End-to-End DApp Templates: 10 Smart Contracts, Aiken, Mesh, Auth, DB, UI by Edda Labs

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Erick Romero

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

Entity (Not Incorporated)

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

12

[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)

Create comprehensive dApp examples and infrastructure guidance—including data base, authentication, and UI—to enable developers to rapidly build and deploy production-grade blockchain applications.

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

Yes

[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.”

Cardano blockchain, Aiken and Mesh.

[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

Our project is dedicated to full transparency and active collaboration with the community. We are committed to open-source development to foster innovation and trust within the ecosystem.

License Details: We have chosen the MIT License for all components of our project. This permissive license allows others to freely use, modify, and redistribute our software, including for commercial purposes. It supports open innovation while preserving the original copyright.

Scope of Open Source: The entire project, including smart contract templates, integration logic, and user interface components, will be made open source. This approach ensures that developers can freely contribute to and utilize our tools, enhancing their applications without legal barriers.

Community Engagement: By making our project fully open source, we aim to encourage community-driven development and ensure our solutions are continually refined and expanded to meet diverse needs. This commitment aligns with our goal to simplify the adoption of smart contract technology and to enhance the functionality and security of business platforms.

[METADATA] Horizons

Developer Tools

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

Context and Overview: In the dynamic landscape of blockchain technology, Cardano stands out as a robust platform for developing decentralized applications (dApps). While there are numerous open-source smart contracts available, developers and businesses often struggle to create production-grade applications. This is primarily due to the absence of comprehensive dApp examples, detailed documentation, and guidance on integrating essential infrastructure components like databases, authentication systems, user interfaces (UI), and user experience (UX) enhancements. These gaps make it challenging to rapidly develop, deploy, and scale applications that meet professional standards, especially for those transitioning from traditional web development environments.

Our Solution: We will start working on top of the following 10 open-source smart contracts:

• NFT Marketplace Contract: Facilitates listing, buying, updating, and canceling NFT sales.
• Swap Contract: Enables peer-to-peer asset exchanges with options to initiate, accept, or cancel swaps.
• Vesting Contract: Locks funds for a specified period, allowing withdrawal after the lockup period.
• Escrow Contract: Secures asset exchanges between two parties with actions to initiate, deposit, complete, or cancel the escrow.
• Collateral Management Contract: Manages and tracks collateral within DeFi protocols.
• Issuance and Redemption Contract: Handles the minting and burning of tokens based on collateralization.
• Price Oracle Contract: Provides accurate, real-time price data for assets used in the protocol.
• Ownership and Custody Contract: Ensures decentralized ownership and secure custody of assets.
• Liquidation Contract: Manages liquidation events to maintain system stability by selling off assets when collateral thresholds are breached.
• Auditing and Reporting Contract: Offers real-time auditing and transparency features like proof-of-reserves and automated reports.

We propose to create ten end-to-end dApp templates, each built upon one of the ten open-source smart contracts previously identified. These templates will augment the existing smart contracts by incorporating critical components such as databases, authentication mechanisms, intuitive UIs, UX improvements, and infrastructure setup guidance. This holistic approach will facilitate easy development and deployment, enabling developers and businesses to rapidly create production-grade blockchain applications.

Key Components of the Solution:

Ten dApp Templates:

• Integration with Open-Source Smart Contracts: Each template will utilize one of the ten open-source smart contracts, covering a wide range of functionalities including NFT marketplaces, asset swaps, vesting contracts, escrow services, collateral management, issuance and redemption processes, price oracles, ownership and custody solutions, liquidation mechanisms, and auditing and reporting tools.
• Full-Stack Implementation: The templates will offer a complete application stack, combining on-chain code (smart contracts written in Aiken) and off-chain code (transaction building and handling using Mesh).

Database Integration:

• Reactive Databases and Indexing: Implement cost-effective indexing solutions that update based on user interactions. This ensures real-time synchronization of the application's state without incurring high operational costs. 
• Scalable Data Management: Provide strategies for setting up databases capable of scaling with the application's growth, suitable for both startups and enterprise-level deployments.

Authentication Mechanisms:

• Web2 and Web3 Authentication: Incorporate traditional authentication methods (such as email/password and OAuth) alongside blockchain-based authentication (using wallets and cryptographic signatures). This dual approach caters to a broader user base and accommodates various device types.
• Secure Access Control: Ensure robust security measures are in place to protect user data and control access to different application features.

User Interface (UI) Components:

• Intuitive Design: Develop user-friendly interfaces tailored for each dApp template, emphasizing simplicity and ease of navigation.
• Reusable React Components: Create a library of UI components that developers can easily integrate and customize, enhancing flexibility and reducing development time.
• Responsive Layouts: Design interfaces that perform seamlessly across desktops, tablets, and mobile devices, improving accessibility.

User Experience (UX) Enhancements:

• Guided User Flows: Craft workflows that simplify complex blockchain interactions, making the applications more approachable for end-users.
• Real-Time Feedback: Integrate features that provide immediate responses to user actions, such as transaction confirmations and status updates, to enhance engagement and trust.

Infrastructure Guidance:

• Deployment Guides: Offer detailed instructions on deploying the applications to a cloud platform, streamlining the launch process.
• Best Practices: Share insights on optimizing infrastructure for security, efficiency, and scalability, drawing from industry standards.

Comprehensive Documentation:

• Step-by-Step Tutorials: Include thorough guides that walk developers through setting up, customizing, and deploying each dApp template.
• Code Annotations: Ensure the codebase is well-commented, explaining the functionality of different components and how they interact.
• Troubleshooting Resources: Compile a list of common issues and their solutions to assist developers in overcoming obstacles quickly.

Addressing Current Challenges: This suite of ten dApp templates directly tackles the challenges faced by developers and businesses:

• Bridging the Knowledge Gap: By providing complete examples with integrated infrastructure components, we lower the barrier to entry and make blockchain development more accessible.
• Simplifying Integration: The inclusion of databases, authentication systems, UI/UX enhancements, and infrastructure guidance eliminates the complexity of piecing together disparate components.
• Accelerating Development: Developers can leverage these templates as foundational building blocks, significantly reducing the time and resources required to develop applications from scratch.
• Enhancing Accessibility: The dual authentication methods and user-centric design make the applications more inclusive, catering to both blockchain enthusiasts and mainstream users.

Benefits of Implementing This Solution: Implementing these comprehensive dApp templates offers substantial advantages. Developers and businesses gain access to ready-to-use, production-quality templates that can be customized to meet specific needs, drastically reducing development time and costs. This empowers them to focus on innovation and unique value propositions rather than foundational setup. The holistic approach ensures that applications are secure, scalable, and user-friendly, which is crucial for adoption and success in the competitive blockchain space. Additionally, the extensive documentation and best practice guidelines facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development within the community, fostering a more vibrant and robust Cardano ecosystem.

Conclusion: Our project aims to bridge the gap between open-source smart contracts and production-ready applications by providing ten comprehensive dApp templates enriched with essential development tools. By integrating databases, authentication mechanisms, intuitive UIs, UX enhancements, and infrastructure guidance, we enable developers and businesses to swiftly create and deploy professional grade blockchain applications on Cardano. This initiative not only accelerates development cycles but also contributes to the growth and maturation of the Cardano ecosystem, promoting wider adoption and driving innovation in decentralized technologies.

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

Bringing Value to the Cardano Ecosystem: Our project significantly enhances the Cardano ecosystem by bridging the gap between existing open-source smart contracts and the creation of production-grade decentralized applications (dApps). By providing ten comprehensive dApp templates—each built upon one of the ten widely requested open-source smart contracts—we empower developers and businesses to rapidly develop and deploy professional blockchain applications. This initiative addresses a critical need within the Cardano community for end-to-end examples, thorough documentation, and infrastructure guidance, facilitating easier integration of smart contracts into real-world applications.

Accelerating Adoption and Innovation: By integrating essential components such as databases, authentication mechanisms, intuitive user interfaces (UI), and user experience (UX) enhancements, our project lowers the barrier to entry for developers, especially those transitioning from traditional web development. This accelerates the adoption of Cardano's blockchain technology across various industries, fostering innovation and enabling businesses to leverage blockchain solutions without extensive prior knowledge or significant investment in specialized development resources.

Enhancing Developer Experience and Ecosystem Growth: Our templates serve as a catalyst for ecosystem growth by promoting best practices and standardization in dApp development on Cardano. By offering reusable components and detailed guidance, we not only expedite the development process but also enhance the overall developer experience. This contributes to a more vibrant and collaborative community, encouraging knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the ecosystem.

Measuring Impact: We will measure the impact of our project through several key metrics:

• Developer Engagement: Tracking the number of developers and businesses utilizing our templates and resources in their projects.
• Community Contributions: Monitoring contributions, feedback, and collaborations within our GitHub repositories and community forums.
• Adoption Rate: Observing the increase in production-grade dApps deployed on Cardano that are based on or inspired by our templates.
• User Satisfaction: Collecting testimonials and success stories from developers and businesses that have benefited from our resources.

Long-Term Benefits: The long-term benefits of our project include sustained growth in the number and quality of dApps on Cardano, reinforcing the platform's position as a leading blockchain for decentralized applications. By simplifying the development process and providing robust, scalable templates, we enable a new wave of innovation that can drive mainstream adoption. This not only benefits developers and businesses but also strengthens the Cardano network through increased utilization and diversity of applications, ultimately contributing to the platform's resilience and scalability.

[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?

Proven Expertise in Blockchain Development: Our team comprises seasoned professionals with extensive experience in blockchain technology, smart contract development, and full-stack application design. We have successfully delivered projects that involve complex integrations of on-chain and off-chain components, demonstrating our proficiency in technologies like Aiken for smart contracts and Mesh for transaction handling.

Established Track Record: We have a history of contributing to the Cardano community through open-source projects, educational resources, and active participation in developer forums, including a Catalyst-funded project that was concluded successfully. Our previous projects have received positive feedback for their innovation, technical excellence, and practical utility, showcasing our ability to execute initiatives that align with community needs and expectations.

Expertise in Building Developer Tools and Resources: Our team specializes in creating developer-friendly tools, comprehensive documentation, and intuitive UI/UX designs. We understand the challenges developers face when entering the blockchain space and are adept at crafting solutions that simplify complex concepts. This expertise is crucial for producing the high-quality templates and resources outlined in our project.

Understanding of Infrastructure and Deployment: We possess in-depth knowledge of setting up scalable, cost-effective infrastructure, including indexing services, databases, and cloud deployment strategies. Our experience ensures that the guidance and examples we provide are practical, efficient, and aligned with industry best practices, enabling developers to deploy applications that are both robust and sustainable.

Commitment to the Cardano Ecosystem: Our dedication to the Cardano platform is reflected in our active engagement with the community and our contributions to its growth, including hosting the Cardano Constitutional Workshop in Peru. We are committed to advancing the ecosystem by fostering innovation, supporting fellow developers, and promoting the adoption of Cardano's technology across various sectors.

Project Management and Delivery Assurance: With a strong background in project management, we are equipped to oversee the development of the ten dApp templates, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to quality standards. We employ agile methodologies to maintain flexibility and responsiveness throughout the project lifecycle, allowing us to adapt to any challenges that may arise.

Collaborative Approach and Community Engagement: We plan to engage the community throughout the project's development by maintaining open-source repositories, encouraging contributions, and soliciting feedback. This collaborative approach not only enriches the quality of our resources but also fosters a sense of ownership and involvement within the community.

Financial and Resource Planning: We have conducted thorough planning to ensure that the project is financially feasible and that we have access to all necessary resources. Our budget allocations cover development, testing and documentation, providing a solid foundation for successful project execution.

Conclusion: Our team's expertise, track record, and commitment to the Cardano ecosystem position us well to deliver this project effectively. We are confident in our ability to produce high-quality, impactful resources that will significantly benefit developers, businesses, and the broader Cardano community, driving forward the adoption and innovation of blockchain applications.

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

Project Setup and Initial Planning

Duration: 2 months

In the first milestone, we will establish the foundational elements essential for the project's success. This includes creating a comprehensive project plan that outlines objectives, timelines, and key performance indicators. We will design a scalable system architecture that accommodates all ten dApp templates, integrating critical components such as databases, authentication mechanisms, responsive user interfaces (UI) for both mobile and desktop, real-time updates, and deployment procedures. Additionally, we will set up GitHub repositories with standardized code structures and initial documentation for each template. Effective communication channels will be established using platforms like Discord and project management tools to facilitate seamless team collaboration. Video tutorials will be created to guide developers through the initial setup and architecture overview.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Completion and approval of the detailed project plan and system architecture.
• GitHub repositories are initialized with standardized structures and documentation.
• Communication channels are active and being utilized effectively by the team.
• Initial video tutorials are produced and accessible to the team.

Evidence of Completion:

• Project plan and architecture documents available in the GitHub repository.
• Accessible GitHub repository links with initial commits.
• Active communication channels confirmed through team interactions.
• Video tutorials uploaded to a shared platform and reviewed by the team.

Development of Initial dApp Templates

Duration: 3 months

During this phase, we will develop the initial set of dApp templates, focusing on the most critical and foundational contracts. Each template will build upon one or more open-source smart contracts, integrating necessary infrastructure components such as reactive databases, secure authentication systems, and responsive UIs optimized for both mobile and desktop views. Real-time updates will be implemented to ensure seamless user experiences, and deployment procedures will be standardized across all templates. Comprehensive documentation and video tutorials will be created to guide developers through the setup and customization processes. Flexibility in development order will allow us to prioritize templates based on progress and specific project needs, ensuring optimal resource allocation.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Initial dApp templates are fully developed and operational on the testnet.
• Integrated components such as databases, authentication systems, and responsive UIs function seamlessly.
• Real-time dApp reactivity are implemented and tested.
• Documentation and video tutorials for each template are complete and accessible.

Evidence of Completion:

• Updated GitHub repositories with the initial templates.
• Demonstration videos showcasing the functionality and responsiveness of each dApp.
• Published documentation and video tutorials available in the repositories.

Expansion and Enhancement of dApp Templates

Duration: 3 months

In the third milestone, we will expand our library by developing additional dApp templates, potentially integrating multiple smart contracts as necessary to enhance functionality. This phase focuses on building three more templates, each incorporating advanced features such as escrow services, collateral management, and token issuance/redemption. Each template will include robust infrastructure components, secure authentication, responsive UI/UX designs for both mobile and desktop, and real-time updates to enhance user interactions. Comprehensive documentation and video tutorials will support developers in utilizing these templates effectively. The development order may adjust based on project dynamics and feedback, ensuring that the most impactful use cases are addressed first.

Acceptance Criteria:

• Additional dApp templates are fully developed and operational on the testnet.
• Enhanced functionalities and integrated infrastructure components perform reliably.
• Comprehensive documentation and video tutorials for each new template are available.

Evidence of Completion:

• Updated GitHub repositories with the newly developed templates.
• Demonstration videos highlighting the features and responsiveness of each dApp.
• Published documentation and video tutorials accessible in the repositories.

Completion of Final dApp Templates

Duration: 3 months

The fourth milestone involves completing the development of the final set of dApp templates, ensuring that all ten templates are fully functional and integrated with the system architecture. This phase may involve developing up to four additional templates, including price oracles, ownership and custody solutions, liquidation mechanisms, and auditing/reporting tools. Each template will be optimized for scalability, security, and responsiveness, leveraging already battle-tested smart contracts to enhance reliability. Real-time updates and responsive UIs for both mobile and desktop will be fully integrated, ensuring a seamless user experience. Comprehensive testing and documentation will be conducted to ensure each template meets production-grade standards. Flexibility in the development order allows for multi-contract integrations where necessary, adapting to project needs dynamically.

Acceptance Criteria:

• All ten dApp templates are fully developed and operational on the testnet.
• Integrated systems perform reliably and responsively across all templates.
• Finalized documentation and video tutorials for each template are complete and user-friendly.

Evidence of Completion:

• GitHub repositories updated with all ten templates.
• Comprehensive demonstration videos for each dApp showcasing functionality and responsiveness.
• Complete documentation and video tutorials available in the repositories.

Comprehensive Testing, Optimization, and Final Reporting

Duration: 1 month

In the final milestone, we will conduct thorough testing and optimization across all ten dApp templates to ensure they meet production-grade standards. This includes functional, performance, and security testing to identify and address any issues. We will optimize the templates for scalability, responsiveness, and efficiency, ensuring they are ready for deployment in real-world scenarios. A final project report will be compiled, summarizing achievements, challenges, and outcomes. Additionally, we will create demonstration materials, including detailed videos and presentations, and conduct knowledge-sharing sessions to showcase the project's success and facilitate community adoption. Deployment procedures will be finalized, and video tutorials will be updated to reflect any optimizations made during this phase.

Acceptance Criteria: 

• All dApp templates pass comprehensive testing and optimization.
• Final project report is completed and reviewed.
• Demonstration materials and documentation are finalized and ready for dissemination.

Evidence of Completion:

• Detailed test reports and optimization logs available in the project repository.
• Final project report published and accessible.
• Demonstration videos and presentation materials prepared for stakeholder review.
• Updated video tutorials reflecting final optimizations and deployment procedures.

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

Erick Romero | Blockchain & Full-Stack Developer & Business Strategy

Background: Engineer

LinkedIn: Erick Romero

Twitter: @ErickRomeroEdda

Erick plays a pivotal role in the technical design and architecture of Edda Labs' blockchain projects. As the Blockchain & Full-Stack Developer, he leads the development of smart contracts, ensuring they are modular, secure, and fully aligned with project goals. Erick combines deep expertise in blockchain technology, software development, and project management, strategically guiding each initiative to ensure technical excellence.

With over 15 years of experience in the tech field, Erick has actively participated in the Plutus Pioneer Program, Aiken-Mesh PBL, Marlowe Pioneer Program, Midnight Pioneer Program and the Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate. He has a robust understanding of zero-knowledge technology and its application in smart contracts, thanks to his role as a lead developer in the Midnight hackathon, where Edda Labs secured first place. Additionally, Erick is the co-host of the Cardano Constitutional Workshop in Peru. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Erick's ability to communicate across languages aligns with the project’s multilingual content creation goal. His background in project management is bolstered by a master’s degree in renewable energy and an MBA, ensuring financial discipline and transparency across all projects.

 

Tainá Bugs | Full-Stack Developer & Product Design & Product Owner

Background: Engineer & Designer

LinkedIn: Tainá Bugs

Twitter: @tainabugs

Tainá is a highly skilled Full-Stack Developer with expertise in Next.js and its App Router, managing both backend and frontend functionalities to deliver integrated solutions swiftly and effectively. In addition to her development work, Tainá is responsible for product design, ensuring that client needs are effectively reflected in the application in the most efficient and user-centric way. Her technical expertise allows her to work across all layers of the application, from server-side logic to client-side interactivity, ensuring a seamless user experience.

With over 10 years of experience in the tech field, Tainá brings a diverse background as a civil and metallurgical engineer, as well as a designer. She has also completed the Cardano Blockchain Certified Associate program and, as part of the team that won the Midnight hackathon, she has hands-on experience in implementing zero-knowledge technology within smart contracts. Additionally, she is a co-host of the Cardano Constitutional Workshop in Peru. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, Tainá is well-positioned to support the project's goal of producing multilingual content. Her blend of full-stack development, product design, and blockchain expertise positions her as a key asset in delivering innovative and user-centric solutions.

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

Total Budget: 191,813.00 ADA

You can see the detailed budget here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ESHWkf9h37YG4Nhd-hRqHgx_o60aOqf/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=110349680417320756134&rtpof=true&sd=true

Milestone 1: Project Setup and Initial Planning

Duration: 2 months

Total for Milestone 1: 31,625 ADA

• Blockchain Developer (Real-Time Database Integration, Auth and integration): 16,250 ADA
• Full-Stack Developer & UI/UX Design: 12,500 ADA
• Contingency: 2,875 ADA

Milestone 2: Development of Initial dApp Templates

Duration: 3 months

Total for Milestone 2: 47,438 ADA

• Blockchain Developer (Real-Time Database Integration, Auth and integration): 24,375 ADA
• Full-Stack Developer & UI/UX Design: 18,750 ADA
• Contingency: 4,313 ADA

Milestone 3: Expansion and Enhancement of dApp Templates

Duration: 3 months

Total for Milestone 3: 47,438 ADA

• Blockchain Developer (Real-Time Database Integration, Auth and integration): 24,375 ADA
• Full-Stack Developer & UI/UX Design: 18,750 ADA
• Contingency: 4,313 ADA

Milestone 4: Completion of Final dApp Templates

Duration: 3 months

Total for Milestone 4: 47,438 ADA

• Blockchain Developer (Real-Time Database Integration, Auth and integration): 24,375 ADA
• Full-Stack Developer & UI/UX Design: 18,750 ADA
• Contingency: 4,313 ADA

Milestone 5: Comprehensive Testing, Optimization, and Final Reporting

Duration: 1 month

Total for Milestone 5: 17,875 ADA

• Blockchain Developer (Real-Time Database Integration, Auth and integration): 8,125 ADA
• Full-Stack Developer & UI/UX Design: 8,125 ADA
• Contingency: 1,625 ADA

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

Our budget of 191,813 ADA is strategically allocated to develop ten comprehensive dApp templates built upon existing open-source smart contracts. By leveraging already implemented and battle-tested contracts developed by experienced teams, we optimize development costs and eliminate redundant work. This approach not only ensures high security and reliability but also allows us to focus our resources on adding significant value through integrated databases, authentication systems, intuitive UI/UX, and robust infrastructure guidance.

By utilizing these proven smart contracts, we create synergy within the Cardano ecosystem, enhancing and expanding upon the foundational work of other developers. This collaborative strategy maximizes the effectiveness of the Cardano treasury, ensuring funds are used efficiently to generate substantial ecosystem growth. Our templates provide end-to-end solutions that lower technical and knowledge barriers, enabling developers and businesses to rapidly build and deploy production-grade blockchain applications without starting from scratch.

For developers, this means access to ready-to-use, secure, and scalable templates that accelerate the development process, fostering innovation and increasing the number of high-quality dApps on Cardano. For businesses, our solutions offer cost-effective and reliable tools to integrate blockchain technology into their operations, reducing time and financial investment while enhancing operational capabilities.

By optimizing development costs and building on established, secure smart contracts, our project delivers exceptional value for money. It drives the adoption of Cardano by attracting a broader range of developers and businesses, ultimately strengthening the ecosystem and increasing the utility and value of ADA. This efficient use of resources ensures that the Cardano treasury is invested in initiatives that provide maximum impact, promoting sustainable growth and long-term benefits for the entire community.