linera-protocol: Build Scalable Web3 Applications

Overview

Linera is a decentralized blockchain protocol intended to support secure, low-latency Web3 applications at scale. It provides the components for running protocol nodes and clients, managing chains and cross-chain messages, and executing applications.

The repository is aimed at protocol contributors and developers building applications for Linera. Its Rust SDK targets applications running in a Wasm virtual machine; the project also provides a CLI for setting up and interacting with a local network.

Key Features

• Protocol components for blocks, certificates, chains, and cross-chain messaging.
• Client, server, proxy, and node synchronization logic.
• Storage abstractions and views for mapping data structures to key-value storage.
• Rust SDK and procedural macros for developing Wasm applications.
• CLI commands for local network setup, wallet management, chain requests, and transfers.
• Example applications and developer documentation.

Use Cases

• Web3 developers can build Rust applications for the Linera Wasm runtime.
• Protocol engineers can work on chain execution, storage, networking, or client and server components.
• Application teams can test chain interactions and transfers on a local network before using a testnet.
• Rust client developers can use the client library or CLI to interact with Linera chains.

Project Facts

• Language: Rust
• License: Apache-2.0
• Stars: 32.1k
• Forks: 2.4k
• Topics: blockchain, rust, wasm
• Archived: No

Getting Started

For prerequisites and detailed setup instructions, see the README and INSTALL.md. After building the binaries, the README's quickstart uses linera net up --with-faucet --faucet-port 8080 to launch a local network.

Alternatives

• r55: R55 extends Ethereum's execution environment for EVM and RISC-V contracts, while Linera provides its own blockchain protocol and Wasm application SDK.

Considerations

This is a substantial Rust protocol repository rather than a standalone application: developing or running it requires building its binaries and meeting the repository's software prerequisites. Application development targets Linera's Wasm runtime, so developers should consult the developer documentation and examples to understand the platform's APIs and workflow. The repository describes the infrastructure's scalability and latency goals, but the supplied information does not provide performance measurements.