Getting Started¶
Welcome to Switchboard! This section will help you get up and running with cross-chain development.
Overview¶
Switchboard provides two main ways to interact with the platform:
- CLI (Command Line Interface) - Best for quick deployments and project management
- SDK (Software Development Kit) - Best for programmatic integration into your applications
What You'll Learn¶
- Quick Start - Get up and running in 5 minutes
- Installation - Detailed installation options
- First Deployment - Deploy your first cross-chain application
Prerequisites¶
Before you begin, ensure you have:
- Node.js 18+ and npm installed
- Git for version control
- 8GB+ RAM recommended for development
- Basic understanding of blockchain concepts
Development vs Production Mode¶
Switchboard provides two distinct modes:
| Mode | Networks | Cost | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development | Testnets (Sepolia, Mumbai, Fuji) | Free (test tokens) | Development, testing, prototyping |
| Production | Mainnets (Ethereum, Polygon, etc.) | Real transaction fees | Live deployments |
Start with Development Mode
Always start with --dev-mode to test on testnets before deploying to production.
Next Steps¶
Ready to begin? Start with the Quick Start Guide to deploy your first cross-chain application in under 5 minutes.