needed, depending on the scope of the project and the number of proposals funded. Each team member brings a unique set of skills to ensure that the project is completed on time and to a high standard.

We have already engaged all team members and discussed the project's scope, ensuring their availability and commitment to its success if the project is funded. With their combined experience in previous Cardano projects and hard fork testing, we are confident in our ability to deliver the project with the necessary expertise and resources.

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

Budget & Costs Breakdown

The total requested budget for the Hydra integration into the Kuber Library is 100,000 Ada, which covers development, project management, community engagement, and infrastructure costs. Below is a detailed breakdown of the proposed work and resources.

1. Development Costs (85,000 Ada)

This portion of the budget is allocated to the core technical work required to integrate Hydra transaction-building functionality into the Kuber Library. The costs reflect the necessary expertise in Cardano development and Hydra protocol implementation.

• Lead Developer: 40,000 Ada
• Responsible for the overall architecture, integration, and testing of the Hydra functionalities within Kuber.
• Software Engineers (2): 30,000 Ada (15,000 Ada each)
• Focus on implementing Hydra features, testing, and ensuring performance.
• Quality Assurance Engineer: 10,000 Ada
• Ensures the functionality is thoroughly tested and works as intended.
• Testing Environment and Tools: 5,000 Ada
• Costs associated with cloud services and other tools used to create a testing environment for the Hydra integration.

2. Project Management & Community Engagement (10,000 Ada)

Effective project management and community engagement are crucial to ensuring the project’s timely completion and adoption within the Cardano ecosystem.

• Project Manager: 7,000 Ada
• Oversees the development process, manages the team, ensures milestone completion, and coordinates communication.
• Community Engagement: 3,000 Ada
• Organizes workshops, tutorials, and outreach to educate developers on how to use the Hydra-enabled Kuber Library.

3. Infrastructure Costs (5,000 Ada)

Infrastructure costs are related to maintaining the necessary resources for developing, testing, and hosting the project.

• Cloud Hosting Services: 3,000 Ada
• Required for setting up Hydra nodes and a private testing environment.
• Software Licenses and Tools: 2,000 Ada
• Any required software or development tools needed to complete the project.

4. Documentation & Reporting (Included in Project Management)

• Technical Writer: 5,000 Ada (included in development budget)
• Responsible for creating comprehensive user guides, documentation, and tutorials for developers using the Hydra-enabled Kuber Library.
• Final Report & Demonstration Video (Included in Final Milestone):
• Final project summary, video demonstration, and detailed report shared with the community.

Total Budget: 100,000 Ada

• Development: 85,000 Ada
• Project Management & Community Engagement: 10,000 Ada
• Infrastructure Costs: 5,000 Ada

Value for the Cardano Ecosystem:

The proposed costs are designed to ensure the successful integration of Hydra into the Kuber Library, allowing developers to leverage Layer 2 scaling easily. By allocating resources efficiently to development, testing, and community engagement, the project delivers a high-value outcome that will contribute significantly to the Cardano ecosystem's scalability and performance.

In managing these funds, the project team will adhere to transparent reporting, tracking milestones, and providing regular updates to the community. All deliverables, including the source code and documentation, will be open-source, ensuring that the entire ecosystem benefits from this project.

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

Value for Money

The 100,000 Ada budget for this project offers strong value to the Cardano ecosystem by enabling developers to easily integrate Hydra’s Layer 2 scaling into their DApps. Here's why the costs are justified:

1. Development (85,000 Ada):
2. Most of the budget goes to development because integrating Hydra into Kuber requires specialized skills. The costs align with typical blockchain development rates and ensure we attract experienced talent to deliver a reliable solution.
3. Project Management & Community Engagement (10,000 Ada):
4. Managing the project and engaging the developer community are key to adoption. These funds cover planning, oversight, and outreach to help developers use the new Hydra integration effectively.
5. Infrastructure Costs (5,000 Ada):
6. These funds are for hosting Cardano infrastructure, including the node, dbsync, and compiler, necessary to develop and test Hydra integration in a stable environment.

Value to the Cardano Ecosystem:

This project will significantly benefit Cardano by making Hydra more accessible, empowering developers to build scalable DApps. The tools and code will be open-source, so the entire community can benefit. By reducing technical barriers, we expect to see more high-performance applications, contributing to the growth and strength of the Cardano ecosystem.

In short, this budget delivers excellent value by equipping developers with the tools to leverage Hydra for scalable solutions, which will drive innovation and growth in the Cardano ecosystem.