Developer Tools Overview

Abstract

This LP serves as an index and overview of all developer-focused tools, frameworks, and infrastructure specifications in the Lux Network ecosystem. It provides developers with a comprehensive guide to available tooling and their respective specifications.

Motivation

As the Lux ecosystem grows, developers need a centralized reference point to discover and understand the various tools available for building on Lux. This LP consolidates all developer-related specifications into a single, easily navigable document.

Developer Tool Categories

1. Testing and Development Infrastructure

LP-6: Network Runner & Testing Framework

• Status: Draft
• Purpose: Provides a standardized framework for running local Lux networks for development and testing
• Key Features:
  • Local network simulation
  • Automated testing infrastructure
  • Multi-chain testing support
  • Performance benchmarking tools

2. Virtual Machine Development

LP-7: VM SDK Specification

• Status: Draft
• Purpose: Software Development Kit for creating custom Virtual Machines on Lux
• Key Features:
  • VM interface standardization
  • Language-agnostic VM development
  • State management abstractions
  • Consensus integration helpers

3. Plugin Architecture

LP-8: Plugin Architecture

• Status: Draft
• Purpose: Extensible plugin system for Lux nodes
• Key Features:
  • Dynamic plugin loading
  • API standardization
  • Security sandboxing
  • Resource management

4. Command Line Interface

LP-9: CLI Tool Specification

• Status: Draft
• Purpose: Comprehensive command-line interface for Lux operations
• Key Features:
  • Node management commands
  • Wallet operations
  • Network diagnostics
  • Development utilities

Getting Started

For New Developers

1. Set Up Development Environment

   • Install the CLI tool (LP-9)
   • Set up Network Runner (LP-6)
   • Configure your development environment

2. Choose Your Development Path

   • Building dApps: Focus on existing chains (C-Chain, X-Chain)
   • Creating Custom VMs: Study the VM SDK (LP-7)
   • Extending Node Functionality: Review Plugin Architecture (LP-8)

3. Testing Your Application

   • Use Network Runner for local testing
   • Leverage the testing framework for automated tests
   • Deploy to testnet before mainnet

For Tool Developers

If you're building developer tools for the Lux ecosystem:

1. Review existing tool specifications to avoid duplication
2. Ensure compatibility with established interfaces
3. Consider proposing new LPs for significant new tools
4. Integrate with existing infrastructure where possible

Best Practices

Tool Selection

• Use official Lux tools when available
• Prefer tools with "Final" status for production
• Check tool compatibility with your target Lux version

Development Workflow

1. Local development with Network Runner
2. Unit testing with the testing framework
3. Integration testing on testnet
4. Performance testing before mainnet deployment

Security Considerations

• Always use the latest tool versions
• Follow security guidelines in each tool's documentation
• Audit custom plugins and VMs before deployment
• Use secure key management practices

Future Roadmap

Planned Enhancements

• IDE integrations (VS Code, IntelliJ)
• Enhanced debugging tools
• Performance profiling suite
• Automated deployment pipelines

Community Contributions

• Tool developers are encouraged to propose new LPs
• Improvements to existing tools should be discussed in respective LP discussions
• Security vulnerabilities should be reported through proper channels

Related Specifications

Core Infrastructure

• LP-0: Lux Network Architecture
• LP-1: Lux Consensus
• LP-2: Lux Virtual Machine

Token Standards

• LP-20: LRC-20 Token Standard
• LP-721: LRC-721 NFT Standard

Implementation

Current Status

All developer tools referenced in this LP are implemented and actively maintained in the Lux Network repository.

Tool Locations

CLI Tool (LP-9)

Repository: ~/work/lux/cli/

• Binary: cli/cli (Go executable)
• Commands: Network management, wallet operations, staking, debugging
• Status: Production ready
• Package: github.com/luxfi/cli

Network Runner & Testing Framework (LP-6)

Repository: ~/work/lux/netrunner/

• Package: github.com/luxfi/netrunner/local
• Key Component: NewDefaultNetwork() - Multi-node test network creation
• Features: 5-node clusters, chainable assertions, cleanup utilities
• Status: Production tested

VM SDK (LP-7)

Repository: ~/work/lux/vmsdk/

• Package: github.com/luxfi/vmsdk
• Interfaces: VM, Factory, Manager
• Status: SDK with multiple implementations available

Plugin Architecture (LP-8)

Repository: ~/work/lux/node/plugin/

• Path: ~/work/lux/node/plugin/
• Interfaces: Plugin registry, lifecycle management
• Status: Available for custom extensions

SDK Implementations

TypeScript/JavaScript SDK

Repository: ~/work/lux/js-sdk/

• Path: js-sdk/sdk/
• Features: RPC client, wallet integration, contract interaction
• Status: Production ready

Python SDK

Repository: ~/work/lux/python-sdk/

• Features: Full REST API coverage
• Status: Production ready

Go SDK

Repository: ~/work/lux/universe/go-sdk/

• Features: Low-level protocol access
• Status: Production ready

Exchange SDK

Repository: ~/work/lux/exchange-sdk/

• Features: DEX and trading integration
• Status: Production ready

Testing Infrastructure

Netrunner SDK

Repository: ~/work/lux/netrunner-sdk/

• Purpose: Programmatic network testing and simulation
• Usage: Load testing, chaos testing, performance validation

Test Utilities

Locations:

• ~/work/lux/consensus/ - Consensus testing utilities
• ~/work/lux/database/ - Database integration tests
• ~/work/lux/crypto/ - Cryptographic test vectors

API Documentation

RPC API Reference

Location: ~/work/lux/cli/docs/

• JSON-RPC 2.0 specification
• 40+ endpoint documentation
• Example requests and responses

WebSocket API

Location: ~/work/lux/cli/docs/

• Real-time subscription support
• Event streaming specifications

Example Projects

Sample Applications

Location: ~/work/lux/examples/

• Smart contract interaction examples
• Multi-chain dApp examples
• Custom VM examples

Quality Assurance

All tools undergo:

• Unit testing (Go test framework)
• Integration testing (Netrunner)
• Performance testing (Benchmarking suites)
• Security audits (Regular code reviews)

Deployment

Tools available via:

1. Binary releases: GitHub releases with checksums
2. Docker images: Container deployments
3. Source compilation: make build in each repository
4. Package managers: Homebrew, npm, pip (where applicable)

Support and Resources

Documentation

• Official Lux documentation: docs.lux.network
• Tool-specific guides in respective repositories

Community

• Developer Discord: discord.gg/lux
• GitHub Discussions: github.com/luxfi/lps/discussions

Copyright

Copyright and related rights waived via CC0.

Specification

Normative definitions for data structures, processes, and parameters in this LP MUST be followed for compatibility across Lux components.

Rationale

Chosen trade‑offs maximize maintainability and safety while delivering the intended functionality.

Backwards Compatibility

Additive changes only; existing pathways continue to work. Migration is optional and incremental.

Security Considerations

Apply common security controls, validate inputs, and ensure cryptographic operations are implemented with constant‑time and side‑channel‑safe practices where applicable.