GM Folks
Ever wanted to build something on the blockchain but felt overwhelmed by all the jargon? Yeah, me too. That’s why I decided to start small, real small with a fun little project: a "Buy Me a Coffee" dApp where people can send me ETH as a tip. (Because, let’s be honest, we all need more coffee and crypto in our lives.)
This was my first full-stack Web3 project, and let me tell you. It was a wild ride. From wrestling with TypeScript to debugging weird MetaMask errors, I learned a ton. And now, I’m here to break it all down for you in a way that (hopefully) doesn’t make your brain melt.
So grab your favorite drink (coffee, tea, or… ETH?), and let’s dive in!
☕ What the Heck Does This dApp Do?
Imagine this: You’re a developer (or aspiring one), and you want people to appreciate your work. But instead of just slapping a PayPal link on your portfolio, you decide to go full Web3 mode.
That’s exactly what this dApp does. It’s a super simple Ethereum-based tip jar where:
✅ You connect your MetaMask wallet (because we’re fancy like that)
✅ You send me some ETH (aka "buy me a coffee")
✅ You check the contract balance (see how caffeinated I am)
✅ I withdraw the funds (so I can actually buy coffee)
It’s like Venmo, but decentralized, slightly more complicated, and way cooler to brag about at parties.
🛠️ The Tech Stack: What’s Under the Hood?
Alright, let’s get nerdy. Here’s what I used to build this thing:
Frontend: The Pretty Part
- HTML + CSS (because we’re not savages)
- JavaScript (very VITAL)
- TypeScript (JavaScript’s stricter, more opinionated sibling)
Blockchain Stuff: The Magic Sauce
- Ethereum (but locally via Anvil—no real money was harmed in the making of this dApp)
- Viem (a sleek library for Ethereum interactions)
- MetaMask (the gateway drug to Web3)
🔥 The Build Process: Wins, Fails, and "Aha!" Moments
1. JavaScript: The Brain of the Operation
First, I wrote a simple JavaScript code that:
- Check for Wallet: It first checks if you have a crypto wallet installed in your browser.
- If Wallet is Found: It sets up a connection to your wallet.
- If Wallet is NOT Found: It tells you to install MetaMask by changing the button text to "Please install MetaMask".
Also added other functions to Fund, Get Balance of the contract and also Withdraw
2. Frontend: Where the Magic (and Headaches) Happen
This is where things got spicy.
The Good
- Wallet connection with MetaMask? ✅
- Sending ETH to the contract? ✅
- Reading the contract balance? ✅
The Bad
- TypeScript kicked my butt. I started with JavaScript, but then had to switch to TypeScript as it is more readable and best to use has I have learnt from Cyfrin Updraft. But damn TypeScript was real tough to understand.
The Ugly
MetaMask pop-ups are sneaky. Sometimes, the wallet just wouldn’t connect properly, and I’d sit there refreshing the page like a caveman discovering fire. Turns out, I needed to handle chain switches better.
🚨 Shoutout to Cyfrin Updraft!
Before I go any further, I gotta give a massive shoutout to Cyfrin Updraft if you’re looking to learn Web3 the right way, these folks are absolute legends. Their courses are beginner-friendly, packed with real-world projects (like this one!), and taught by people who actually know what they’re doing.
So if you’re reading this and thinking, "Man, I wish I could build cool Web3 stuff too," go check them out. Trust me, it’s worth it.
💡 Key Takeaways & Lessons Learned
- Start small. A "Buy Me a Coffee" dApp is way less intimidating than building a full-blown DeFi protocol.
- TypeScript is powerful… but painful. If you’re new to it, it's gonna take a while to handle it properly.
- MetaMask can be finicky. Always test wallet connections on multiple browsers.
- Local testing (Anvil) saves money. No need to waste ETH on testnets while debugging.
- Web3 is fun! Frustrating at times, but incredibly rewarding when things finally work.
Building this dApp was equal parts exciting, frustrating, and rewarding. It’s crazy how much you can learn from a simple project like this.
If you’re just starting your Web3 journey, don’t overthink it. Pick a small idea, break it down, and build it step by step. And when things go wrong (because they will), just remember: Every error message is a lesson in disguise.
Now go forth, build cool stuff, and maybe… buy me a coffee? 😉 ☕
What was your first Web3 project? Drop a comment below or hit me up on Twitter! Let’s chat. 🚀
Also check out the project in my GitHub
