How to Build dApps on Shibarium: A Step-by-Step Guide for Developers

If you’ve been curious about how to build dApps on Shibarium, you’re in the right place. Shibarium is a Layer 2 scaling solution crafted specifically for the Shiba Inu ecosystem, designed to boost speed and slash transaction fees without sacrificing security. Think of it as the turbocharger for Ethereum, giving developers the power to create faster, cheaper, and smoother decentralized applications. 

What makes Shibarium especially friendly for builders is its full compatibility with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). This means if you’ve dabbled with Ethereum before, jumping into Shibarium feels like coming home—you get to use the same tools, languages, and workflows you already know and love. Whether you’re dreaming up decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, minting NFTs, or building community-focused apps, Shibarium offers a flexible playground where your ideas can thrive without the usual blockchain headaches.

Step 1: Connect to the Shibarium Network

Before you can start to build dApps on Shibarium, the first step is getting your wallet connected to the Shibarium network. If you’ve used Ethereum before, this will feel familiar—Shibarium uses the same style of RPC (Remote Procedure Call) URLs that let your wallet talk to the blockchain.

Most developers use MetaMask, an easy-to-install browser extension wallet that works with Ethereum-compatible blockchains like Shibarium. To connect, you simply add Shibarium’s RPC details into MetaMask as a custom network. This tells MetaMask, “Hey, here’s where you find Shibarium!”

Here’s what you’ll need to plug in:

• Network Name: Shibarium
  
• RPC URL: https://chain.shibrpc.com/
  
• Chain ID: 109
  
• Currency Symbol: BONE (the native token used for gas fees on Shibarium)
  
• Block Explorer URL: https://www.shibariumscan.io

If you want to test your contracts before going live, Shibarium also offers Puppynet, a testnet where you can deploy and interact with your dApps without spending real tokens. The Puppynet network has its own RPC and chain ID details, which you can find on the official Shibarium developer docs.

Once your wallet is connected, you’re officially on the Shibarium highway—ready to start coding, deploying, and experimenting without those sky-high fees Ethereum sometimes throws your way.

Step 2: Choose Your Development Stack

Now that you’re connected to the Shibarium network, it’s time to pick your tools—aka your development stack. Because Shibarium is fully EVM-compatible, you get to play with all the familiar Ethereum developer favorites. Whether you’re a coding wizard or just starting out, there’s something here for everyone ready to build dApps on Shibarium.

Here’s a quick rundown of the most popular tools you can use:

Remix IDE

This is a web-based, beginner-friendly environment where you can write, compile, and deploy smart contracts right from your browser. Perfect if you want to jump in fast without setting up anything complicated.

Hardhat

A powerful and flexible development framework used by pros for building, testing, and deploying contracts. It offers great scripting capabilities and integrates well with your favorite editors, making it perfect for bigger projects.

Truffle

One of the OG Ethereum frameworks, Truffle bundles smart contract compilation, deployment, and testing into a neat package. It’s great for those who want a full suite of tools and automated workflows.

Thirdweb

If you want to skip some of the heavy lifting, Thirdweb offers pre-built smart contract templates and easy SDKs to get your dApp running faster. Ideal for builders focused on user experience and quick launches.

Replit

This online coding platform lets you write, test, and collaborate on code without leaving your browser. Great for beginners or teams who want an accessible, cloud-based dev environment.

Each tool has its vibe and strengths, so whether you prefer coding in-browser or building full-scale projects with robust testing, Shibarium’s compatibility lets you choose what fits your style. Ready to roll up your sleeves? The dev tools are at your fingertips—let’s get to work!

Step 3: Deploy Your First Smart Contract

Here’s where the fun really begins—putting your code live on Shibarium! Deploying your first smart contract is easier than you might think, and there are a couple of great ways to do it depending on your comfort level.

Option A: Deploy with Remix IDE

Remix IDE is a web-based tool perfect for beginners or anyone who wants to quickly test and deploy contracts without setting up a complex environment. To get started, you’ll need a MetaMask wallet connected to Shibarium and some test BONE tokens, which you can get for free from the Shibarium faucet.

You’ll write a simple contract (think of it like a tiny program) that can store and retrieve a number. Once your contract is ready, compile it right in Remix, connect your MetaMask wallet to Shibarium, and deploy with just a few clicks. Remix also lets you interact with your deployed contract instantly, so you can test how it works.

Option B: Deploy and Verify with Hardhat

If you want more control or plan to build bigger projects, Hardhat is a developer favorite. This option requires some setup on your computer: installing Node.js, setting up Hardhat, and connecting your MetaMask wallet with your private key stored safely.

You create a project folder, write your smart contract in your preferred code editor, and configure Hardhat to connect to the Shibarium network. With a simple deploy script, you can launch your contract onto Shibarium straight from your terminal or command line.

Once deployed, Hardhat also lets you verify your contract on Shibarium’s blockchain explorer. Verification means your contract’s code is publicly visible and trusted, which is great for transparency.

Whether you choose Remix for a quick start or Hardhat for a more advanced approach, deploying your first contract is a huge milestone in your journey to build dApps on Shibarium. Next up? Testing and making sure everything runs smoothly before going live!

Step 4: Test and Iterate Your dApp

Congrats—you’ve deployed your first contract on Shibarium! But before you shout it from the rooftops, it’s time to test and fine-tune your dApp. Testing helps catch bugs, improve user experience, and make sure everything runs smoothly when you go live.

Why Test on Puppynet?

Puppynet is Shibarium’s official testnet, a playground where you can try out your contracts without spending real tokens or risking your project’s reputation. Think of it like a rehearsal stage before the big show. Deploy your contracts here, interact with them, and catch any hiccups early on.

Using Hardhat Tools for Testing

Hardhat isn’t just for deployment; it also offers powerful tools to collect logs and measure test coverage. Logs help you see what your contract is doing behind the scenes, while coverage reports show how much of your code is tested—making sure you’re not leaving anything to chance.

Bringing in the Frontend Magic

A dApp isn’t just smart contracts—it’s also about the user experience. That’s where frontend frameworks like Next.js and Vite come in. Pair them with libraries like Ethers.js or Web3.js to connect your smart contracts to a slick, responsive interface. This full-stack approach lets users interact with your dApp easily, whether they’re minting NFTs or swapping tokens.

Testing and iterating might not be the flashiest step, but it’s where your project transforms from a simple idea to a polished dApp ready to wow the Shibarium community. Keep experimenting, keep refining, and you’ll be building dApps on Shibarium that users love!

Step 5: Go Further with Your dApp

So you’ve connected, coded, deployed, and tested—what’s next? It’s time to take your dApp to the next level and really make your mark in the Shibarium ecosystem.

• Add your token metadata to the official registry – If your dApp involves tokens, adding their metadata—like name, symbol, and logo—to Shibarium’s official token registry helps wallets and explorers display your token beautifully and correctly. It’s like giving your token a shiny name tag so everyone knows who it is and what it’s all about.
• Get featured on the Shibarium dApp Store – Visibility matters! Listing your dApp on the Shibarium dApp Store puts it front and center for the community. More eyeballs mean more users, feedback, and potential collaborations. Plus, being part of the official store signals trust and credibility—two things every dApp needs to thrive.
• Share your work by open-sourcing on GitHub – Want to join the Shibarium builder community? Open-sourcing your code on GitHub is a fantastic way to contribute. It invites other developers to review, improve, and build on your work—turning your solo project into a team effort that can evolve and grow faster. Plus, it boosts your reputation as a collaborative and transparent developer.

Taking these extra steps not only boosts your dApp’s success but also strengthens the entire Shibarium ecosystem. The more builders share, showcase, and connect, the richer and more vibrant the community becomes. Ready to build dApps on Shibarium that make waves? Now’s your chance!

Why Shibarium Is the Perfect Place to Build

Shibarium takes the stress out of Web3 development. With full EVM compatibility and super low gas fees, it’s the ideal launchpad for developers who want to build dApps without reinventing the wheel—or breaking the bank. Whether you’re crafting DeFi platforms, NFT projects, or community-driven tools, the transition from Ethereum is seamless.

What really sets Shibarium apart is the ecosystem behind it. You’ve got a passionate community, a growing list of dev tools, and resources like the official dApp store and token registry to help boost visibility. And if you’re open-sourcing your work, you’ll find contributors and collaborators ready to jump in.

Building on Shibarium isn’t just about deploying code—it’s about being part of something bigger. So if you’ve got an idea and the drive to build, now’s the time to plug in, deploy, and make it real.

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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.