Intermediate5 min read

dApp Developer Path

Learn to integrate Cardano into decentralized applications with smart contract support

Welcome to the dApp Developer learning path. This guide will teach you how to build decentralized applications that interact with Cardano smart contracts.

What You'll Learn

By the end of this path, you'll be able to:

Connect to browser wallets (Nami, Eternl, Lace)
Build transactions that interact with Plutus scripts
Evaluate transaction costs before submission
Handle script execution errors gracefully
Implement common dApp patterns (swaps, minting, etc.)

Prerequisites

Before starting, you should have:

Completed the Wallet Developer Path or equivalent knowledge
Understanding of Cardano's eUTxO model
Familiarity with Plutus or Aiken smart contracts (conceptually)
A Nacho API key from your dashboard

Path Overview

Intermediate15 min

Handle User Wallets

Connect to browser wallets and request transaction signatures.

Advanced25 min

Smart Contract Integration

Build transactions that interact with Plutus validators.

Core Concepts

Extended UTxO (eUTxO)

Cardano's smart contracts extend the UTxO model with:

Datum: Data attached to script-locked UTxOs
Redeemer: Data provided when spending script UTxOs
Validator Script: On-chain code that validates spending

Traditional UTxO:  Owner (public key) → can spend

Extended UTxO:     Script + Datum → Redeemer required to spend
                   Script validates: (Datum, Redeemer, ScriptContext) → Bool

Script Addresses

Scripts have their own addresses, derived from the script hash:

Type	Example Prefix	Description
Plutus V1	`addr1w...`	Original Plutus scripts
Plutus V2	`addr1w...`	Reference inputs, inline datums
Plutus V3	`addr1w...`	Conway era features

Reference Scripts

Instead of including the full script in every transaction, you can:

Store the script in a UTxO (reference script)
Reference that UTxO in transactions
Save significant transaction fees

dApp Architecture

API Endpoints for dApps

Endpoint	Purpose
`queryLedgerState/utxo`	Query script UTxOs with datums
`evaluateTransaction`	Calculate execution units (before signing)
`submitTransaction`	Submit signed transactions
`queryLedgerState/protocolParameters`	Get current fee parameters

Common dApp Patterns

DEX Swaps

Query pool UTxO to get current liquidity
Build swap transaction with redeemer
Evaluate to get execution costs
User signs, submit

NFT Minting

Build transaction with minting policy
Include metadata (CIP-25)
Evaluate, sign, submit

Escrow / Vesting

Lock funds at script address with datum
Query script UTxOs
Build claim transaction with redeemer
Script validates claim conditions

Next Steps

Ready to start building? Begin with wallet integration:

Start: Handle User Wallets

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