Midnight JS for Beginners: Build your first DApp

[Proposal setup] Proposal title

Please provide your proposal title

Midnight JS for Beginners: Build your first DApp

[Proposal Summary] Budget Information

Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA

36900

[Proposal Summary] Time

Please specify how many months you expect your project to last

4

[Proposal Summary] Translation Information

Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated

No

Original Language

en

[Proposal Summary] Problem Statement

What is the problem you want to solve?

Midnight lacks practical JavaScript tutorials, leaving developers without clear guidance to write smart contracts, generate proofs, use the SDK, or build a complete testnet DApp.

[Proposal Summary] Supporting Documentation

Supporting links

• https://github.com/LTP-Blockchain-Lab/Compact-Tutorial

[Proposal Summary] Project Dependencies

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

No

Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'

No dependencies

[Proposal Summary] Project Open Source

Will your project's outputs be fully open source?

No

Please provide details on the intellectual property (IP) status of your project outputs, including whether they will be released as open source or retained under another licence.

All source code, examples, scripts, and sample DApps will be publicly released on GitHub under the MIT License. All course videos will be published for free on YouTube. Detailed documentation will be made available on GitBook, allowing the Cardano community to reuse, modify, and extend the materials.

[Theme Selection] Theme

Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal

Education

[Campaign Category] Category Questions

Who you’re targeting, how you’ll reach them, and why this matters for Cardano?

We are targeting JavaScript developers who are new to Midnight and Cardano. They will be reached through online courses, Discord and Telegram communities, GitHub repositories, YouTube tutorials, and social media campaigns. This matters for Cardano because increasing the number of skilled developers will accelerate DApp creation on Midnight, expanding the ecosystem and onboarding more builders.

Provide a list of key activities of your project:

• Develop and record 20–25 instructional videos covering Midnight JS fundamentals and DApp building
• Publish sample source code and DApp templates on GitHub
• Provide detailed technical documentation on GitBook
• Host community support channels (Discord/Telegram)
• Organize monthly contests and hands-on coding challenges
• Release all content for free to the global Cardano developer community

What are your success metrics?

• At least 30 learners enrolled within 4 months
• Completion rate ≥ 50% with each graduate delivering a functional DApp
• Video content achieves ≥ 50 views and ≥ 10 engagements per video
• 5–10 learner-created DApps deployed on Midnight testnet
• Active engagement in GitHub, Discord, and YouTube communities
• Learner satisfaction ≥ 80%

[Your Project and Solution] Solution

Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem

Problem Perception

1. There is a significant lack of practical resources and hands-on guidance for building DApps on Midnight.

• Midnight is a strategically important new technology within the Cardano ecosystem, promising a powerful fourth-generation blockchain. However, its current documentation remains fragmented and largely theoretical, making it difficult for newcomers to understand how to begin developing applications in the ecosystem.
• Currently, there are very few practical tutorials or step-by-step guides available, and there are no courses that provide real-world, fully implemented examples.
• This makes it difficult for developers to progress from initial onboarding to actually understanding and using the tools required to build DApps on Midnight.

1. There is a lack of structured frameworks or practical on-ramps that help developers understand and engage with Midnight’s architectural model.

• Developers are still unfamiliar with concepts such as zero-knowledge proofs, private state management, and the interaction patterns between a front-end application and a Midnight node. The lack of real-world examples makes it difficult for them to visualize how Midnight operates within a web application.

1. The ecosystem requires a stronger developer community and a more robust pool of technical talent.

• Midnight is newly launched, offering significant opportunities, but the ecosystem still lacks builders. Without foundational training materials and structured onboarding, the ecosystem will struggle to produce its first wave of DApps, developer tooling, and new builder teams.

Proposed Solutions

• We are developing the first Midnight JS course, enabling JavaScript developers to progress from having no prior knowledge to being able to independently build and deploy a fully functional DApp on the Midnight testnet.
• Our learning methodology is concise, hands-on, and project-oriented, ensuring practical skill acquisition through real implementation rather than abstract theory.

Main Components

1. Online Course Structure

• 20–25 high-quality video lessons
• Clear explanations of private data, zero-knowledge, and the Midnight JS SDK
• Content progresses from fundamentals to full testnet deployment.

1. Code Hosting and Open-Source Publication

• Sample source code for each lesson.
• Guides and deployment of DApp templates for learners to reuse.

1. Community interaction (Discord / Telegram)

• Direct support channels.
• Monthly contests and rewards.

1. Road map

• Module 1 Setup & Fundamentals: Environment setup and understanding Midnight’s private/public data model.
• Module 2 Midnight JS Basics: Interacting with the node, creating basic transactions, and managing state.
• Module 3 Smart Contracts & Privacy Logic: Writing simple contracts, handling private data, and integrating the zero-knowledge workflow.
• Module 4 Build Your First Midnight DApp: Learners complete a fully functional DApp.
• The DApp is deployed on the testnet and showcased at the end of the course.

[Your Project and Solution] Impact

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

The Midnight JS for Beginners: Build your first DApp project will create a direct and lasting impact on the Cardano–Midnight ecosystem by delivering a hands-on training program that enables JavaScript developers to onboard faster, understand the technology correctly, and build a fully functional DApp on Midnight.

In a landscape where Midnight is still new and learning resources are fragmented, this project serves as a critical bridge to expand the developer community, lower the barriers to entry, and accelerate the creation of DApps on Cardano.

Value Delivered to the Cardano Community

• Contribute the first comprehensive Midnight JavaScript learning materials and training course for both the Vietnamese and global developer communities.
• Encourage participation from JavaScript developers — the largest and most active developer group worldwide — into the Cardano ecosystem.
• Increase the number of projects and DApps built on Midnight through team-based learning and continuous hands-on practice.
• Strengthen Cardano’s developer talent pool by training a new generation of builders who can work with Midnight from its early days.
• Create a knowledge bridge between Cardano and Midnight through a learn–practice–build model, contributing directly to the Cardano Foundation’s educational goals by expanding accessible learning resources and fostering innovation.

How We Will Share Opportunities and Outcomes:

We are committed to maintaining full transparency in our teaching process and in sharing all project outcomes.

• 30+ learners enrolled within the first 4 months.Over 50% completion rate, with each graduate delivering a functional DApp deployed on the Midnight testnet.
• Above 80% learner satisfaction, measured through end-of-course surveys.
• Growth in community engagement across GitHub, Discord, and YouTube as a direct result of the course content.

Expected Outputs:

• 5–10 DApps or mini-projects built by learners after completing the course.
• Each learner who completes the curriculum will understand the full workflow of building a DApp on Midnight, including how to operate and integrate the essential development tools.
• Increased technical maturity within the community, reflected through higher-quality technical discussions, code sharing, and collaborative teamwork throughout the learning journey.

[Your Project and Solution] Capabilities & 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?

**Expertise: **Our team consists of developers with proven experience in building DApps on Cardano and Midnight. We have participated in multiple Cardano hackathons and blockchain development initiatives, ensuring strong technical expertise in both research and instruction.

Technical Capacity: Our team includes developers with over 3 years of experience working with the Cardano blockchain and more than 3 months of focused research on Midnight. We have already implemented several example projects, including Compact-based contracts and basic DApps available on GitHub, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the strengths, limitations, and development workflows of the platform.

Teaching and Community Support:

Our team has taught over 30–50 students at universities in Vietnam. Our courses focus on Cardano blockchain topics, guiding students from zero knowledge to building a complete dApp. In addition, we actively support the Blockchain Pioneer Student Club by organizing workshops, hackathons, and mentoring sessions. These activities aim to introduce blockchain development to new learners, provide hands-on experience with Cardano and Midnight, and help build a vibrant developer community.

Additional Activities:

• Organizing technical workshops on smart contract development and dApp building.
• Hosting live coding sessions and Q&A for students and community members.
• Mentoring participants in hackathons and student projects
• Producing educational content, tutorials, and guides for public use.

Link for reference:

• https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17qjAN7Wo4/
• https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Eomzoh9aY/
• https://x.com/bps_club/status/1978880718853017995
• https://x.com/bps_club/status/1987537831779287085
• https://x.com/bps_club/status/1990076090573095015
• https://x.com/bps_club/status/1990076090573095015

The MedID project won 2st prize main track in the Cardano Blockchain Hackathon 2025.

[Milestones] Project Milestones

Milestone Title

Environment Setup & Fundamental Knowledge

Milestone Outputs

A series of 5–6 foundational videos introducing Midnight:

• Course overview & learning roadmap
• Midnight fundamentals: private/public model, ZK concepts
• How to create an Eternl wallet
• Environment setup on macOS, Linux, Windows
• GitBook documentation explaining end-to-end concepts: private state, transaction flow
• Repo GitHub starter repository including basic example source code

Acceptance Criteria

• Minimum 5-6 public videos published on Youtube.
• Each video receives ≥ 50 views and ≥ 10 engagements
• At least 3 promotional posts on X and Telegram
• GitBook and GitHub fully completed for Module 1

Evidence of Completion

• YouTube playlist containing all 6 videos
• GitBook Module 1 documentation
• GitHub repository with setup instructions and sample code
• Public Google Sheet tracking all performance metrics
• Links to all social media announcements on X & Telegram

Delivery Month

1

Cost

8000

Progress

20 %

Milestone Title

Midnight JS Basics Node Interaction & Fundamental Transactions

Milestone Outputs

6–8 instructional videos covering core Midnight JS workflows:

• Connecting to a Midnight node
• Creating and signing basic transactions
• Managing public and private state
• Interacting with a wallet and submitting transactions
• Sample code set: create transaction, read state, update state
• Visual explanations in GitBook describing architecture and workflow

Acceptance Criteria

• At least 8 public videos published
• Each video receives ≥ 50 views and ≥ 10 engagements
• Minimum 3 promotional posts across X and Telegram
• All code and documentation must be transparent, reproducible, and fully functional on the Midnight testnet

Evidence of Completion

• YouTube playlist for Module 2
• GitBook section documenting all Midnight JS operations
• GitHub repository containing example code and setup instructions
• GitHub commits for each lesson’s source code
• Public Google Sheet tracking performance metrics

Delivery Month

1

Cost

9000

Progress

50 %

Milestone Title

Smart Contract Development & Private Logic

Milestone Outputs

A series of 5 in-depth videos covering:

• Smart contract structure in Midnight
• Private logic and ZK data handling
• Development of 1–2 sample contracts (e.g., Counter, Private Note)
• Deploying contracts to the testnet
• Calling contract functions using Midnight JS
• All sample code released under MIT open-source license

Acceptance Criteria

• 5 public videos published on Youtube.
• 3 promotional posts on X and Telegram
• Deployed contracts must operate reliably on the Midnight testnet
• Each video achieves ≥ 50 views and ≥ 10 engagements

Evidence of Completion

• Module 3 YouTube playlist
• GitHub repository containing contracts and build documentation
• GitBook section explaining private logic
• Verified transactions on Midnight Explorer
• Google Sheet with public metrics tracking

Delivery Month

1

Cost

10900

Progress

80 %

Milestone Title

Build a Complete DApp Build Your First Midnight DApp

Milestone Outputs

A series of 5 videos guiding learners through building a complete DApp, example:

• Private Voting
• Private Messaging
• Video content includes:
• Initializing a Next.js project and connecting the Eternl wallet
• Interacting with deployed contracts through Midnight JS
• Deploying the DApp on Vercel
• A working DApp demo available publicly for community testing

Acceptance Criteria

• 5 public videos published on Youtube.
• Fully operational DApp on the Midnight testnet
• 3 promotional posts on X and Telegram
• Each video achieves ≥ 50 views and ≥ 10 engagements
• All code and documentation must be transparent, reproducible, and fully functional on the Midnight testnet

Evidence of Completion

• Module 4 YouTube playlist
• Public Vercel deployment link
• Sample transactions visible on Midnight Explorer
• Complete source code published on GitHub
• GitBook chapter documenting the full DApp build
• Public Google Sheet showing all metrics

Delivery Month

1

Cost

9000

Progress

100 %

[Final Pitch] Budget & Costs

Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

The project is structured into four major milestones, covering content production, video creation, technical documentation, source code development, and testing. The estimated budget is allocated as follows:

Milestone 1 – Overview & Environment Setup: ₳8,000 (21.68%)

• Researching Midnight JS documentation and ecosystem
• Preparing course content and video scripts
• Recording and editing instructional videos
• Writing foundational technical documentation
• Testing the development environment to ensure learners follow a consistent setup

Milestone 2 – Exploring Compact Syntax: ₳9,000 (24.39%)

• Writing sample code to illustrate Compact syntax
• Building practical on-chain examples
• Producing detailed explanatory documentation
• Creating hands-on, visually guided tutorial videos

Milestone 3 – Off-chain Development & Smart Contract Interaction: ₳10,900 (29.54%)

• Developing SDK utilities or wallet-integration modules for Midnight
• Implementing query, transaction submission, and contract-interaction workflows
• Producing comprehensive video tutorials and accompanying technical documentation

Milestone 4 – Building a Complete DApp: ₳9,000 (24.39%)

• Developing a full end-to-end DApp
• Recording all implementation steps
• Preparing consolidated documentation and optimizing the source code before release

Beyond the activities covered within the allocated budget, the project team commits to providing continued support for learners even after the course has officially concluded. This post-course support does not require additional funding, but it ensures that the project delivers long-term value, extending beyond the course materials themselves and fostering a sustainable developer community within the Midnight ecosystem.

Total Budget: ₳36,900

[Final Pitch] Value for Money

How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?

The project delivers sustainable, long-term value to the Cardano–Midnight ecosystem by creating an open-source, accessible, and entirely free learning resource. The requested budget represents a one-time investment, but it generates ongoing impact by enabling continuous onboarding of new developers, strengthening the builder community, and supporting future DApp development on Midnight without requiring additional funding.

Core Value Delivered by the Requested Budget

Creation of a permanent asset rather than a short-term service

• The budget is used to produce a complete Midnight JS course, including video lessons, sample code, and technical documentation. Once published, all materials will be openly available on YouTube and GitHub, enabling thousands of learners to benefit without generating any ongoing operational costs.

Addressing a critical documentation gap in Midnight

• Midnight currently lacks beginner-friendly and practical onboarding resources. This project directly fills that gap, shortening the learning curve and attracting more developers into the ecosystem.

Costs that accurately reflect the required professional effort

• The budget is primarily allocated to research, content development, video production, code testing, and editorial work. These costs align with industry standards for producing high-quality technical education—especially in a specialized domain like blockchain.

Long-term and compounding ecosystem impact

• A well-designed course will continue to train new developers for years with no additional funding. This creates outsized long-term value compared to the one-time investment, supporting sustainable growth of the Midnight developer community.

A strategic investment in talent development

• Rather than paying for tools or services, 100% of the budget is invested directly into creating expertise, knowledge, and practical skills for the community. This forms a crucial foundation for Midnight’s long-term expansion and aligns with Cardano’s mission to grow its developer ecosystem.

[Self-Assessment] Self-Assessment Checklist

I confirm that the proposal is a non-technical initiative, with ≤20% of the budget for tech support.

Yes

I confirm that the proposal provides verifiable evidence (portfolio, links, reports) of the team's ability to deliver the project.

Yes

I confirm that the proposer and all team members are in good standing with prior Catalyst projects.

Yes

I confirm that the proposal includes clear objectives with both Output Metrics (what proposal did) and Adoption-Focused Metrics (what effect proposal had).

Yes

I confirm that the proposal clearly explains the user journey and provides a credible plan for how the project will equip and motivate users for future on-chain activity.

Yes

I confirm that the initiative clearly demonstrates how it will grow the Cardano ecosystem or onboard users.

Yes

I confirm that the project plan and timeline (≤ 12 months) are realistic and well-defined.

Yes

I confirm that the proposal commits to public outputs and justifies any exceptions.

Yes

I confirm that the budget adheres to all policies: it is for future work, follows the merchandise rule, and excludes establishing local treasuries, incentives/giveaways, re-grants.

Yes

[Required Acknowledgements] Consent & Confirmation

I Agree

Yes