> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nexus.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nexus.xyz/network/building-on-nexus/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

#### Prerequisites

* **Wallet** — MetaMask or any EVM-compatible wallet, configured for Nexus (See [Developer Environment Setup](https://docs.nexus.xyz/network/building-on-nexus/developer-environment-setup))
* **Testnet tokens** — NEX on testnet for gas ([faucet](https://faucet.nexus.xyz))
* **Toolchain** — Hardhat or Foundry

#### Quickstart: Deploy a contract on NexusEVM

**Step 1 — Create a Foundry project**

```bash
mkdir nexus-token && cd nexus-token
forge init
```

**Step 2 — Write the contract**

Replace `src/Counter.sol` with `src/NexusToken.sol`:

```solidity
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.24;

import "lib/openzeppelin-contracts/src/token/ERC20/ERC20.sol";

contract NexusToken is ERC20 {
    constructor(uint256 initialSupply) ERC20("NexusToken", "NTK") {
        _mint(msg.sender, initialSupply);
    }
}
```

Install OpenZeppelin:

```bash
forge install OpenZeppelin/openzeppelin-contracts --no-commit
```

**Step 3 — Deploy to Nexus Testnet**

```bash
forge create src/NexusToken.sol:NexusToken \
  --rpc-url https://testnet.rpc.nexus.xyz \
  --chain-id 3945 \
  --private-key $PRIVATE_KEY \
  --constructor-args 1000000000000000000000000
```

This deploys 1,000,000 NTK to your address.

**Step 4 — Read on-chain state**

Check your balance:

```bash
cast call <CONTRACT_ADDRESS> "balanceOf(address)" $YOUR_ADDRESS \
  --rpc-url https://testnet.rpc.nexus.xyz
```

Transfer tokens:

```bash
cast send <CONTRACT_ADDRESS> "transfer(address,uint256)" \
  <RECIPIENT_ADDRESS> 1000000000000000000 \
  --rpc-url https://testnet.rpc.nexus.xyz \
  --private-key $PRIVATE_KEY
```

**Step 5 — Deploy to mainnet**

When ready, switch to mainnet:

```bash
forge create src/NexusToken.sol:NexusToken \
  --rpc-url https://mainnet.rpc.nexus.xyz \
  --chain-id 3946 \
  --private-key $PRIVATE_KEY \
  --constructor-args 1000000000000000000000000
```

Finality is single-slot — the deployment is confirmed as soon as the block is committed.

#### Quickstart: Interact with the chain using cast

No project setup needed. These commands work immediately with Foundry installed.

Get the latest block number:

```bash
cast block-number --rpc-url https://mainnet.rpc.nexus.xyz
```

Read any contract's state:

```bash
cast call <CONTRACT_ADDRESS> "symbol()" --rpc-url https://mainnet.rpc.nexus.xyz
```

Check an address balance:

```bash
cast balance <ADDRESS> --rpc-url https://mainnet.rpc.nexus.xyz
```

Send a transaction:

```bash
cast send <TO_ADDRESS> --value 0.1ether \
  --rpc-url https://mainnet.rpc.nexus.xyz \
  --private-key $PRIVATE_KEY
```

All transactions confirm with single-slot finality. No need to wait for additional block confirmations.


---

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