For new users of Polkadot, Polkadot is a relatively complex ecosystem, which not only includes the Kusama and Polkadot networks, but also the numerous parachains in this ecosystem. Whether you are developing applications or just managing tokens, Polkadot JS is the most important toolkit for you to participate in the Polkadot network. Among them, wallet is particularly important for the management of accounts and assets. The following is a brief classification of what we will introduce:
What is Polkadot JS?: A set of tools for developers and users to interact with the Polkadot network.
Polkadot Overview: A network that connects different blockchains to work together seamlessly.
Getting Started: How to set up the Polkadot JS tooling, including the UI, extensions, and API.
Using Polkadot JS: From managing your digital wallet to building on the Polkadot network.
Security: Ensure your accounts and transactions are protected.
Troubleshooting: Tips for resolving common issues in Polkadot JS.
Polkadot is a network system composed of multiple different blockchains. It is centered on the Relay chain, and each parachain can be connected by purchasing coretime, or block space. After connecting, the parachain can share the security of the entire Polkadot network, and can also use XCM to send messages with other parachains.
Polkadot JS is essential to realizing the full potential of the Polkadot Network by providing a gateway for developers and users to navigate, build, and transact in this interconnected blockchain ecosystem. Let’s take a deep dive into how to get the most out of Polkadot JS.
What is Polkadot JS?
Polkadot JS is a toolkit for people who want to build applications or perform operations on the Polkadot network. It includes methods for making transactions and managing wallets.
Polkadot JS UI
Polkadot JS UI is designed to make it easy for you to handle digital wallets and keys. Its features are as follows:
Use a seed phrase to help you securely create and back up your account
Lets you see how much money you have and send it to others
Show your past and current transactions
Helps you with staking, a way to earn rewards for supporting the network
Polkadot JS Extension
This is a tool you add to your web browser. It allows websites to connect to your Polkadot account to read information or make transactions. The download address (https://polkadot.js.org/extension/) can also be searched in chrome extension. What is it used for:
Open your account using a saved file, seed phrase or QR code
Making and sending transactions
View your account balance and details
Share transactions with your network
This extension makes it easier to use Polkadot-compatible websites so your accounts remain safe and secure.
Polkadot JS API
This is for developers who want to build something on Polkadot. It gives them access to everything the blockchain has to offer directly from their code. Developers can use it to do things like:
Create unique transactions and understand what happens in the network
Connecting to different parts of the blockchain
Adding support for new parachains
Using Polkadot’s building blocks in their applications
APIs take care of complex blockchain communications, letting developers focus on creating cool and useful applications.
Getting Started with Polkadot JS
Installation Guide
Setting up the Polkadot JS tool is pretty straightforward. You will need to do the following:
1. Visit https://polkadot.js.org/ and select the tool you are interested in:
For UI, select “PolkadotJS Apps”
For Extensions, select "PolkadotJS Extensions"
For the API, find and click "View Documentation"
2. Follow the setup instructions provided by your chosen tool
3. If you are adding an extension, you will need to include it in your browser. For the API, you will find code samples to start the project.
That's it! Each tool also comes with helpful documentation to guide you on how to use it.
Create your first account
Here’s how to create your first account using the Polkadot JS extension:
After installing the extension, click the icon on your browser toolbar
Select "Create a new account"
Enter your password and click Next. This step ensures the security of your account.
Write down the "seed phrase" you receive and keep it in a safe place. This is essential to log back into your account if needed.
Name your account and click Save
You now have your first account! You can use your seed phrase to create more accounts, or add accounts you already have. It is very important to save your seed phrase in a safe place. This way, if you can't log into your account for some reason, you can always use this phrase to log back in, even if your computer stops working.
Using Polkadot JS UI
Navigating the UI
You can find the Polkadot JS UI online at https://polkadot.js.org/apps.
It includes several important areas:
Accounts - Here you can manage your wallet accounts, such as adding new accounts, keeping accounts safe, or checking how much money you have.
Transfer Money – This is where you can send or receive money from other people.
Staking - If you are interested in earning rewards, this section helps you participate in staking.
Network — Get a better understanding of the Polkadot network by exploring validators, chain state, and more.
Developers - If you’re building on Polkadot, you’ll find useful tools here, including managing metadata.
Settings – Adjust the portal to work the way you like it.
The sidebar menu lets you move between these features easily.
Managing the network
Click on the upper left corner, and you can see different networks. According to the directory, they can be divided into Polkadot and its connected parachains, Kusama and connected parachains, other test networks, local networks, and user-defined networks. Under each network, you can select the URL of the RPC service provider of different network nodes . If you encounter problems with access or the speed is slow, you can try to switch.
It should be noted that different chains provide different runtimes, and the transaction types, parameters, and transaction fees will be different. Pay attention to the runtime version before sending transactions or other operations.
Manage Account
To add an account you already have:
Click Account
Select "Add Account"
Select "Restore from backup"
Enter your seed phrase and create a password
Click "Restore"
To keep your account safe:
Go to the Backup section under Account
Select an account and enter your password
Download the JSON file containing the seed phrase
To change your account name:
Access Account
Click the three dots next to your account name
Select "Set up on-chain identity"
Enter a new name and click Set Identity
Send and receive funds
Sending tokens:
Go to Transfer
Select sender and receiver
Enter the amount you want to transfer
Click "Transfer" and agree to the transaction
To receive funds, simply share your account address with the sender. You can easily copy this address under Accounts. The Transfers section also displays a list of all your past transactions so you can keep track of your funds. That’s the basics of using the Polkadot JS UI Wallet! Don’t forget to explore everything the portal has to offer, from staking and governance to developer tools.
Polkadot JS Extensions
Polkadot JS extension is a tool that helps you keep your Polkadot wallet safe and secure when using it online. It is like a watchdog for your cryptocurrencies.
Phishing Protection
One cool feature is that it helps protect you from malicious websites that will try to trick you into giving up your money or personal information. It checks the website you're visiting against a list of known malicious sites, and it warns you if something is wrong. To enable this security feature, just go into the extension's settings and make sure the option to block dangerous websites is enabled. This means the extension will always be on guard, adding an extra layer of security on top of what your web browser already does.
The following is a request that pops up in the browser when a website needs to access the wallet. If you encounter a malicious website or the source of the website is unclear, you can directly reject the connection.
Account backup and restore
Backing up your account is extremely important. If something goes wrong, like you lose your computer or forget your password, a backup means you won't lose access to your funds. Here's how to back up your account:
1. Click on the extension icon and select the account you want to back up
2. Click "Export Account"
3. Enter your password
4. Save the downloaded file. This is a special file that contains the backup information of your account.
The most important part of this file is your seed phrase, which is in the following format. It contains 12 words, which can be used to generate our account.
Think of it as a master key that can unlock your account. Keep it safe, preferably written down on a piece of paper, in a locked drawer or safe, and don't share it with anyone. If you ever lose access and need to log back into your account, you can use this seed phrase or your backup file. Just go to the extension, click "Add Account," then "Import Account," and follow the steps to restore everything. Backing up your account is a smart thing to do. It means you have a plan in case something goes wrong.
Wallet Settings
Choice of address format
1. Click Settings
2. Select the address format drop-down list, and you can see the list of relay chains and parachains. Since each network can set its own different network prefix, the updated account address will change
Manage website access
1. Click Settings
2. You can see the list of authorized websites
3. Through it you can know the possible risks
Ledger
It can be connected to the Ledger hardware wallet and select different apps. If you use a hardware wallet, this will be very useful. All transfers will automatically call the app in the hardware, and then the hardware will be used to view the specific transaction content, sign the transaction, and finally send it to the network.
Accounts generated in Ledger can also be imported into the wallet extension. To do this, select Add Account and then select Ledger Account.
If the content displayed by the extension in normal mode is too cramped, you can choose to open the extension in a new window.
Interacting via the Polkadot JS API
The Polkadot JS API allows developers to work with the Polkadot blockchain, allowing them to look up information stored on the blockchain and send new transactions.
Query on-chain data
With the help of API, you can easily find information about the blockchain, such as account details or the amount of money in someone’s wallet. Here’s a simple way to do it:
// Import API
const { ApiPromise, WsProvider } = require('@polkadot/api');
// Create API instance
const provider = new WsProvider('wss://rpc.polkadot.io');
const api = new ApiPromise({ provider });
// Get account nonce
let nonce = await api.query.system.account(address);
You can get a lot of different information this way. APIs make this easy by connecting to the blockchain and organizing the data for you. Some key points:
Use methods like api.query.* to get things from the blockchain
Results are returned in a way that is easy to understand and use
It does not stop other things from happening while it is getting the information
This allows developers to get data directly from the blockchain.
Submit Extrinsics
The API is also great for sending transactions, such as transferring tokens from one account to another. You can do this:
// Import utilities
const { Keyring } = require('@polkadot/keyring');
const { ApiPromise, WsProvider } = require('@polkadot/api');
// Set up API instance
const provider = new WsProvider('wss://rpc.polkadot.io');
const api = new ApiPromise({ provider });
// Create key pair
const keyring = new Keyring({ type: 'sr25519' });
const alice = keyring.addFromUri('//Alice');
// Construct and submit transfer
api.tx.balances
.transferKeepAlive(recipient, 123)
.signAndSend(alice);
Here’s what you need to know:
Use methods similar to api.tx.* to perform transactions
Keyring helps you manage keys and sign
You can use specific parts of the blockchain (called modules) to conduct transactions
In this way, the API makes creating and sending transactions less complicated, helping developers focus on building their applications without being bogged down by blockchain details.
The Importance of Polkadot JS
Polkadot JS is a critical tool for anyone who wants to use the Polkadot network. It makes dealing with the complex world of blockchain simpler. Whether you are a developer looking to create something new, or someone just interested in cryptocurrency, Polkadot JS has you covered. It is essential to achieving Polkadot's dream of a user-controlled network, as it enables people to easily create, share, and manage their digital assets.
Related questions
What are the fundamentals of Polkadot?
Polkadot connects different blockchains so that they can work together. Here are some basics:
DOT tokens are used to make decisions, run the network, connect to special blockchains called parachains, and pay for transactions.
The relay chain is the main chain that helps different chains communicate and collaborate.
Parachains are unique blockchains that can send messages to each other through Polkadot.
Validators help secure the network by locking up DOTs as a form of security.
Governance is where DOT token holders vote on changes to the network.
Polkadot is designed so that different blockchain projects can benefit from being part of a larger network while still doing their own thing.
How does Polkadot-JS work?
Polkadot-JS is a tool that helps developers easily interact with the Polkadot network. It simplifies:
Automatically create a way to talk to blockchain nodes
Get data and send transactions easily using api.query: api.tx
Handles keys and accounts without developers having to worry about the details
Follow blockchain updates
Provides extensive help and examples for developers
Basically, it makes it much simpler for developers to use the Polkadot blockchain.
Can you briefly explain Polkadot?
Polkadot can be thought of as the Internet of Blockchains. It allows different blockchains to share information and transactions without the need for a middleman. And cross-chain messages and transactions are secured by the relay chain, or shared security. This means that developers can create their own blockchains but still connect with others, sharing security and the ability to communicate with each other.
Is Polkadot-JS safe?
Yes, Polkadot-JS is built with security in mind. It supports secure hardware wallets, encrypted files for storing keys, backup options like seed phrases, methods for using keys without compromising them, and checks to protect you from fake websites. While developers should always exercise caution, especially around key management and data checks, Polkadot-JS is a solid choice for building secure applications connected to Polkadot.
The 16th Substrate introductory course has started! Developers are welcome to sign up
Mastering Substrate will not only allow you to experience the technical power of Web3 industry development up close, but also take you to the forefront of Polkadot's ecological innovation. The 16th "Substrate Development Introduction and Project Practice" course jointly created by OneBlock+ and Polkadot has opened registration. The course started on November 29 (the course is free, please fill in the registration form as soon as possible)!
The video content of this course will be optimized on the basis of the original six classes, with an additional project sharing section. In addition, excellent projects in the Polkadot ecosystem will be arranged for technical sharing! The course will arrange tasks, office hour Q&A and other sections to help everyone consolidate what they have learned. Students with the highest homework scores will have 1-on-1 consultation opportunities with industry leaders . In addition to formal course learning, course instructors will occasionally output technical articles to help everyone learn new knowledge, and there will be 1-2 AMA online live broadcasts to lead everyone to gain insight into the Polkadot ecosystem and Substrate technology . Whether you hope to make a breakthrough in the blockchain field or are eager to stand out in this emerging industry, this course will be a solid step towards your success.
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