# cardano.build

> An open, community-curated index of tools, SDKs, languages, infrastructure, people and learning resources for building on Cardano. 516 resources (596 links) in 27 sections. Licence: CC0-1.0. Updated 2026-10-08.

This is the short map. Every resource with descriptions, tags and sub-links: https://www.cardano.build/llms-full.txt
Structured JSON (source of truth, schema at https://www.cardano.build/data/index.schema.json): https://www.cardano.build/data/index.json
Scope: Anything that directly relates to building on Cardano — not investment, price or trading. To add or fix an entry, open a pull request against https://github.com/selfdriven-octo/cardano-build/blob/main/docs/data/index.json

## Where do I start?

First steps, guides and orientation for new Cardano builders.

- [Ultimate Cardano Smart Contracts Book](https://a.co/d/04QyMZb2)
- [Book intro by Lawrence Ley](https://youtu.be/N0ZMidQYXYw?si=xwEnu92f5L07pYD1): Video introduction to the smart contracts book
- [Cardano fundamentals](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdjoBLGLnlw): ReddSpark
- [UTxOs, hashes etc. explained](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xARVAXoloY4&t=6): Woodland Pools
- [Cardano tech stack overview](https://www.cardano.build/diagrams/selfdriven-education-cardano-tech-stack-dark.pdf): Overview diagram (PDF)
- [ETH2ADA dictionary](http://eth2ada.com/dictionary): Ethereum → Cardano terminology
- [Native tokens (NFTs & FTs)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oYio9hNxiM): NerdOut — Andrew Westberg
- [Submitting transactions with cardano-cli](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs2AWS4xIr0)
- [dsociety.io/learn](https://dsociety.io/learn): Foot-hold code showing the basics of interacting with a wallet (by Turlia)
- [BlockSplained Developer Diaries](https://blocksplained.substack.com): A journey to becoming a Cardano developer
- [Gimbalabs](https://gimbalabs.com/gimbalgrid): PBL, starter kits, events
- [MeshJS starter templates](https://meshjs.dev/starter-templates): For experienced React / Next.js developers
- [OpShin example](https://github.com/OpShin/opshin-example): For experienced Python developers
- [Zero to mainnet in 5 minutes with Helios](https://youtu.be/z5_1WiVc3aA): Cardano smart contract walkthrough (CryptoJoe101)
- [Blockchain class](https://www.adafilms.art/blockchain-class): ADAFILMS
- [History of Cardano](https://ctimelines.io): ctimelines.io
- [cardano-cli via Daedalus](https://cardano.stackexchange.com/questions/895/using-cardano-node-installed-by-daedalus-as-cli): Using the cardano-cli installed with the Daedalus full-node wallet
- [Wisdom.Courses](https://wisdom.courses)
- [Developer ecosystem surveys](https://github.com/cardano-foundation/state-of-the-developer-ecosystem/tree/main): Cardano Foundation — state of the developer ecosystem
- [Cardano Wiki](https://cardanoblockchain.wiki)
- [Getting Started By Mesh](https://meshjs.dev/guides)
- [Starter Kits By Gimbalabs](https://gimbalabs.com/pbl/csk)
- [Cookbook By PGWAD](https://armada-alliance.gitbook.io/cardano-blockchain-developer-cookbook/)
- [Getting Started By Atlas](https://atlas-app.io/getting-started)
- [Lovelace Academy](https://learn.lovelace.academy): Interactive courses

## Hello-world quick starts

The shortest path from zero to a working transaction or validator, per language.

- [Lucid](https://lucid.spacebudz.io/docs/basics/instantiate-lucid/): Create wallets & submit transactions — JavaScript/TypeScript
- [PyCardano](https://github.com/Python-Cardano/pycardano/blob/main/examples/plutus/forty_two/forty_two.py): Submit transactions — Python
- [Atlas](https://atlas-app.io/getting-started): Submit transactions — Haskell
- [plu-ts](https://pluts.harmoniclabs.tech): On-chain scripts — TypeScript
- [Aiken](https://aiken-lang.org/example--hello-world): On-chain scripts — Aiken
- [Helios](https://helios-lang.io/docs/learn/intro): On-chain scripts — Helios
- [OpShin](https://github.com/OpShin/opshin-starter-kit): On-chain scripts — Python
- [Plutus Tx](https://plutus.readthedocs.io/en/latest/tutorials/basic-validators.html): On-chain scripts — Haskell
- [Demeter](https://demeter.run/starter-kits): Hosted Cardano infrastructure with starter kits

## Tools, SDKs & languages

Smart contract languages, off-chain SDKs, APIs and hosted infrastructure.

- [Cardano Developer Portal](https://developers.cardano.org/docs/get-started): Cardano Getting Started for Developers
- [Gimbalabs](https://gimbalabs.com/gimbalgrid): People Learning & Innovating Together — Starter Kits, Events & More
- [ABLE Pool cheat sheets](https://able-pool.io/document/): cardano-cli, SanchoNet & Voltaire (CIP-1694)
- [Aiken](https://aiken-lang.org): Programming language & toolchain for developing smart contracts
- [plu-ts](https://pluts.harmoniclabs.tech): DSL for smart contracts creation with a library for transactions, all in Typescript
- [Helios](https://helios-lang.io): Helios is a non-Haskell alternative to Plutus that compiles to Plutus-Core
- [OpShin](https://github.com/OpShin): OpShin, a Pythonic programming language for Smart Contracts
- [Marlowe](https://marlowe.iohk.io): Easily create, verify, and deploy secure smart contracts on Cardano using Ts/Js & Haskell
- [Scalus](https://github.com/nau/scalus): Scalus is a set of libraries to work with Cardano Untyped Plutus Core that works on both JVM and JavaScript
- [aicone](https://github.com/SundaeSwap-finance/aicone): Aiken libraries maintained by SundaeSwap Labs
- [MeshJS](https://meshjs.dev): Build your app with MeshJS, React & Next.js
- [Lucid](https://lucid.spacebudz.io): Build on Cardano the easy way using JavaScript
- [PyCardano](https://github.com/Python-Cardano/pycardano): A Cardano library written in Python for creating and signing transactions & works well with OpShin
- [CardanoSharp](https://cardanosharp.com): Bringing .NET and Cardano Together — A .NET library for Creating/Managing Wallets and Building/Signing Transactions
- [Atlas](https://atlas-app.io): An all-in-one open source solution to build on Cardano
- [Cardano Serialization Lib](https://github.com/Emurgo/cardano-serialization-lib): EMURGO serialisation library
- [cardano-transaction-lib](https://github.com/Plutonomicon/cardano-transaction-lib): PureScript library
- [kuber](https://github.com/dquadrant/kuber): Haskell library for balancing transactions (dquadrant)
- [Apollo](https://github.com/Salvionied/apollo): Go library
- [adalib](https://github.com/dcSpark/adalib): WalletConnect library (dcSpark)
- [Blockfrost](https://blockfrost.io/): Your gateway (api) to the Cardano ecosystem
- [Koios](https://www.koios.rest/): A Decentralised API that provides a consistent query layer for developers to build upon
- [Dandelion](https://dandelion.link): Cardano APIs as a Community Service. Free. Forever.
- [Ogmios](https://ogmios.dev)
- [Maestro](https://www.gomaestro.org): Indexer, Transactions & Smart Contracts Marketplace
- [UTxO RPC](https://utxorpc.org): A gRPC interface for UTxO Blockchains — Interact with UTxO-based blockchains using a shared specification with focus on developer experience and performance. — Go, Rust, Python & NodeJS SDKs
- [Demeter](https://demeter.run): A cloud environment with all the tools for building your dApp
- [TxPipe](https://txpipe.io/): Open source tools and infrastructure for Cardano developers
- [Blink Labs](https://blinklabs.io): Building open-source technology for the future of decentralized global finance. — gOuroboros, snek tailing tool, tx-submit-api, nview, Docker images ...
- [Strica](https://strica.io/): Open source developer tools for the Cardano ecosystem e.g. Cardanoscan API, Typhon.js
- [iagon](https://iagon.com/): Decentralised Cloud Storage for Web3.0
- [IntelliAda (BloxBean)](https://intelliada.bloxbean.com): A tool for developers to interact with Cardano directly from their IDE
- [CardanoPress](https://cardanopress.io/): Connecting WordPress & Cardano — Create engaging & unique Web3 experiences with CardanoPress with no development knowledge
- [Joget DX](https://www.joget.com/cardano-blockchain.html): Create a low-code dApp using the Joget DX
- [CardanoBeam](https://cardanobeam.app/)
- [Nebula](https://github.com/spacebudz/nebula): A Cardano NFT marketplace contract for individual projects
- [The Plutus Scaffold](https://github.com/mlabs-haskell/the-plutus-scaffold): MLabs scaffold for dApps
- [basic-smart-contracts](https://github.com/cent-development/basic-smart-contracts)
- [Atomic Swap Open Protocol](https://github.com/lley154/atomic-swap-open-protocol)
- [AdaStream](https://github.com/nau/adastream): Decentralised file hosting incentivised via Cardano ada payments
- [cnft-delist](https://github.com/elRaulito/cnft-delist): Delist an NFT listed on the deprecated Cardano marketplace
- [developers.cardano.org/tools](https://developers.cardano.org/tools): Official tools directory
- [CardanoCube](https://www.cardanocube.io/collections/developer-tools): Developer tools collection
- [Essential Cardano](https://www.essentialcardano.io/article/a-list-of-community-built-developer-tools-on-cardano): Community-built developer tools list
- [Cardano Fans](https://cardano.fans/our-work)
- [Built on Cardano](https://builtoncardano.com/ecosystem/developer-tools): Developer tools directory
- [ADADEV.io](https://adadev.io/)

## AI & agents

AI resources for Cardano builders — and the endpoints that let your agent read this index.

- [llms.txt](https://www.cardano.build/llms.txt): This index as an llms.txt — the short map for LLM context windows
- [llms-full.txt](https://www.cardano.build/llms-full.txt): Every resource, every link, as markdown
- [index.json](https://www.cardano.build/data/index.json): Structured index (JSON) — the source of truth for this page
- [Agent card](https://www.cardano.build/.well-known/agent.json): A2A protocol AgentCard describing what this index can answer
- [SKILL.md](https://www.cardano.build/SKILL.md): Drop-in skill so a coding agent knows how to use & update this index
- [GPT-4 - How does it work, and how do I build apps with it?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw-KWfKwvTQ)
- [SingularityNet Ecosystem](https://singularitynet.io/)
- [opshinGPT](https://github.com/OpShin/opshinGPT): Experimental chatbot to support users at writing OpShin Smart Contracts
- [Tips and tricks for working with Large Language Models](https://github.com/brexhq/prompt-engineering)
- [selfdriven.ai Research](https://selfdriven.ai): Resource Links, Interviews etc
- [Using OpenAI Assistants API](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h1ry-SqINc)
- [masumi.network](https://www.masumi.network/)

## Cheat sheets

Printable references for the CLI, governance and indexers.

- [ABLE Pool cheat sheets](https://able-pool.io/document/): cardano-cli, SanchoNet & Voltaire (CIP-1694)
- [TxPipe cheat sheet](https://github.com/txpipe/cheat-sheets/blob/main/cardano-indexers/cheat-sheet.pdf): Cardano indexers (PDF)

## Discussions & help

Where to ask questions and get unstuck.

- [BuildingOnCardano.dev room on vyra.io](https://vyra.io/room/buildingoncardano-dev): Beta chat room for builders
- [Cardano Forum — Developers](https://forum.cardano.org/c/developers/29)
- [ABLE Pool Discord](https://discord.com/invite/tHYrxCtdHm): Dev chat & getting help
- [Cardano Builder DAO](https://buildingoncardano.io/)

## Optional

- [Network, scaling & governance](https://www.cardano.build/#network): Explorers, Hydra, Mithril, CIP-1694 governance, CIPs and partner chains. (120 resources)
- [Infrastructure](https://www.cardano.build/#infrastructure): Stake pools, devnets, snapshots, batchers and decentralised storage. (10 resources)
- [Identity / SSI](https://www.cardano.build/#identity): Self-sovereign identity, DIDs, verifiable credentials and KERI. (8 resources)
- [Open source](https://www.cardano.build/#open-source): Production Cardano codebases to read and learn from, plus the indexes that track them. (37 resources)
- [Education](https://www.cardano.build/#education): Courses, academies, books and explainers. (19 resources)
- [Research](https://www.cardano.build/#research): Peer-reviewed research behind Cardano and where to find it. (7 resources)
- [Diagrams](https://www.cardano.build/#diagrams): How it all fits together — tech stack, network, transaction types. (4 resources)
- [Services & platforms](https://www.cardano.build/#services): Minting, oracles, storage, payments, DAO tooling and APIs you can build on. (27 resources)
- [Project resources](https://www.cardano.build/#project-resources): Funding, hiring, delivery partners and project tooling. (13 resources)
- [Staying safe on-chain](https://www.cardano.build/#safety): Tips to protect yourself — and to share with the users of your dApps. (12 resources)
- [Information security & QA](https://www.cardano.build/#infosec): Building and hosting Cardano apps securely; auditing and testing services. (11 resources)
- [UTXO family](https://www.cardano.build/#utxo-family): Where UTXO architectures and builders meet — Bitcoin, Ergo and friends. (13 resources)
- [Things · DePIN](https://www.cardano.build/#depin): Decentralised physical infrastructure on Cardano. (5 resources)
- [Gaming](https://www.cardano.build/#gaming): Engines, SDKs and communities for games on Cardano. (11 resources)
- [Related dev & design](https://www.cardano.build/#related): General tooling that pairs well with Cardano development. (17 resources)
- [Community](https://www.cardano.build/#community): Town halls, people offering tech advice, and builders to follow. (55 resources)
- [Channels to follow](https://www.cardano.build/#channels): YouTube channels and pools that teach. (15 resources)
- [Alliances](https://www.cardano.build/#alliances): Alliances and member-based organisations. (14 resources)
- [Events](https://www.cardano.build/#events): What's on. (1 resource)
- [I need inspiration!](https://www.cardano.build/#inspiration): Why we build, and ideas for what to build next. (5 resources)
- [About this index](https://www.cardano.build/#about): Community-maintained, CC0, open to pull requests. (13 resources)