Contractless/README.md

# Contractless

Contractless is a new peer-to-peer blockchain built from the ground up around spendable digital money, native transaction types, and a consensus model called Fair Proof of Work.

Instead of rewarding specialized mining hardware with overwhelming advantage, Contractless limits mining attempts so ordinary hardware can participate on more equal footing. The chain includes native support for base-currency transfers, tokens, NFTs, swaps, loans, marketing records, and app-style data storage without requiring a smart-contract VM.

Contractless is currently in testnet. Node operators, developers, wallet testers, and application builders are encouraged to review the documentation, run testnet nodes, and help test the network.

For protocol design, mining rules, balance handling, orphan correction, and Fair Proof of Work details, read the [Contractless whitepaper](https://contractless.community/contractless_whitepaper.pdf).

## Development With Codex

Contractless is designed and developed by Bruce Bates. OpenAI Codex, including the GPT-5.6 SOL model, has been used as an AI-assisted development tool.

GPT-5.6 SOL assisted with:

- Reviewing and debugging peer connection, bootstrap, handshake, and automatic reconnection behavior.
- Tracing multi-node synchronization and orphan-correction failures across source code and node logs.
- Hardening network-map monitoring and connection-state handling.
- Implementing and reviewing on-chain data-storage transaction support.
- Integrating data storage, address data, NFTs, loans, assets, and transaction history into the GUI wallet.
- Improving [GUI wallet](https://contractless.dev/contractless/Contractless-GUI-Wallet) cache synchronization, cache deletion safety, and Windows file-access coordination.
- Reviewing Rust transaction validation, mempool handling, block saving, and chain-reorganization paths.
- Identifying behavioral inconsistencies between local wallet caches and RPC responses.
- Expanding and reorganizing user documentation for installation, wallets, transactions, validation tools, loans, swaps, NFTs, fees, and data storage.
- Assisting with testing, compilation checks, technical explanations, and project presentation materials.

Codex served as a development assistant. Project architecture, consensus rules, economic design, feature requirements, testing decisions, and final implementation direction remain human-controlled.

## System Requirements

Recommended node requirements:

- Dedicated Internet
- PC / Laptop / Hosted VPS or cloud hosting
- Minimum 4GB RAM (precompiled binaries) 
- Minimum 16 - 24GB RAM (building from source)
- i5 or higher CPU (or AMD equivalent CPU)
- 64 bit processing OS

Contractless uses Falcon signatures and requires 64-bit processing support.

## Networking Requirements

A public Contractless node must be reachable by other peers.

- Dedicated Public IP address
- Open public RPC port
- Router or host firewall port forwarding when behind NAT
- Reliable system time using NTP or another time synchronization service A common default is `pool.ntp.org`.
- One mining node per public IP

## Download Source

Clone the repository:

```bash
git clone https://contractless.dev/contractless/Contractless.git
cd Contractless
```

## Precompiled Binaries

Precompiled releases are available here:

[https://contractless.dev/contractless/Contractless/releases](https://contractless.dev/contractless/Contractless/releases)

Use the release package that matches your operating system and follow the matching installation guide below.

## Documentation

| Guide | Description |
| --- | --- |
| [Linux Installation](src/branch/main/docs/LINUX_INSTALLATION.md) | Install, configure, and run a Contractless node on Linux. |
| [Windows Installation](src/branch/main/docs/WINDOWS_INSTALLATION.md) | Install, configure, and run a Contractless node on Windows. |
| [Manual Postgres Setup](src/branch/main/docs/POSTGRES.md) | Manually create the PostgreSQL database, user, permissions, and settings. |
| [Config Settings](src/branch/main/docs/SETTINGS.md) | Full `settings.ini` reference and runtime path behavior. |
| [Wallet Tools](src/branch/main/docs/WALLET_TOOLS.md) | Create, restore, register, validate, and manage wallets. |
| [Validation Tools](src/branch/main/docs/VALIDATION_TOOLS.md) | Validate addresses, messages, blocks, torrents, and chain data. |
| [NFT Transactions](src/branch/main/docs/NFT_TRANSACTIONS.md) | Create, transfer and understand NFTs and RWA metadata. |
| [Tokens and Swaps](src/branch/main/docs/TOKEN_SWAPS.md) | Create tokens, swaps, import swaps, and handle two-party swap signatures. |
| [Loan Transactions](src/branch/main/docs/LOAN_TRANSACTIONS.md) | Create loans, make payments, claim collateral, and understand loan rules. |
| [Marketing Transactions](src/branch/main/docs/MARKETING_TRANSACTIONS.md) | Record campaign data and query marketing activity. |
| [Blocks and Transactions](src/branch/main/docs/BLOCKS_AND_TRANSACTIONS.md) | Look up blocks and transactions, create remaining transaction types, and broadcast signed transactions. |
| [Mempool](src/branch/main/docs/MEMPOOL.md) | Inspect pending transactions and mempool state. |
| [Data Storage](src/branch/main/docs/DATA_STORAGE.md) | Create storage keys, write app data, and use paid storage lookups. |
| [Other Tools](src/branch/main/docs/OTHER_TOOLS.md) | Additional CLI tools and maintenance commands. |
| [Fees](src/branch/main/docs/FEES.md) | Base fees for every native transaction type. |
| [Developers](src/branch/main/docs/DEV.md) | Architecture notes, library structure, RPC behavior, and contribution guidance. |

## Current Status

Contractless is still under active testnet development. Interfaces, transaction tools, docs, and node behavior may continue to change while the chain is tested.