> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.saharaai.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.saharaai.com/blockchain-developer-docs/basics/editor.md).

# Get Started

### Overview

Welcome to the [Sahara](https://saharaai.com/) Blockchain developer quickstart guide. This guide will walk you through setting up your development environment and deploying your first smart contract on the Sahara Testnet.

### Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

* Node.js v16 or higher
* A code editor (VS Code recommended)
* MetaMask or another Web3 wallet
* Basic Solidity knowledge
* Git installed

### Network Details

The Sahara Testnet is our development environment with the following specifications:

Network Configuration:

```
Network Name: Sahara Testnet
RPC URL: https://testnet.saharalabs.ai
Chain ID: 313313
Currency Symbol: SAHARA
Block Explorer: https://testnet-explorer.saharalabs.ai
```

Chain Specifications:

```
Cosmos Chain ID: sahara-test-1
Ethereum Chain ID: 313313
Native Token: SAHARA
Bech32 Prefix: sah
```

### Step-by-Step Setup

#### 1. Create Project Directory

First, create and initialize your project:

```
mkdir my-sahara-project
cd my-sahara-project
npm init -y

```

#### 2. Install Dependencies

Install Hardhat and required packages:

```
npm install --save-dev hardhat @nomiclabs/hardhat-ethers ethers dotenv
```

#### 3. Configure Hardhat

Create a .env file in your project root:

```
PRIVATE_KEY=your_private_key_here 
SAHARA_TESTNET_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
```

Create hardhat.config.js with the following configuration:

```
require("@nomiclabs/hardhat-ethers");
require("dotenv").config();

const config = {
  solidity: "0.8.24",
  networks: {
    saharaTestnet: {
      chainId: 313313,
      url: "https://testnet.saharalabs.ai",
      accounts: [process.env.PRIVATE_KEY],
      timeout: 60000
    }
  },
  etherscan: {
    apiKey: {
      saharaTestnet: process.env.SAHARA_TESTNET_API_KEY
    },
    customChains: [
      {
        chainId: 313313,
        network: "saharaTestnet",
        urls: {
          apiURL: "https://testnet-explorer.saharalabs.ai/api",
          browserURL: "https://testnet-explorer.saharalabs.ai/"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
};

module.exports = config;
```

#### 4. Create Sample Contract

Create contracts/HelloSahara.sol:

```
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.19;

contract HelloSahara {
    string public message;
   
    constructor(string memory _message) {
        message = _message;
    }
   
    function updateMessage(string memory _newMessage) public {
        message = _newMessage;
    }
}
```

#### 5. Create Deployment Contract

Create scripts/deploy.js:

```
async function main() {
    const HelloSahara = await ethers.getContractFactory("HelloSahara");
    const hello = await HelloSahara.deploy("Hello, Sahara AI!");
    await hello.waitForDeployment();
   
    console.log("HelloSahara deployed to:", await hello.getAddress());

    // Wait for confirmations for verification
    await hello.deploymentTransaction().wait(5);

    // Verify contract
    await hre.run("verify:verify", {
        address: await hello.getAddress(),
        constructorArguments: ["Hello, Sahara AI!"],
    });
}

main()
    .then(() => process.exit(0))
    .catch((error) => {
        console.error(error);
        process.exit(1);
    });
```

#### 6. Get Testnet Tokens

Visit[ https://faucet.saharalabs.ai](https://faucet.saharalabs.ai) and request test SAHARA tokens for deployment.

#### 7. Deploy Contract

Run the deployment script:

```
npx hardhat run scripts/deploy.js --network sahara_testnet
```

### **Common Issues & Solutions**

**Timeout Errors**

```
// Increase timeout in your config
networks: {
  sahara_testnet: {
    timeout: 120000 // 2 minutes
  }
}

```

**Transaction Failures**

* Double-check gas settings
* Ensure proper nonce management
* Verify RPC endpoint status

**Verification Errors**

* Wait for sufficient block confirmations
* Ensure constructor arguments match exactly
* Double-check API key configuration

#### Next Steps

After successful deployment:

1. Interact with your contract through the block explorer
2. Test different contract interactions
3. Begin integrating AI assets using Sahara's specialized features

Need help? Join our[ Discord](https://discord.gg/sahara) or email[ ](https://docs.saharalabs.ai)<support@saharalabs.ai>