# Developer FAQs

Welcome to the **Somnia Network Developer FAQ**! This guide is designed for developers building on Somnia's high-performance EVM-compatible blockchain. It covers environment setup, smart contract development, network configuration, APIs, optimization, testing, advanced features, troubleshooting, and resources.

***

## Development Environment Setup

#### Getting Started

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: What development tools are compatible with Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: Somnia is fully EVM-compatible, so you can use all standard EVM development tools:

* **Hardhat**: Most popular framework for smart contract development
* **Foundry**: Fast, portable toolkit written in Rust
* **Remix IDE**: Browser-based development environment
* **Truffle**: Comprehensive development suite
* **Brownie**: Python-based development framework

Simply configure these tools to connect to Somnia's network endpoints.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: How do I configure my development environment for Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: Add Somnia network configuration to your project.

For Hardhat ([hardhat.config.js](https://docs.somnia.network/developer/how-to-guides/basics/deploy-and-verify-a-smart-contract-on-somnia-using-hardhat)):

For Foundry ([foundry.toml](https://docs.somnia.network/developer/how-to-guides/basics/deploy-a-smart-contract-on-somnia-testnet-using-foundry)):

</details>

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**How do I get test tokens for development?**

To obtain **Somnia Test Tokens (STT)** for development:

1. Discord Method:
   * Join the Somnia Discord server
   * Go to the #dev-chat channel
   * Tag @emreyeth (Somnia DevRel)
   * Request test tokens with your wallet address
2. Email Method:
   * Email <developers@somnia.foundation>
   * Include your project description and GitHub profile
   * Provide your testnet wallet address\\
3. Google cloud web3 faucet [here](https://cloud.google.com/application/web3/faucet/somnia/shannon)
4. Telegram Method:
   * Join the [Somnia Developer Telegram](https://t.me/+s_oRMnGpOyQ3ODQ0) channel.
   * Tag @emreyeth (Somnia DevRel)
   * Request test tokens with your wallet address<br>
     {% endstep %}
     {% endstepper %}

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: What are the network parameters for Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: Key network information:

Testnet:

* **Chain ID**: 50312
* **RPC URL**: <https://dream-rpc.somnia.network>
* **Block Explorer**: <https://shannon-explorer.somnia.network/>
* **Currency**: STT (Somnia Test Token)

Mainnet:

* **Chain ID**: 5031
* **RPC URL**: <https://api.infra.mainnet.somnia.network>
* **Block Explorer**: <https://explorer.somnia.network/>
* **Currency**: SOMI (Somnia Token)

Alternatively you can check out <https://chainlist.org/> for other RPC options.

</details>

***

## Smart Contract Development

#### Contract Deployment

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: How do I deploy smart contracts to Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: Deployment process is identical to EVM, you can deploy with:

* Hardhat
* Foundry
* Remix

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: Are there any differences in smart contract development for Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: Somnia is fully EVM-compatible, so:

* All Solidity features work identically
* Same gas mechanics and opcodes
* Compatible with OpenZeppelin libraries
* Standard deployment tools work
* Bonus: Much lower gas costs and faster execution

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: How do I verify contracts on Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: Contract verification process:

1. Via Block Explorer: Use the verification tab on Somnia Explorer
2. Via API Verification [here](https://thecrossangle.notion.site/Somnia-Explorer-Smart-Contract-Verification-2622a5298c5f80f79611db3071989e19)

</details>

#### Gas Optimization

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: How do gas fees work on Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: Somnia uses a dynamic gas fee model:

* Payment Token: Fees are paid in **SOMI** tokens on Mainnet and STT on Testnet
* Base Fee: Dynamically adjusted based on block execution time
* Minimum Gas: 21,000 gas for basic transactions
* Validator Rewards: 50% of gas fees go to validators
* Volume Discounts: Available for high-volume applications

Tip: Gas costs are significantly lower than Ethereum mainnet due to Somnia's optimized architecture, you can check out more on somnia gas model[ here](https://docs.somnia.network/developer/somnia-gas-differences-to-ethereum).

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: Should I optimize for gas on Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: While gas optimization is still good practice:

* Less Critical: Lower fees mean less pressure for extreme optimization
* Focus on Features: More room for feature-rich applications
* User Experience: Better UX with lower transaction costs
* Standard Practices: Still follow Solidity best practices

</details>

***

## Network Configuration

#### RPC Providers

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: What RPC providers are available for Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: Multiple RPC providers support Somnia:

Primary Providers:

* **Ankr**: Enterprise-grade RPC infrastructure
* **Stakely**: High-performance RPC services
* **Official**: Somnia's native RPC endpoints

Configuration example:

```javascript
// Multiple RPC endpoints for redundancy
const rpcUrls = [
  "https://somnia-json-rpc.stakely.io",
  "https://api.infra.mainnet.somnia.network",
  "https://somnia-rpc.publicnode.com"
];
```

Check out [chainlist](https://chainlist.org/) for more RPC Endpoints

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: How do I configure MetaMask for Somnia?</strong></summary>

* This guide helps configure metamask for [Somnia Netwrok](https://docs.somnia.network/get-started/connect-your-wallet-to-mainnet)

</details>

***

## APIs and Integration

#### JSON-RPC APIs

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: What APIs does Somnia support?</strong></summary>

A: Somnia supports standard EVM JSON-RPC APIs:

Core Methods:

* **eth\_**\* methods: Used for blockchain-related operations, such as querying data, sending transactions, or interacting with smart contracts.
* **net\_**\* methods: Provide information about the network, such as its status or connected peers.
* **web3\_**\* methods: Offer details about the client, such as version or configuration.
* **debug\_**\* methods: Enable debugging features on supported nodes, often used for troubleshooting or advanced analysis.

For a complete method reference, see the [JSON-RPC API documentation](/developer/json-rpc-api.md).

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: Are there any API rate limits?</strong></summary>

* High Performance: Designed for enterprise-level usage
* Standard Limits: Follow typical JSON-RPC conventions

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: How do I integrate Somnia with my existing dApp?</strong></summary>

A: Integration is straightforward due to EVM compatibility.

Follow the viem setup on the [`docs`](https://docs.somnia.network/developer/how-to-guides/intermediate/how-to-connect-to-somnia-network-via-viem-library#how-to-use-viem)

</details>

***

## Performance and Optimization

#### Somnia's Architecture

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: What makes Somnia so fast?</strong></summary>

A: Somnia achieves 1M+ TPS through four key innovations:

1. Accelerated Sequential Execution: Compiled EVM bytecode translates to highly optimized native code.
2. IceDB: Ultra-fast database with 15-100 nanosecond read/write operations and built-in snapshotting.
3. MultiStream Consensus: Proof-of-stake BFT protocol that decouples data production from consensus, enabling parallel processing.
4. Advanced Compression: Streaming compression and BLS signature aggregation for high compression ratios.

Learn more [here.](https://docs.somnia.network/concepts/somnia-blockchain/overview)

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: What are the performance details I should be aware of?</strong></summary>

* TPS Capacity: 1,000,000+ transactions per second
* Finality Time: Sub-second transaction finality
* DEX Performance: 1 million swaps per second
* Concurrent Users: Designed for millions of users
* Block Time: Optimized for real-time applications

</details>

***

## Testing and Deployment

#### Testing Strategies

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: How do I test my contracts on Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: Use standard testing frameworks with Somnia configuration.

Hardhat Testing:

```javascript
// test/Contract.test.js
const { expect } = require("chai");
const { ethers } = require("hardhat");

describe("Contract", function () {
  let contract;
  
  beforeEach(async function () {
    const Contract = await ethers.getContractFactory("YourContract");
    contract = await Contract.deploy();
    await contract.deployed();
  });
  
  it("Should work on Somnia", async function () {
    // Test your contract logic
    expect(await contract.someFunction()).to.equal(expectedValue);
  });
});
```

Foundry Testing:

```solidity
// test/Contract.t.sol
pragma solidity ^0.8.0;

import "forge-std/Test.sol";
import "../src/Contract.sol";

contract ContractTest is Test {
    Contract public contractInstance;
    
    function setUp() public {
        contractInstance = new Contract();
    }
    
    function testSomniaCompatibility() public {
        // Test contract functionality
        assertEq(contractInstance.getValue(), expectedValue);
    }
}
```

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: What should I test specifically for Somnia?</strong></summary>

A: Focus on these areas:

* Gas Usage: Verify lower gas consumption
* Performance: Test high-frequency operations
* Real-time Features: Validate sub-second finality
* Batch Operations: Test transaction batching
* Event Emission: Verify real-time event handling

</details>

#### Common Error Messages

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: What do common error messages mean?</strong></summary>

Common errors and solutions:

Insufficient funds for gas

* Solution: Add SOMI tokens to your wallet
* Check: Verify gas price and limit settings

Execution reverted

* Solution: Check contract conditions and requirements
* Debug: Use transaction simulation tools

Network error

* Solution: Verify RPC endpoint and internet connection
* Fallback: Try alternative RPC providers

</details>

***

## Resources and Support

#### Documentation and Guides

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: Where can I find comprehensive documentation?</strong></summary>

A: Official resources:

* Main Documentation[ here](https://docs.somnia.network/)
* GitHub: Official repositories and code examples

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: How do I get developer support?</strong></summary>

A: Multiple support channels:

Discord Community:

* Join the official Somnia [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/somnia)
* \#dev-chat channel for technical discussions
* Real-time support from community and team

Email Support:

* <developers@somnia.network>
* Include project details and specific questions
* Response within 24-48 hours

GitHub Issues:

* Report bugs and feature requests
* Contribute to open-source tools
* Community-driven solutions

</details>

#### Learning Resources

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: What learning resources are available for Somnia development?</strong></summary>

A: Educational materials:

Tutorials:

* Smart contract deployment [guides](https://docs.somnia.network/developer/how-to-guides)
* dApp integration examples
* Performance optimization tutorials
* Real-time application development

Code Examples:

* GitHub repositories with sample projects
* Integration templates for popular frameworks
* Best practice implementations

Community Content:

* Developer blog posts
* Video tutorials
* Workshop recordings
* Conference presentations

</details>

#### Contributing to the Ecosystem

<details>

<summary><strong>Q: How can I contribute to Somnia's developer ecosystem?</strong></summary>

A: Ways to contribute:

Build Applications:

* Create innovative dApps leveraging Somnia's performance
* Open-source your projects for community benefit
* Share integration patterns and best practices

Community Participation:

* Answer questions in Discord
* Write tutorials and guides
* Speak at developer events
* Mentor new developers

Technical Contributions:

* Contribute to open-source tools
* Report and fix bugs
* Improve documentation
* Create developer tooling

Feedback and Testing:

* Test new features and provide feedback
* Report performance issues
* Suggest improvements
* Participate in beta programs

</details>

***

###

Congratulations! You now have comprehensive knowledge for developing on Somnia Network. This FAQ covered environment setup, contract development and verification, API integration, optimization, testing, advanced features, troubleshooting, and resources.

***


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