# SLP software setup

So, now that you’ve learned all the key theoretical concepts, we are set to start your journey as an SLP developer.

To make sure you start with the right foot, let’s get you set up with the main tools you’ll need along the way.

By the end of this guide, you'll have the basic software needed to be able to develop your own SLP project, and also your first programmatically created SLP token.

# Install Git

Official download -
https://git-scm.com/book/en/v2/Getting-Started-Installing-Git (opens new window)

Remember that after installing Git, you need to add C:\Program Files\Git\cmd and C:\Program Files\Git\bin (your installation path) to the system path.
(For Windows: click start menu and type Edit the system environment variable)

# Node.js and npm

In order to continue, you’ll need to install both Node.js (opens new window) and npm (opens new window).

Done? Let’s continue.

# SLPJS

For the SLP handling you’ll be using SLPJS. You can find a detailed guide on it here, but to keep things simple you should just run

#initialize the environment setup
> npm init

#install the required libraries
> npm install -g slpjs bitbox-sdk bitcore-lib-cash

Make sure everything is installed without errors.

# SLP wallet

Before moving on with the scripting, you’ll need some SLP addresses of your own to work with. If you already have some, feel free to skip these steps.

First off, let’s get you an SLP compatible wallet. This will be the place where your freshly minted SLP tokens will reside, and also where you’ll have to send the required BCH to do so. After installing the software, we will make sure to keep the SLP address and it’s WIF.

If you'd rather try things on testnet, you'll find a small comment after each section indicating the changes needed. To get testnet coins you can find several services, like the bitcoin.com Testnet BCH faucet (opens new window) or the Fullstack.cash Testnet BCH faucet (opens new window).

# Option 1: Electron Cash SLP

# GUI

Check out our Electron Cash SLP edition walkthrough (Coming soon)

# CLI

SLP wallet creation

> Electron-Cash-SLP-3.6.4.exe create_slp

Password (hit return if you do not wish to encrypt your wallet):
Your wallet type is: slp_standard
Your wallet generation seed is:
"dinner valley cattle brush moment critic diagram party crack frost tilt shock"
Please keep it in a safe place; if you lose it, you will not be able to restore your wallet.
Wallet saved in 'c:\users\<user>\appdata\roaming\electroncash\wallets\default_wallet'

List addresses in wallet

> Electron-Cash-SLP-3.6.4.exe listaddresses

[
    "qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh",
    "qr70zmq9l7fyrnu4f9nz4fzp5a80zrfppc3s3w90lf",
    "qqekzmw5tgxaqfps0f63wgjnx38q8jfv8cjlf8vzy5",
    "qz6rgncgck5qa6ez8ej7t2yqc4yt9zmanyqxs5uxxf",
    "qrlxewwqqsen2ude8alh6p50xd3tekdaqv28h3qsh7",
    "qru0k6ws0dx44699xkvw7gmxpfavj9ll4sqkqm6vge",
    ...
]

Get the private key from an address

> Electron-Cash-SLP-3.6.4.exe getprivatekeys qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh

WARNING: ALL your private keys are secret.
Exposing a single private key can compromise your entire wallet!
In particular, DO NOT use 'redeem private key' services proposed by third parties.
L1aeBNDeQ43PtFN2Jc9tbeqhNiqBgDHbxMctefHftHw4WtSo621e

As a last step, in order to send the needed BCH to the funding address, we need to make sure to use the Cash address format. For that conversion we will use the following call

> Electron-Cash-SLP-3.6.4.exe addressconvert qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh

{
    "cashaddr": "bitcoincash:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00vrgaayqsf",
    "legacy": "1ExkRUc6r128pvMkqwLGiLgfnmmdyYL6BA",
    "simpleledger": "simpleledger:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh"
}

After this, we will have generated the three necessary bits of information we need:

The WIF (private key)
L1aeBNDeQ43PtFN2Jc9tbeqhNiqBgDHbxMctefHftHw4WtSo621e

The receiving SLP address
simpleledger:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh

And the funding cashaddr format address:
bitcoincash:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00vrgaayqsf

TESTNET
For the testnet version, just add the flag --testnet in each query

# Option 2: bitcore

Bitcore is a library used by SLPJS which, aside from many other things, allows us to create and manage new addresses using many different methods, like seed based, WIF based, or without any arguments at all.

We can generate our new addresses using the following script. If you are not sure how to run it, use the same method as the balance.js and genesis.js described in the next section of the guide.

# bitcoreAddr

const bitcore = require('bitcore-lib-cash');

var privateKey = new bitcore.PrivateKey();

var publicKey = new bitcore.PublicKey(privateKey)

console.log("WIF:", privateKey.toWIF());

console.log("cashaddr:", publicKey.toAddress().toString());

Result

> npm run bitcoreAddr

> <folder>@1.0.0 bitcoreAddr C:\Users\<user>\<folder>
> node bitcoreAddr.js

WIF: Ky3QwBS8gKD2Cdu4iUe5aaqojsU8BfuT4Gf8zMT11AdsEkcN9UJj
cashaddr: bitcoincash:qp8x5ppmu4d0h2g2mgu405jkp5r4x87h7yya64tfd6

This will give us:

The WIF (private key)
Ky3QwBS8gKD2Cdu4iUe5aaqojsU8BfuT4Gf8zMT11AdsEkcN9UJj

And the funding cashaddr format address:
bitcoincash:qp8x5ppmu4d0h2g2mgu405jkp5r4x87h7yya64tfd6

Now to obtain the receiving SLP address we can use multiple different methods, like calling the Electron Cash CLI described in the previous section, or using any other resource that performs the conversion, like for example the simpleledger.info explorer (opens new window) or the bitcoin.com explorer (opens new window) which given a cashaddr format will display the corresponding simpleledger address for SLP. In this case:

Receiving SLP address
simpleledger:qp8x5ppmu4d0h2g2mgu405jkp5r4x87h7ygx3w7fny

TESTNET
For the testnet version, just add the following as the second line in the bitcoreAddr.js file

bitcore.Networks.defaultNetwork = bitcore.Networks.testnet;

# Scripts

Now that everything is set up, and we have all the information we need, we can take care of the code.

Note that for these examples, we will be using the addresses we created using the Electron Cash SLP method.

After running init, you should have a package.json file created in the same folder you have run the command. In this file you can find a section called scripts. There you can define various scripts you will be able to easily run with commands as follows

> npm run <script-name>

For this tutorial we want our scripts section to look like this. You can add more if you need them, for example if you're using the bitcore library to generate your addresses.

"scripts": {
	"balance": "node balance.js",
    	"genesis": "node genesis.js"
  },

Now we only need to create the corresponding genesis.js and balance.js files on the same folder. Let’s get on that

# balance.js

// Install BITBOX-SDK v8.1+ for blockchain access
// For more information visit: https://www.npmjs.com/package/bitbox-sdk
const BITBOXSDK = require('bitbox-sdk')
const slpjs = require('slpjs');

// FOR MAINNET UNCOMMENT
let addr = "simpleledger:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh";
const BITBOX = new BITBOXSDK.BITBOX({ restURL: 'https://rest.bitcoin.com/v2/' });

// FOR TESTNET UNCOMMENT
// let addr = "slptest:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh";
// const BITBOX = new BITBOXSDK.BITBOX({ restURL: 'https://trest.bitcoin.com/v2/' });

const bitboxNetwork = new slpjs.BitboxNetwork(BITBOX);

let balances;
(async function() {
  balances = await bitboxNetwork.getAllSlpBalancesAndUtxos(addr);
  console.log("balances: ", balances);
})();

Just switch the addr field to the address you want to check.

# genesis.js

// Install BITBOX-SDK v8.1+ for blockchain access
// For more information visit: https://www.npmjs.com/package/bitbox-sdk
const BITBOXSDK = require('bitbox-sdk')
const BigNumber = require('bignumber.js');
const slpjs = require('slpjs');

// FOR MAINNET UNCOMMENT
const BITBOX = new BITBOXSDK.BITBOX({ restURL: 'https://rest.bitcoin.com/v2/' });
const fundingAddress           = "simpleledger:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh";  // <-- must be simpleledger format
const fundingWif               = "L1aeBNDeQ43PtFN2Jc9tbeqhNiqBgDHbxMctefHftHw4WtSo621e";     // <-- compressed WIF format
const tokenReceiverAddress     = "simpleledger:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh";  // <-- must be simpleledger format
const bchChangeReceiverAddress = "simpleledger:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh";  // <-- cashAddr or slpAddr format
// For unlimited issuance provide a "batonReceiverAddress"
const batonReceiverAddress     = "simpleledger:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh";

// FOR TESTNET UNCOMMENT
// const BITBOX = new BITBOXSDK.BITBOX({ restURL: 'https://trest.bitcoin.com/v2/' });
// const fundingAddress           = "slptest:qpwyc9jnwckntlpuslg7ncmhe2n423304ueqcyw80l";
// const fundingWif               = "cVjzvdHGfQDtBEq7oddDRcpzpYuvNtPbWdi8tKQLcZae65G4zGgy";
// const tokenReceiverAddress     = "slptest:qpwyc9jnwckntlpuslg7ncmhe2n423304ueqcyw80l";
// const bchChangeReceiverAddress = "slptest:qpwyc9jnwckntlpuslg7ncmhe2n423304ueqcyw80l";
// // For unlimited issuance provide a "batonReceiverAddress"
// const batonReceiverAddress     = "slptest:qpwyc9jnwckntlpuslg7ncmhe2n423304ueqcyw80l";

const bitboxNetwork = new slpjs.BitboxNetwork(BITBOX);


// 1) Select decimal precision for this new token
let decimals = 2;
let name = "My first awesome SLPJS Token";
let ticker = "SLPJS";
let documentUri = "info@simpleledger.io";
let documentHash = null
let initialTokenQty = 1000000

let genesisTxid;

// 2) Calculate the token quantity with decimal precision included
initialTokenQty = (new BigNumber(initialTokenQty)).times(10**decimals);


// 3) Get all balances at the funding address.
let balances; 
(async function() {
  balances = await bitboxNetwork.getAllSlpBalancesAndUtxos(fundingAddress);
  console.log("'balances' variable is set.");
  console.log('BCH balance:', balances.satoshis_available_bch);

// 4) Set private keys
  balances.nonSlpUtxos.forEach(txo => txo.wif = fundingWif)
  
// 5) Use "simpleTokenGenesis()" helper method
  genesisTxid = await bitboxNetwork.simpleTokenGenesis(
        name, 
        ticker, 
        initialTokenQty,
        documentUri,
        documentHash,
        decimals,
        tokenReceiverAddress,
        batonReceiverAddress,
        bchChangeReceiverAddress,
        balances.nonSlpUtxos
        )
    console.log("GENESIS txn complete:",genesisTxid)
})();

Here you’ll want to make sure to change the fundingAddress, fundingWif, tokenReceiverAddress, bchChangeReceiverAddress and batonReceiverAddress in the script to the ones you obtained in the previous steps. Also, remember to send a small amount of BCH to the funding address. Keep in mind that if you choose to send the funds using a non-SLP compatible wallet, you'll need to use the cashAddr format address. Some cents will be enough.

Also, here you can edit the parameters of the new token. Feel free to change the decimals, name, ticker, documentUri, documentHash and initialTokenQty to match the desired specifications of your token. Or just leave the defaults for testing purposes.

TESTNET
For the testnet version, both scripts include MAINNET and TESTNET blocks you can comment/uncomment

# Run

Now we are ready to finally test our scripts. Lets begin with balance

> npm run balance

This will return all the balances and UTXOs associated with the address provided in the script

balances:  {
  satoshis_available_bch: 86546,
  satoshis_in_slp_baton: 0,
  satoshis_in_slp_token: 0,
  satoshis_in_invalid_token_dag: 0,
  satoshis_in_invalid_baton_dag: 0,
  satoshis_in_unknown_token_type: 0,
  slpTokenBalances: {},
  nftParentChildBalances: {},
  slpTokenUtxos: {},
  slpBatonUtxos: {},
  nonSlpUtxos: [
    {
      satoshis: 86546,
      txid: '6f51b4d203c3998c5012cebfd375f69407d3e52a5468540efdc7ab99db8955cc',
      amount: 0.00086546,
      confirmations: 0,
      height: undefined,
      vout: 0,
      cashAddress: 'bitcoincash:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00vrgaayqsf',
      legacyAddress: '1ExkRUc6r128pvMkqwLGiLgfnmmdyYL6BA',
      slpAddress: 'simpleledger:qzvjfs5tuw56est4mwtzw3fegucgdwr00v0nkx3qwh',
      scriptPubKey: '76a9149924c28be3a9acc175db96274539473086b86f7b88ac',
      tx: [Object],
      slpUtxoJudgement: 'NOT_SLP'
    }
  ],
  invalidTokenUtxos: [],
  invalidBatonUtxos: [],
  unknownTokenTypeUtxos: []
}

The most relevant bit of information at the moment is the satoshis_available_bch: 86546 where you can confirm your address is properly funded.

Now let’s go ahead and run genesis

> npm run genesis

Which returns

'balances' variable is set.
BCH balance: 86546
GENESIS txn complete: a17054f4cdb99fca43ad8ae218fd55c53814c02c450fb540a263edab5f1ac527

Try checking the transaction on your favourite SLP explorer, like simpleledger.info (opens new window), and you’ll find the info on your newly minted token. Plus the tokens will be waiting for you in your SLP wallet.

Now that you have completed your first steps in the SLP world, you can start imagining what your future project will look like.