Last updated 2 weeks ago
Basic onchain insights are not available inside the developer’s IDE. Developers frequently need to copy a Cardano address from code paste it into a block explorer manually check its balance etc.
We will build CardanoHover, a powerful but lightweight VS Code extension that instantly shows Cardano address information on hover or click.
Please provide your proposal title
CardanoHover: VS Code Extension for Address Insights
Enter the amount of funding you are requesting in ADA
100000
Please specify how many months you expect your project to last
4
Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated
No
Original Language
en
What is the problem you want to solve?
Basic onchain insights are not available inside the developer’s IDE. Developers frequently need to copy a Cardano address from code paste it into a block explorer manually check its balance etc.
Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?
No
Describe any dependencies or write 'No dependencies'
No dependencies
Will your project's outputs be fully open source?
Yes
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.
MIT Licence for wide adoption
Please choose the most relevant theme and tag related to the outcomes of your proposal
Developer Tools
Describe what makes your idea innovative compared to what has been previously launched in the market (whether by you or others).
The CardanoHover VS Code extension is innovative because it brings real-time, on-chain Cardano insights directly into the developer’s editor, eliminating the need to switch between multiple tools, block explorers, or CLI commands. This streamlined approach does not exist anywhere in the Cardano ecosystem today.
Describe what your prototype or MVP will demonstrate, and where it can be accessed.
The CardanoHover extension will be easily accessible across multiple environments so that any developer can use it immediately.
Visual Studio Code Marketplace (Main Distribution Channel)
GitHub Repository (Open Source)
Describe realistic measures of success, ideally with on-chain metrics.
The success of the CardanoHover VS Code extension will be measured through clear, realistic, and verifiable indicators. These metrics reflect adoption, usefulness, stability, and long-term value to the Cardano developer ecosystem.
150+ downloads within the first 3 months after launch
300+ downloads within the first 6 months
80–120 monthly active users (MAU) by month 6
Please describe your proposed solution and how it addresses the problem
We will build CardanoHover, a powerful but lightweight VS Code extension that instantly shows Cardano address information on hover or click.
When a user hovers over any Cardano address inside a .hs, .plutus, .aiken, .ts, .js, .json, or .md file:
Address Insights
ADA Balance
Assets held at the address (fungible & NFTs)
UTxO count & preview
Delegation pool info
How This Solution Addresses the Problem
Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community
Significantly Improves Developer Experience (DX)
Cardano currently lacks convenient “in-editor” insights. Developers jump between VS Code → explorer → API docs → node queries → logs just to understand an address or UTxO.
CardanoHover removes this friction, giving instant access to balances, UTxOs, assets, delegation info, and script status with a single hover.
This brings Cardano DX closer to Ethereum-level maturity (ETHover, Hardhat tooling), making the ecosystem more competitive and attractive to developers.
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?
Strong Technical Background
Cardano development (Plutus/Aiken concepts, UTxO model, addresses, script hashes)
VS Code extension development
APIs like Koios, Blockfrost
JavaScript/TypeScript, Node, backend services
This combination makes the project technically straightforward and fully achievable.
Milestone Title
Core Infrastructure & Architecture Setup
Milestone Outputs
VS Code extension base structure (TypeScript + manifest)
Address detection engine for:
Base addresses
Enterprise addresses
Reward addresses (stake)
Script addresses
Network selector (Mainnet, Preprod, Preview, Sanchonet)
Integrated API selector (Blockfrost / Koios / Maestro)
Hover popup UI with placeholder/mock values
GitHub repository, license, contributing guide
Error-handling boilerplate + logging layer
Acceptance Criteria
Hover popup appears when pointing at a Cardano address
Address validation confirms correct Cardano addresses
User can switch networks from extension settings
API provider configuration visible and functional
Extension loads without errors in VS Code
Evidence of Completion
GitHub commit history showing implementation
Screenshots of hover popup with mock output
Screenshots of working settings panel
Delivery Month
1
Cost
25000
Progress
30 %
Milestone Title
Core Blockchain Data Integration
Milestone Outputs
Real on-chain data fetch:
ADA balance shown on hover
Full UTxO count shown
Asset list count
Delegation pool info if possible
VS Code settings panel to store Blockfrost/Maestro API keys
Beta test version released
Acceptance Criteria
Hover popup shows actual blockchain data from at least 1 providers
Data loads successfully across Mainnet, Preprod, Preview
Asset lists display correctly
No crashes or breaking errors during hover usage
Beta version tested by at least 3 external testers
Evidence of Completion
GitHub code showing API integration modules
Video demo showing:
address hover → balance, assets, delegation
explorer button working
Test logs demonstrating successful API calls
Delivery Month
2
Cost
25000
Progress
60 %
Milestone Title
UTxO Browser + Asset Viewer + Advanced UX Tools
Milestone Outputs
Full UTxO viewer panel (sidebar in VS Code):
Show all UTxOs
Inputs, outputs, assets
Inline metadata for assets/NFTs
Asset viewer (metadata fetch, CIP-25 formatting)
Address decoding tools:
Payment Key Hash
Stake Key Hash
Script hash decoder
Caching + performance optimization for faster response
Quick actions inside popup:
Copy script hash
Copy asset policy ID
Release Candidate build (v1.0-RC)
Acceptance Criteria
UTxO viewer loads full UTxO set within 400ms after data fetch
Asset viewer shows metadata for CIP-25 / CIP-68 items
Address decoding works reliably for all address types
Hover performance improved with caching
Extension stable during extended testing
RC version published on GitHub Releases
Evidence of Completion
Video walkthrough:
UTxO viewer
Decode tools
Quick actions
Full documentation for UTxO viewer
GitHub release: v1.0-RC
Screenshots of all components functioning
Delivery Month
3
Cost
25000
Progress
80 %
Milestone Title
Final UI Polish, Documentation, & Public Marketplace Release
Milestone Outputs
Final UI cleanup (theme support, layout improvements)
Documentation website (Docusaurus or GitHub Pages):
Installation guide
Setup guide for all networks
API provider setup
Usage examples
Troubleshooting
FAQ
Public publishing to VS Code Marketplace
Final testing + bug fixes
Project close-out report
Acceptance Criteria
Extension visible & installable on VS Code Marketplace
Docs fully complete with screenshots & examples
Users can:
Install
Configure
Hover
View UTxOs
Decode assets
without external assistance
No blocking issues or UI bugs remain
Final video walkthrough recorded
Evidence of Completion
Marketplace link to the extension
Final documentation website link
Close-out report submitted
Final acceptance video showcasing full product
GitHub tag v1.0
Delivery Month
4
Cost
25000
Progress
100 %
Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources
VS Code Extension Skeleton Setup 3,000 ADA
Cardano Address Detection Engine 2,000 ADA
Network Switching Module 1,500 ADA
API Provider Integrations (Koios, Blockfrost, Maestro) 4,000 ADA
Hover Popup UI + Data Rendering Engine
UTxO Viewer (sidebar view) 3,000 ADA
Asset Viewer (FT/NFT + metadata fetching) 2,500 ADA
Address Decoding Tools 2,000 ADA
Performance Optimization + Caching 2,000 ADA
Final Integration, Bug Fixing, Polishing 2,000 ADA
How does the cost of the project represent value for the Cardano ecosystem?
The requested 40,000 ADA delivers a high-impact developer tool that strengthens Cardano’s infrastructure, improves developer experience (DX), and fills a critical tooling gap. The value of the budget becomes clear when considering
High-Leverage Tooling Impact
Saves Time → Saves Money for All Dev Teams
Fills a Critical Missing Tool Not Available in Cardano
I confirm that evidence of prior research, whitepaper, design, or proof-of-concept is provided.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal includes ecosystem research and uses the findings to either (a) justify its uniqueness over existing solutions or (b) demonstrate the value of its novel approach.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal demonstrates technical capability via verifiable in-house talent or a confirmed development partner (GitHub, LinkedIn, portfolio, etc.)
Yes
I confirm that the proposer and all team members are in good standing with prior Catalyst projects.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal clearly defines the problem and the value of the on-chain utility.
Yes
I confirm that the primary goal of the proposal is a working prototype deployed on at least a Cardano testnet.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal outlines a credible and clear technical plan and architecture.
Yes
I confirm that the budget and timeline (≤ 12 months) are realistic for the proposed work.
Yes
I confirm that the proposal includes a community engagement and feedback plan to amplify prototype adoption with the Cardano ecosystem.
Yes
I confirm that the budget is for future development only; excludes retroactive funding, incentives, giveaways, re-granting, or sub-treasuries.
Yes
I Agree
Yes
As a solo developer
Name:- Subhashree Barik
Role:- Fullstack Blockchain developer