A Developer’s Guide On Remix Desktop with VSCode for Web3 Development
The journey of web3 development is dynamic, driven by rapid advancements and innovations in development tools. The Remix IDE stands out with its user-friendly design and extensive feature set, becoming indispensable for developers of all levels. Remix Desktop further streamlines the development process combining features of Remix and VSCode offering stability and efficiency for enhanced development experience.
Now, BuildBear Sandbox takes smart contract deployment to the next level with easy local blockchain setup, solving public testnet challenges by offering unlimited tokens and robust testing suites. This article delves into how to leverage Remix and the BuildBear VS Code extension, optimizing the web3 development workflow for developers.
Why Use Remix Desktop Over the In-Browser Version?
Let us first understand the benefits of using Remix Desktop over the in-browser version for web3 application development:
Unified Workflow
Remix Desktop's integration with Visual Studio Code allows developers to create a split-screen setup with real-time syncing. This unified workflow enables developers to compile and debug smart contracts directly from Remix while simultaneously working in their preferred hardhat or foundry framework in VS Code.
Version Control and Workspace Size Limitations
It handles version control like any other desktop IDE, with the workspace size limited only by your computer's hard drive. This flexibility in workspace size enables developers to work on projects of any scale without constraints.
Deployment and Testing
Remix Desktop cannot use browser wallets like MetaMask, instead, we can use the Wallet Connect plugin for deploying to public chains. It can be connected to public networks using BuildBear's RPCs via VS Code extension for a seamless development experience.
User Experience and Convenience
It offers a more stable and integrated development environment, free from the limitations of browser-based applications. This improves the overall user experience and streamlines the development workflow.
Download and Installing Remix Desktop
Download the Remix Desktop Insider version from here for your operating system. It supports Linux, Windows, and macOS platforms allowing developers to work locally with their preferred operating systems. For Windows and macOS users, this is as simple as double-clicking the new file and following along with the few steps involved. For GNU/Linux users that picked the .deb file, you’ll need to run dpkg -i <file name> in your terminal with sudo privileges to fully install it. After Installation, start the application by locating the it from menu or taskbar.
Setting Up Your Workspace in Remix Desktop
In Remix Desktop, you can select a folder from the Open Folder button to make it the active folder in the File Explorer's workspace. In the workspace option, you can either create a new project or clone an existing repository. Follow the steps below:
- Create a new project folder anywhere on your computer
- Click the 'hamburger button' for workspace actions to create a new project. We will clone the Solady repository for demonstration. It is a collection of Gas-optimized Solidity snippets.
- After some time, a new Remix window opens with all files and folders in the repository
We can compile and deploy contracts using the BuildBear Remix Plugin. If you are new refer to this guide on the Plugin.
- Now we can also use VS Code parallel for development by just running
code .the terminal. - Deploy contract using BuildBear VS Code Extension
Install the BuildBear VS Code extension for deploying contracts instantly on a private environment for EVM and EVM-compatible blockchain network with unlimited tokens, integrated explorer, and transaction tracer. You can find a more detailed guide about the extension here.
Make sure to get native tokens from the faucet to execute blockchain transactions. This step is essential for deploying and interacting with smart contracts.
- Navigate to BuildBear Explorer to see the transaction details.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Remix Desktop version offers a comprehensive solution for web3 development by seamlessly integrating with local file systems, supporting multiple instances, and providing real-time synchronization with VSCode. The BuildBear VS Code extension complements this by offering a private environment for compiling, deploying, and interacting with smart contracts. Together, these tools create a unified workflow that combines the best features of Remix IDE and VSCode, resulting in streamlined web3 development, enhanced productivity, and an improved user experience.
About BuilBear:
BuildBear is a platform tailored for DApp development and testing. Developers gain the freedom to construct a personalized Private Testnet sandbox across a variety of blockchain networks. The liberty to mint unlimited Native and ERC20 tokens, coupled with rapid transaction times on BuildBear (under 3 seconds!), enhances the DApp development lifecycle manifold. The platform comes equipped with tools and plugins designed for real-time testing and debugging, ensuring developers can keep tabs on intricate blockchain transactions with unparalleled ease.