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Version: v6

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Core Libraries

These are the foundational libraries for interacting with ink! contracts from JavaScript and TypeScript applications. Choose the level of abstraction that best fits your project needs.

Low-Level Libraries​

RPC Interface​

  • RPC Interface (not recommended)
  • Nodes participating in the blockchain network offer a JSON RPC interface to interact with the blockchain's state and capabilities
  • Direct interaction with the blockchain without any abstraction layer
  • Requires deep understanding of the underlying protocols

General Polkadot SDK Libraries​

papi​

  • polkadot-api (currently recommended)
  • Fully-typed TypeScript API supporting general interaction with Polkadot-SDK based blockchains
  • Modern, lightweight alternative to @polkadot/api
  • Excellent TypeScript support and developer experience

@polkadot/api​

  • @polkadot/api (not recommended for new projects)
  • Allows for most general interaction with Polkadot-SDK based blockchains from JavaScript
  • To interact with smart contracts, use the pallet-revive runtime calls
  • Legacy library, consider using polkadot-api for new projects

ink!-Specific SDKs​

@polkadot-api/sdk-ink​

  • @polkadot-api/sdk-ink (Compatible with ink! v6)
  • PAPI SDK for interacting with ink! smart contracts
  • Fully type-safe APIs for:
    • Deploying contracts
    • Dry-running calls
    • Sending messages
    • Estimating gas and storage deposits
    • Decoding events
    • Accessing on-chain storage of contracts

dedot​

  • dedot (Compatible with ink! v6)
  • Next-gen TypeScript client for Polkadot & Polkadot SDK-based networks
  • Fully type-safe APIs for interacting with ink! smart contracts
  • Features:
    • Generates TypeScript bindings for contracts
    • Contract deployment and interaction
    • Query and transaction execution
    • Dry runs for validation
    • Event decoding with full type safety

@polkadot/api-contract​

  • @polkadot/api-contract (Compatible with ink! v6)
  • Abstraction on top of @polkadot/api for pallet-contracts and pallet-revive
  • Makes interaction with smart contracts more comfortable and type-safe
  • Built on the legacy @polkadot/api foundation