This guide will help you set up your development environment for working with the CDK repository.
Before you begin, ensure you have:
- Git installed on your system
- GitHub account
- Basic familiarity with command line operations
- Navigate to the CDK repository on GitHub
- Click the "Fork" button in the top-right corner
- Clone your forked repository:
git clone https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/cdk.git
cd cdkCDK uses Nix for building, CI, and managing dev environment.
Note: only Nix (the language & package manager) and not the NixOS (the Linux distribution) is needed.
Nix can be installed on any Linux distribution and macOS.
While it is technically possible to not use Nix, it is highly recommended as it ensures consistent and reproducible environment for all developers.
You have 2 options to install nix:
- RECOMMENDED: The Determinate Nix Installer
- The official installer
Example:
> nix --version
nix (Nix) 2.9.1
The exact version might be different.
If you installed Nix using the "determinate installer" you can skip this step. If you used the "official installer", edit either ~/.config/nix/nix.conf or /etc/nix/nix.conf and add:
experimental-features = nix-command flakes
If the Nix installation is in multi-user mode, don’t forget to restart the nix-daemon.
nix develop -c $SHELL For testing and development, CDK provides a complete regtest environment with Bitcoin, Lightning Network nodes, and CDK mints.
just regtest # Starts full environment with mprocs TUIThis provides:
- Bitcoin regtest node
- 4 Lightning Network nodes (2 CLN + 2 LND)
- 2 CDK mints (one connected to CLN, one to LND)
- Real-time log monitoring via mprocs
- Helper commands for testing Lightning payments and CDK operations
See REGTEST_GUIDE.md for complete documentation including:
- Detailed setup and usage instructions
- Development workflows and testing scenarios
- mprocs TUI interface guide
- Troubleshooting and advanced usage
just buildjust testjust itest REDB/SQLITE/MEMORYNOTE: if this command fails on macos change the nix channel to unstable (in the flake.nix file modify nixpkgs.url = "github:NixOS/nixpkgs/nixos-24.11"; to nixpkgs.url = "github:NixOS/nixpkgs/nixos-unstable";)
just formatjust clippyjust final-check-
Branch Management
- Create feature branches from
main - Use descriptive branch names:
feature/new-featureorfix/bug-description
- Create feature branches from
-
Commit Messages
- Follow conventional commits format
- Begin with type:
feat:,fix:,docs:,chore:, etc. - Provide clear, concise descriptions
-
Testing
- Write tests for new features
- Ensure all tests pass before submitting PR
- Include integration tests where applicable
- Development Shell Issues
- Clean Nix store:
nix-collect-garbage -d - Remove and recreate development shell
- Clean Nix store:
- Open an issue on GitHub
- Check existing issues for similar problems
- Include relevant error messages and system information
- Reach out in Matrix Invite link
- Create a feature branch
- Make your changes
- Run tests and formatting
- Submit a pull request
- Wait for review and address feedback
Refer to the LICENSE file in the repository for terms of use and distribution.