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Prerequisites: Rust and Node.js Installation

Ready to build on Cedra? Let's get your development environment set up! 🚀

You'll need two powerful tools in your arsenal:

🦀 Rust - The backbone for building Cedra from source and crafting Move modules
📦 Node.js - Your gateway to DApp development and frontend magic

🎯 Version Requirements​

For the smoothest Cedra experience, we recommend:

  • Rust: 1.86.0 or higher
  • Node.js: 18.x LTS or 20.x LTS
  • npm: 8.0.0 or higher

🦀 Installing Rust​

Platform Support

Rust runs beautifully on Windows 10/11 (64-bit), macOS 10.12+, and Linux (kernel 3.2+)

Via Homebrew Way. One command, and you're done!

brew install rust

The Official Installer Route Download and run the official installer

curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh

Don't forget to activate Rust in your current shell:

source "$HOME/.cargo/env"

✅ Verify Your Rust Installation​

Check if everything's working

rustc --version
cargo --version

📚 Need more details? Check out rust-lang.org/tools/install

📦 Installing Node.js​

Time to set up your JavaScript runtime! We recommend Node.js 18.x LTS or 20.x LTS for maximum stability.

Homebrew (Lightning Fast)​

brew install node

Node Version Manager (For the Power Users)​

  1. Get nvm up and running:

    curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.0/install.sh | bash

  2. Refresh your shell:

    source ~/.bashrc

  3. Install the latest LTS:

    nvm install --lts
    nvm use --lts

Traditional Installer​

Prefer clicking? Download from nodejs.org and follow the wizard!

🔧 Final Touches​

  1. Supercharge npm:

    # Always use the latest npm
    npm install -g npm@latest

  2. Fix npm permissions (Linux/macOS):

    # Create a safe space for global packages
    mkdir ~/.npm-global
    npm config set prefix '~/.npm-global'
    echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.bashrc
    source ~/.bashrc

  3. Install developer essentials:

    # The holy trinity of JavaScript tools
    npm install -g yarn pnpm typescript

✅ Verify Node.js is Ready​

# Check your versions
node --version
npm --version

Expected output:

v20.10.0
10.2.3

Give it a test run:

# Hello, Node.js!
node -e "console.log('Node.js is installed successfully! 🎉')"

📚 Want to dive deeper? Visit nodejs.org/en/download

🚀 You're All Set!​

Congratulations! With Rust and Node.js installed, you have the foundation needed for Cedra development. Here's your roadmap forward:

🎯 Immediate Next Steps​

  1. Install the Cedra CLI ⬅️ Do this next!

    • Essential tool for all Cedra development
    • Compiles Move contracts, manages accounts, and interacts with the blockchain

  2. Get Test Tokens from Faucet

    • You'll need CEDRA tokens for deploying contracts
    • Free testnet tokens for development

  3. Build Your First Counter App

    • Hands-on tutorial to create your first smart contract
    • Learn Move basics with a practical example
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