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DevChain

Nethereum DevChain is a local Ethereum development chain that runs inside your application. No Docker, no external processes — just add the NuGet package and start writing tests or building your app.

Built on Chain Infrastructure (CoreChain), DevChain adds instant mining, SQLite storage, funded accounts, and full compatibility with Hardhat and Anvil development methods.

Quick Start​

dotnet add package Nethereum.DevChain
using Nethereum.DevChain;
using Nethereum.Web3.Accounts;

var account = new Account("0xb5b1870957d373ef0eeffecc6e4812c0fd08f554b37b233526acc331bf1544f7");
var devChain = new DevChainNode();
await devChain.StartAsync(account);         // Pre-funds the account with 10,000 ETH
var web3 = devChain.CreateWeb3(account);    // In-process Web3 — no HTTP

// Use web3 as normal
var balance = await web3.Eth.GetBalance.SendRequestAsync(account.Address);
var receipt = await web3.Eth.GetEtherTransferService()
    .TransferEtherAndWaitForReceiptAsync("0xde0b295669a9fd93d5f28d9ec85e40f4cb697bae", 1.0m);

Transactions are mined instantly by default. CreateWeb3 wires directly to the in-process node — no HTTP overhead, no port conflicts.

Key Features​

FeatureDescription
Instant MiningAuto-mine on each transaction, or configure interval mining
Funded AccountsPre-fund with 10,000 ETH by default, or specify custom balances
SnapshotsTakeSnapshotAsync() / RevertToSnapshotAsync() for test isolation
ForkingFork mainnet or any EVM chain with ForkUrl / ForkBlockNumber
State ManipulationSetBalanceAsync, SetCodeAsync, SetNonceAsync, SetStorageAtAsync
Time Controlevm_increaseTime, evm_setNextBlockTimestamp for time-dependent contracts
Debug Tracingdebug_traceTransaction and debug_traceCall with opcode-level detail
Hardhat/Anvil CompatSame default mnemonic, same RPC methods, same chain ID (31337)
HTTP ServerExpose as HTTP endpoint for MetaMask, Foundry, ethers.js
Full EVMComplete execution up to Prague hardfork via Nethereum.EVM

Configuration Presets​

// Default: ChainId 1337, auto-mine, 10,000 ETH per account
var devChain = new DevChainNode();

// Hardhat compatible: ChainId 31337
var devChain = new DevChainNode(DevChainConfig.Hardhat);

// Anvil compatible: ChainId 31337
var devChain = new DevChainNode(DevChainConfig.Anvil);

// In-memory (no SQLite, fastest)
var devChain = DevChainNode.CreateInMemory();

Aspire Template​

Get a complete dev environment with one command:

dotnet new install Nethereum.Aspire.TemplatePack
dotnet new nethereum-devchain -n MyChain
cd MyChain/AppHost && dotnet run

This creates an Aspire-orchestrated environment with:

  • DevChain node — in-process Ethereum node with prefunded accounts
  • PostgreSQL — database for blockchain data storage
  • Blockchain indexer — crawls and stores blocks, transactions, and logs
  • Blazor explorer — web-based blockchain explorer with ABI-decoded contract interaction
  • Account abstraction bundler — ERC-4337 UserOperation bundler
  • Load test generator — automated transaction load testing

Packages​

PackageDescription
Nethereum.DevChainDevelopment chain with auto-mine, SQLite storage, and funded accounts
Nethereum.DevChain.ServerHTTP server wrapper — CLI tool and ASP.NET embedding

Guides​

GuideWhat You'll Learn
Quick StartCreate a node, fund accounts, send your first transaction
HTTP Server & CLIRun as standalone server, CLI options, connect from any language, Hardhat/Anvil migration
Testing PatternsxUnit fixtures, snapshot/revert isolation, time manipulation, contract deployment
Forking & StateFork mainnet, manipulate balances/code/storage, account impersonation
Debug & TraceTrace transactions at the opcode level, find reverts, track storage changes