If you know typescript, it’s easy to add the ability to create, mint, and manage non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to your app. The Infura NFT SDK wraps REST calls to Ethereum nodes, abstracting away the technical compilations and making it possible to work with NFTs with just an Infura account, some configuration, and a few lines of code. The Infura NFT SDK also doesn’t require the overhead of learning Solidity, importing ABIs, etc. Whether you are new to web3 or highly experienced, Infura NFT SDK makes NFTs easy.
Let’s jump in, build, and deploy an ERC721 NFT to see how it works.
What is the Infura NFT SDK?
The Infura NFT SDK is an SDK that allows you to build and interact with NFTs easily. It’s implemented in TypeScript, a programming language that is a strict superset of JavaScript. The SDK includes the ability to create, mint, and manage NFTs and query information about them.
The significant part is that it abstracts away the technical details so you can focus on the core functionality of your dApp instead of the (often difficult) details. It’s all about ease of use with Infura SDKs!
Supported chains include:
Write
Read
By using the Infura NFT SDK, you also get access to Infura's core functionality and infrastructure, which provides access to Ethereum (and other blockchains) without requiring you to run a full node. With the SDK, you can leverage many capabilities, making it easier to build and scale your dApps.
So let’s build an NFT and see what the SDK can do.
Building and Deploying ERC721 NFT
We will build a dApp and smart contract on Ethereum and use the SDK to create a new NFT. We’ll do all this on the Ethereum Goerli testnet, so we don’t have to worry about defects or the cost of deploying to the mainnet.
Prerequisite
Before getting started, you need the following prerequisites:
- Node.js and its package manager NPM. Verify you have Node.js installed by using the following terminal command: node -v && npm -v
Infura
The Infura NFT SDK is really simple to use. In fact, most of this tutorial is just the setup and configuration needed to create a dApp. Let’s start by logging in to your Infura account. You should be on your dashboard, where you can create a new key, as shown below. We’ll create a new key for this project.
Click the “Create a New Key” button and fill in the required information.
After creating your key, your project ID will be visible on your dashboard under the API KEY section, as shown below. Copy and keep it somewhere; you’ll need it later in this tutorial.
Set up IPFS project on Infura Dashboard
Now, let’s create an IPFS project. IPFS is a P2P distributed file system for storing and accessing files (and other data). It works well with blockchain. We’ll need IPFS (and these credentials) to upload and store the metadata of our NFT project.
Head to your dashboard and create another new key by clicking “Create a Key”, as shown below.
This time we’ll choose IPFS as the network. This project will work on the mainnet and (what we will use it for) testnet.
After creating your key, you’ll see your project ID and API key secret under the API KEY section of your dashboard. You’ll need this later as well, so copy it and keep it somewhere safe.
Project Setup and Installation
Next, we’ll set up and initialize a node.js Typescript project. Use the following commands in your console:
mkdir typescript-nft-demo && cd typescript-nft-demo
npm init -y
npm install -D typescript ts-node
npx tsc --init
Open the project in your preferred development environment. For example, if you are using Visual Studio Code, use the following command to open the project automatically:
code .
Install the Project Libraries
Next, we need to install the Infura SDK and dotenv library for reading the environment variables.
Use the following command:
npm install @infura/sdk dotenv
Your project should have something similar to what is shown below:
Create a .env file at your project's root and add the following variables to it:
INFURA_PROJECT_ID=<YOUR-INFURA-PROJECT-ID>
INFURA_PROJECT_SECRET=<YOUR-INFURA-PROJECT-API-KEY>
WALLET_PRIVATE_KEY=<YOUR-WALLET-MNEMONIC/PRIVATE-KEY>
EVM_RPC_URL=https://goerli.infura.io/v3/<YOUR-PROJECT-API-KEY>
INFURA_IPFS_PROJECT_ID=<YOUR-INFURA-IPFS-PROJECT-ID>
INFURA_IPFS_PROJECT_SECRET=<YOUR-INFURA-IPFS-PROJECT-SECRET-KEY>
WALLET_PUBLIC_ADDRESS=<YOUR-WALLET-ADDRESS>
Replace <YOUR-INFURA-PROJECT-ID> and <YOUR-INFURA-PROJECT-API-KEY> with the ID and API key from the Infura project created earlier in this tutorial.
Replace <YOUR-INFURA-IPFS-PROJECT-ID> and <YOUR-INFURA-IPFS-PROJECT-SECRET-KEY> with the ID and API key from the IPFS project created earlier in this tutorial.
On the line starting with EVM_RPC_URL, replace <YOUR-PROJECT-API-KEY> with your Infura API key.
<YOUR-WALLET-ADDRESS> should be replaced with your public blockchain address.
<YOUR-WALLET-MNEMONIC/PRIVATE-KEY> is your wallet's private key. Note: Never share your private keys (mnemonic) with anyone, and keep them secure.
You can find your wallet address and private key to your wallet on MetaMask in the following steps:
- Open MetaMask by clicking on the browser extension icon or visiting the MetaMask website.
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the MetaMask window.
- Select “Account Details” from the drop-down menu, and click on the “Export Private Key” button.
A pop-up window will appear, asking you to enter your password. Enter your password and click on the “Unlock” button.
Once your account is unlocked, you can see your private key.
Remember: keep your private key safe and never share your private key with anyone else. Also, be sure you're connected to the Goerli testnet, not the mainnet, as shown in the image below.
Now that we’ve successfully configured our project, create a new TypeScript file nft.ts at the root level.
Your project structure should look similar to the one below.
Setup Infura Authentication
Authentication from inside our dApp requires our PROJECT_ID and PROJECT_SECRET. We’ll load these from our new .env file.
Create an auth object inside the nft.ts using the following code snippet:
import { config as loadEnv } from "dotenv";
import { SDK, Auth, Metadata, TEMPLATES } from "@infura/sdk";
loadEnv();
const auth = new Auth({
projectId: process.env.INFURA_PROJECT_ID,
secretId: process.env.INFURA_PROJECT_SECRET,
privateKey: process.env.WALLET_PRIVATE_KEY,
rpcUrl: process.env.EVM_RPC_URL,
chainId: 5,
ipfs: {
projectId: process.env.INFURA_IPFS_PROJECT_ID,
apiKeySecret: process.env.INFURA_IPFS_PROJECT_SECRET,
},
});
const sdk = new SDK(auth);
Configure the tsconfig.json file as shown. (You might get an error but keep going.) tsconfig.json is a configuration file for TypeScript projects. It’s used to specify the compiler options and files that should be included in the project.
Configure your tsconfig.json with the following code snippet:
{
"compilerOptions": {
"target": "ESNext",
"module": "ES2022",
"moduleResolution": "node",
"esModuleInterop": true,
"forceConsistentCasingInFileNames": true,
"strict": true,
"skipLibCheck": true
}
}
Next, add the type module to the package.json file using the following code snippet:
"type": "module",
"scripts": {},
Now we’re done configuring. Let’s get to the exciting stuff!
First, we’ll create the token metadata.
Token metadata refers to additional information or data associated with a token (typically an ERC-721 or ERC-1155 token on the Ethereum blockchain). This metadata can include information such as the token's name, symbol, image, and other attributes that describe the token or give it context.
The metadata is stored on the blockchain and is typically represented as a URI or a URL that points to a JSON file containing the metadata.
Inside the nft.ts file, add the following code snippet. It will create and store the token metadata. The metadata class is from the Infura NFT SDK.
(Note: The consensys.net external_url is just for demo purposes here and can be replaced.)
const tokenMetadata = Metadata.openSeaTokenLevelStandard({
description: "Fantastic creature of different emojis",
external_url: "https://consensys.net/",
image: await sdk.storeFile({
metadata: "https://res.cloudinary.com/olanetsoft/image/upload/c_pad,b_auto:predominant,fl_preserve_transparency/v1672327921/demo.jpg",
}),
name: "Kandy Jane",
attributes: [],
});
console.log("Token Metadata: ", tokenMetadata);
const storeTokenMetadata = await sdk.storeMetadata({ metadata: tokenMetadata });
console.log("Store Token Metadata: ", storeTokenMetadata);
Contract metadata refers to additional information or data associated with a smart contract on a blockchain network. This metadata can include information such as the contract's name, symbol, version, and other attributes that describe the contract or give it context.
The metadata is stored on the blockchain and is typically represented as a URI or a URL that points to a JSON file containing the metadata.
Create contract metadata using the following code snippet:
const collectionMetadata = Metadata.openSeaCollectionLevelStandard({
name: "Emojis collection",
description:
"A small digital image or icon used to express an idea or emotion in electronic communication. Emoji's come in many forms, such as smiley faces, animals, food, and activities. ",
image: await sdk.storeFile({
metadata:
"https://res.cloudinary.com/olanetsoft/image/upload/c_pad,b_auto:predominant,fl_preserve_transparency/v1672327921/demo.jpg",
}),
external_link: "https://google.com/",
});
console.log("Collection Metadata:- ", collectionMetadata);
const storeMetadata = await sdk.storeMetadata({ metadata: collectionMetadata });
console.log("Store Metadata: ", storeMetadata);
This code snippet above creates an object collectionMetadata using the openSeaCollectionLevelStandard method from the Metadata class. The openSeaCollectionLevelStandard method creates standard collection-level metadata compatible with OpenSea, a leading marketplace for NFTs. It sets the collection's name, description, image, and external link properties; stores the metadata using the storeMetadata method; then logs it and stores it in the console for debugging.
Create a New Contract and Mint an NFT
Add the following code to create a new contract and mint an NFT using the Infura NFT SDK. Most of this functionality comes to us from our new NFT SDK!
const newContract = await sdk.deploy({
template: TEMPLATES.ERC721Mintable,
params: {
name: "1507Contract",
symbol: "EMOJI",
contractURI: storeMetadata,
},
});
console.log("Contract Address: \n", newContract.contractAddress);
const mint = await newContract.mint({
publicAddress:
process.env.WALLET_PUBLIC_ADDRESS ??
"0x510e5EA32386B7C48C4DEEAC80e86859b5e2416C",
tokenURI: storeTokenMetadata,
});
const minted = await mint.wait();
console.log("Minted: ", minted);
This code creates a new contract using the sdk.deploy method and sets the template for the contract to ERC721Mintable. Then it sets the contract's name, symbol, and contract URI. The contract address is logged for debugging.
It then mints a new NFT using the mint method from the new contract and sets the wallet's public address. If not specified, it uses the given address and then sets the token URI with the storeTokenMetadata.
Finally, it waits for the minting process to complete and logs the minted NFT to the console.
Let’s test it out!
ts-node-esm nft.ts
You should see something similar to what is shown below:
Verify Contract on Account and Goerli Etherscan
Finally, let’s verify the contract using a blockchain explorer on the Goerli Etherscan. Go to the Goerli Ethereum testnet site and paste the transaction hash from your output above (as shown below).
You should see the details.
That was easy! We successfully utilized the Infura NFT SDK to build, deploy, and mint an NFT on the Goerli testnet.
Let’s look at our new NFT from a front-end perspective using MetaMask. First, we have to import our wallet to MetaMask. Click “Import Tokens”, as shown in MetaMask. (Be sure you are connected to the Goerli Testnet as shown.)
Copy and paste the contract address to import your token on MetaMask, as shown below.
And there it is! An easy and fast way to add NFTs to your dApps. You can use the SDK now to manage the NFTs and more (see the docs for current capabilities).
Verify Minted NFT on OpenSea
We’ve successfully imported the minted NFT on MetaMask, but now let’s verify on OpenSea tesnet. Connect your wallet and view your new NFT. You should have something similar to what is shown below.
For reference, here’s the OpenSea link to the NFT created. You can find the complete code on a GitHub repository here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the new Infura NFT SDK for TypeScript is a powerful tool for developers looking to incorporate NFTs into their dApps. With its easy-to-use functions and comprehensive features, this SDK makes it simple to deploy, mint, and manage NFTs on the Ethereum blockchain. Sign up and start building!
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See you in my next blog article. Take care!!!
