# Welcome to unicorn ultra — let’s build the future

Start your journey with the public Hedera network by learning the basics — from understanding the network’s architecture to who’s building next-generation applications, you’ll have a proper foundation to start building.

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th align="center"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a href="#learn-the-basics"><strong>LEARN THE BASICS</strong></a></td><td><a href="#learn-the-basics">#learn-the-basics</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="#set-up-your-environment"><strong>ENVIRONMENT SETUP</strong></a></td><td><a href="#set-up-your-environment">#set-up-your-environment</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="#build-your-first-decentralized-application-dapp"><strong>START BUILDING</strong></a></td><td><a href="#build-your-first-decentralized-application-dapp">#build-your-first-decentralized-application-dapp</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="#hedera-network-services"><strong>NETWORK SERVICES</strong></a></td><td><a href="#hedera-network-services">#hedera-network-services</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="#evm-compatible-tools"><strong>EVM-COMPATIBLE TOOLS</strong></a></td><td><a href="#evm-compatible-tools">#evm-compatible-tools</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="#developer-tools-and-integrations"><strong>TOOLS &#x26; INTEGRATIONS</strong></a></td><td><a href="#developer-tools-and-integrations">#developer-tools-and-integrations</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="https://hedera.com/roadmap"><strong>HEDERA ROADMAP</strong></a></td><td><a href="https://hedera.com/roadmap">https://hedera.com/roadmap</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><a href="support-and-community/contributing-guide"><strong>CONTRIBUTING GUIDE</strong></a></td><td><a href="support-and-community/contributing-guide">contributing-guide</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Learn the Basics

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://hedera.com/learning/hedera-hashgraph/what-is-hedera-hashgraph"><strong>Hedera Explained</strong></a></td><td>Understand the basics of Hedera network node types, developer services &#x26; API, governance, $HBAR, and more by reading this introduction to Hedera.</td><td><a href="https://hedera.com/learning/hedera-hashgraph/what-is-hedera-hashgraph">https://hedera.com/learning/hedera-hashgraph/what-is-hedera-hashgraph</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-86b8ce8b11d448446a5e3dee6c61a3bfc2953aea%2Fhedera%20explained.png?alt=media">hedera explained.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://hedera.com/how-it-works"><strong>How It Works</strong></a></td><td>Hedera is an open-source, public, proof-of-stake network. Hedera network services offer low &#x26; fixed fees,10k TPS, and instant transaction finality.</td><td><a href="https://hedera.com/how-it-works">https://hedera.com/how-it-works</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-087835b034ba6ed247d779f6e1ce3eea3602c28d%2Fwhy%20hedera.png?alt=media">why hedera.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="core-concepts"><strong>Core Concepts</strong></a></td><td>Dive into the technical core concepts of Hedera. Learn everything from how accounts are created to scheduling transactions and querying on-ledger data.</td><td><a href="core-concepts">core-concepts</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-7d6c9329f07a4e7addcbbb90083cc8beb4257753%2Fcore%20concepts.png?alt=media">core concepts.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://hedera.com/ecosystem"><strong>Hedera Ecosystem</strong></a></td><td>From permissionless web3 startups and NFT projects to Fortune 500 companies, take a look into who’s choosing Hedera to build their next-generation application.</td><td><a href="https://hedera.com/ecosystem">https://hedera.com/ecosystem</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4d705838083911c56e48fb0310b6ff8b6c302c92%2Fcase%20studies.png?alt=media">case studies.png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Set Up Your Environment

Start developing on the Hedera network today by following the step-by-step guide, which will provide you with everything you need to understand the essentials and start building web3 applications. Alternatively, you can start building with an end-to-end video tutorial.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Step-by-Step Guide" %}

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>1.</strong> <a href="getting-started/introduction"><strong>Testnet Access</strong></a></td><td>Create your developer profile on the portal to get your testnet account ID, keys, and test HBAR.</td><td><a href="getting-started/introduction">introduction</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1eab0492fb98f1e9fe5f5a54e24173b6d543eeb3%2Ftestnet%20access%20(1).png?alt=media">testnet access (1).png</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>2.</strong> <a href="getting-started/environment-set-up"><strong>Environment Setup</strong></a></td><td>Choose an SDK and set up your development environment. Write code in Javascript, Java, or Go.</td><td><a href="getting-started/environment-set-up">environment-set-up</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a753f2648514e66bc090b0d756318c6435bd7515%2Fenvironment%20setup%20(1).png?alt=media">environment setup (1).png</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>3.</strong> <a href="getting-started/create-an-account"><strong>Create an Account</strong></a></td><td>Generate keys &#x26; learn how to create an account on the Hedera Testnet using the SDK — you’ll submit a transaction, receive an account ID and learn how to check your balance.</td><td><a href="getting-started/create-an-account">create-an-account</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c0b7b30d2d7a915259cbd82dbc93a07c14a7d75e%2Fcreate%20an%20account.png?alt=media">create an account.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>4.</strong> <a href="getting-started/transfer-hbar"><strong>Transfer HBAR</strong></a></td><td>Send a balance transfer transaction by transferring HBAR from your account to another on Hedera Testnet. You'll create and verify a transfer transaction and learn how to get the account balance.</td><td><a href="getting-started/transfer-hbar">transfer-hbar</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-cdcd764223d695a3899b281b8518fbb8cb92479c%2Ftransfer%20hbar.png?alt=media">transfer hbar.png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Video Tutorial" %}
{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/Skx6b8uK9ks>" %}
Start Developing on Hedera\
by Developer Advocate: Michiel Mulders
{% endembed %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Build Your First Decentralized Application (DApp)

Learn how to use Hedera network services and build your first dApp by following these step-by-step tutorials.

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="tutorials/smart-contracts/deploy-a-contract-using-the-hedera-token-service"><strong>Create &#x26; Deploy a Smart Contract</strong></a></td><td>Create a Solidity Smart Contract that interacts with the Hedera Token Service, bringing full programmability into your token-based application.</td><td><a href="tutorials/smart-contracts/deploy-a-contract-using-the-hedera-token-service">deploy-a-contract-using-the-hedera-token-service</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2854f2d61b2756fd6d55bba11547c45606b7f85b%2Fcreate%20%26%20deploy%20a%20smart%20contract.png?alt=media">create &#x26; deploy a smart contract.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="tutorials/token/create-and-transfer-your-first-fungible-token"><strong>Create Fungible Tokens</strong></a></td><td>Service to create fungible tokens that map to <a href="https://docs.hedera.com/guides/core-concepts/smart-contracts/supported-erc-token-standards">ERC-20 standards</a> and scale to 10,000+ TPS.</td><td><a href="tutorials/token/create-and-transfer-your-first-fungible-token">create-and-transfer-your-first-fungible-token</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-6ea89ef67e05f32b12b331b3f2167e401d37f931%2Ffungible%20tokens.png?alt=media">fungible tokens.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="tutorials/token/create-and-transfer-your-first-nft"><strong>Create Non-Fungible Tokens</strong></a></td><td>Use the Hedera Token Service to create non-fungible tokens that map to <a href="https://docs.hedera.com/guides/core-concepts/smart-contracts/supported-erc-token-standards">ERC-721 standards</a> and scale to 10,000+ TPS.</td><td><a href="tutorials/token/create-and-transfer-your-first-nft">create-and-transfer-your-first-nft</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-555c60c75d144f8054448a1daa709561bbce29c0%2Fnon-fungible%20tokens.png?alt=media">non-fungible tokens.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="tutorials/consensus/submit-your-first-message"><strong>Write Verifiable Data to Hedera</strong></a></td><td>Use the Hedera Consensus Service as a decentralized message bus to write immutable, verifiable, and consensus timestamped data at 10k+ TPS and $0.0001 per message.</td><td><a href="tutorials/consensus/submit-your-first-message">submit-your-first-message</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0da0bea207a8ba2ba48c587b79b72f136816c023%2Fwrite%20verifiable%20data.png?alt=media">write verifiable data.png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Hedera Network Services

Learn about the suite of network services offered on Hedera and how each can be used to build decentralized applications.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="core-concepts/smart-contracts"><strong>Smart Contracts</strong></a></td><td>An EVM-based smart contract service. Build and deploy contracts using Solidity or port over an existing smart contract with ease.</td><td><a href="core-concepts/smart-contracts">smart-contracts</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-650bb34eb0d462f595b1b23c76505c51654b70b2%2Fsmart%20contracts.png?alt=media">smart contracts.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="sdks-and-apis/deprecated/sdks/tokens"><strong>Token Service</strong></a></td><td>Configure, mint, and manage native fungible and non-fungible tokens or using ERC-20 &#x26; 721 standards on the Hedera network.</td><td><a href="sdks-and-apis/deprecated/sdks/tokens">tokens</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8026c1f4fa16ca68c9dcc2e4ba1911f9e3505f51%2Ftoken%20service.png?alt=media">token service.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="sdks-and-apis/sdks/consensus-service"><strong>Consensus Service</strong></a></td><td>Incorporate scalable, real-time, auditable logs of events with consensus timestamps into any web2 or permissionless web3 application.</td><td><a href="sdks-and-apis/sdks/consensus-service">consensus-service</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9395c8c52a0d64bde246891ba611749c4357a1e4%2Fconsensus%20service.png?alt=media">consensus service.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="sdks-and-apis/sdks/file-service"><strong>File Service</strong></a></td><td>Hedera File Service is a decentralized file storage platform that allows users to securely store and access files on a distributed network of computers using hash as a file identifier.</td><td><a href="sdks-and-apis/sdks/file-service">file-service</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5e9e8253bf2fa8fe33d0c342c23b25637f7b7cac%2Ffile%20service%20(1).png?alt=media">file service (1).png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## EVM-Compatible Tools

Continue utilizing familiar Ethereum development tools such as Web3.js, Truffle, Ethers, Hardhat, and Foundry to build on Hedera using the [JSON-RPC Relay](https://dev.uniultra.xyz/docs/core-concepts/smart-contracts/json-rpc-relay). As an Ethereum developer, your workflow does not have to change.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay/blob/main/docs/examples/account-alias-ecdsa.js"><strong>Create an ECDSA Account</strong></a></td><td>Create an ECDSA account that works with JSON-RPC to use EVM-compatible tooling, libraries, and wallets.</td><td><a href="https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay/blob/main/docs/examples/account-alias-ecdsa.js">https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay/blob/main/docs/examples/account-alias-ecdsa.js</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c9c339e03a0a1d51444d97287f04e2989a9ed712%2Fcreate%20ECDSA%20account.png?alt=media">create ECDSA account.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay/blob/main/docs/transfer-guide.md"><strong>Set Up Metamask</strong></a></td><td>Add a Hedera network to Metamask using the <a href="http://hashio.io">Hashio</a> implementation of the JSON-RPC Relay. Sign transactions and queries to test your Hedera-powered application.</td><td><a href="https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay/blob/main/docs/transfer-guide.md">https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay/blob/main/docs/transfer-guide.md</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-467d8163936665565d2a3f1e40bbd9c028691e42%2Fsetup%20metamask.png?alt=media">setup metamask.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay/tree/main/tools"><strong>Libraries &#x26; Tooling</strong></a></td><td>Integrate Hedera into Ethers, web3.js, Truffle, or Hardhat for building, debugging, and deploying your smart contract applications on the Hedera network.</td><td><a href="https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay/tree/main/tools">https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay/tree/main/tools</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-26eddee9976b5cd5aedbb31dfeca6d860a3b875b%2Flibraries%20%26%20tooling.png?alt=media">libraries &#x26; tooling.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay"><strong>JSON-RPC Relay</strong></a></td><td>JSON-RPC makes it easy for existing EVM-based libraries, dev tools, and wallets to work effortlessly on Hedera. Hashio is a free implementation of the relay, offered by Swirlds Labs.</td><td><a href="https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay">https://github.com/hashgraph/hedera-json-rpc-relay</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0f0710bd712472344fdf2abe5a342644fc08ecd3%2FJSON-RPC%20relay.png?alt=media">JSON-RPC relay.png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Developer Tools and Integrations

Explore various developer tools and resources on Hedera that help make building and maintaining your decentralized application even easier.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="networks/community-mirror-nodes"><strong>Network Explorers</strong></a></td><td>Visualizations &#x26; APIs for historical network data, including account &#x26; token details, transactions, tokens, contracts, topics, and schedules.</td><td><a href="networks/community-mirror-nodes">community-mirror-nodes</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f7c8c40723e276c54682620bb55321f162a98f1f%2Fnetwork%20explorers.png?alt=media">network explorers.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="../sdks-and-apis/sdks#ecosystem-wallet-support"><strong>Wallet Integrations</strong></a></td><td>Onboard users into your application with ease. Wallets on Hedera offer transaction signing, management of HBAR, NFTs, and fungible tokens.</td><td><a href="../sdks-and-apis/sdks#ecosystem-wallet-support">#ecosystem-wallet-support</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d4217e83da73acb632a8cb47a4154d20b8c015cd%2Fwallet%20integrations.png?alt=media">wallet integrations.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://www.hashport.network/"><strong>Network Bridge</strong></a></td><td>HashPort is a public utility that facilitates the bi-directional movement of digital assets between public networks in a quick, secure, and cost-effective way.</td><td><a href="https://www.hashport.network/">https://www.hashport.network/</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0c094840de408dcf1823650b655d94d16c91e591%2Fnetwork%20bridge%20(1).png?alt=media">network bridge (1).png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://www.openzeppelin.com/defender"><strong>Monitoring &#x26; Security</strong></a></td><td>Use Open Zeppelin’s Defender Admin, Relay, and Sentinels for administrative, security, and monitoring functionality for Smart Contracts on Hedera.</td><td><a href="https://www.openzeppelin.com/defender">https://www.openzeppelin.com/defender</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-bbad8b437e5b9c58bdf461f1c574b98884367a12%2Fmonitor%20%26%20security.png?alt=media">monitor &#x26; security.png</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://hedera.com/blog/how-to-set-up-your-own-hedera-local-network-using-docker"><strong>Local Node</strong></a></td><td>Learn how to set up your own Hedera local network, including consensus &#x26; mirror nodes, using Docker.</td><td><a href="https://hedera.com/blog/how-to-set-up-your-own-hedera-local-network-using-docker">https://hedera.com/blog/how-to-set-up-your-own-hedera-local-network-using-docker</a></td><td><a href="https://592200968-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVT3f9QAlYUQDmOkZk32d%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0efcd484077162ef821e57d82c388ab53b9121d1%2Flocal%20node%20(1).png?alt=media">local node (1).png</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

> **Have a question?** [**Ask it on StackOverflow**](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/hedera-hashgraph)**.**


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://dev.uniultra.xyz/docs/readme.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.