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Quick start guide

Get up and running with the FHEVM Bootcamp in less than 10 minutes.

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Prerequisites

Before you begin, verify you have the required tools installed:
RequirementVersion
Node.js20+
Git2.40+
Verify your setup: 
node --version   # v20.x or higher
git --version    # 2.40+
If you don’t have Node.js 20+, download it from nodejs.org

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Setup (3 minutes)

1

Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/Himess/fhevm-bootcamp.git
cd fhevm-bootcamp
2

Install dependencies

npm install
This will install all required packages including:
  • @fhevm/solidity - FHE Solidity library
  • @fhevm/hardhat-plugin - Hardhat integration
  • hardhat - Development framework
3

Compile contracts

npx hardhat compile
Expected output:
Generating typings for: 35 artifacts in dir: types for target: ethers-v6
Successfully generated 70 typings!
Compiled 35 Solidity files successfully

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Run tests (2 minutes)

All 328 tests run locally in mock FHE mode—no testnet connection needed: 
npm test
Expected output: 
  SimpleStorage
    ✓ should store and retrieve a value
    ✓ should emit ValueChanged event
  ...

  328 passing (Xs)
To run tests with gas reporting:
npm run test:gas

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Deploy to Sepolia (5 minutes)

Optional: Deploy contracts to Ethereum Sepolia testnet.
1

Configure environment

Copy the example environment file:
cp .env.example .env
Edit .env and add your private key:
.env
PRIVATE_KEY=your_private_key_without_0x_prefix
SEPOLIA_RPC_URL=https://ethereum-sepolia-rpc.publicnode.com
You need Sepolia ETH. Get some from the Alchemy Sepolia Faucet
2

Deploy contracts

npm run deploy:sepolia
Expected output:
============================================================
FHEVM Bootcamp - Sepolia Deployment
============================================================
Deployer: 0xYourAddress
Balance: 0.5 ETH

[Module 00] Deploying SimpleStorage...
  deployed: 0x...

[Module 02] Deploying HelloFHEVM...
  deployed: 0x...

...
Total: 11/11 deployed
3

Verify on Etherscan (optional)

npx hardhat verify --network sepolia <CONTRACT_ADDRESS>

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Explore the curriculum

The bootcamp has 20 modules across 4 weeks. Start based on your experience:

New to Solidity

Start with Module 00: Prerequisites & Solidity Review in modules/00-prerequisites/

Know Solidity, new to FHE

Start with Module 01: Introduction to FHE in modules/01-intro-to-fhe/

Know FHE basics

Start with Module 04: Operations in modules/04-operations/

Want to build apps

Start with Module 11: Confidential ERC-20 in modules/11-project-erc20/

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Module structure

Each module folder contains: 
modules/XX-module-name/
  README.md        # Overview and learning objectives
  lesson.md        # Full lesson content
  slides/slides.md # Presentation slides (Marp format)
  exercise.md      # Hands-on exercises
  quiz.md          # Knowledge check
Matching contracts live in contracts/, tests in test/, exercises in exercises/, and solutions in solutions/.

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Key commands

CommandDescription
npm testRun all 328 tests (mock FHE mode)
npm run test:gasRun tests with gas usage report
npm run compileCompile all Solidity contracts
npm run cleanRemove artifacts, cache, types
npm run buildClean + compile from scratch
npm run deploy:localDeploy to local Hardhat network
npm run deploy:sepoliaDeploy to Ethereum Sepolia testnet
npm run lintLint Solidity files
npm run formatCheck formatting
npm run format:fixAuto-fix formatting

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Docker (alternative setup)

If you prefer a containerized environment, no local Node.js installation needed: 
# Run all tests (one command)
docker compose up

# Run with build output visible
docker compose up --build

# Run interactively
docker compose run --rm bootcamp sh
Inside the container you can run any command: 
npx hardhat compile
npm test
npm run deploy:sepolia   # after configuring .env

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Key resources

ResourcePath
Cheatsheetresources/CHEATSHEET.md
Common pitfallsresources/COMMON_PITFALLS.md
Gas guideresources/GAS_GUIDE.md
Security checklistresources/SECURITY_CHECKLIST.md
Glossaryresources/GLOSSARY.md
Full syllabuscurriculum/SYLLABUS.md
Instructor guidecurriculum/INSTRUCTOR_GUIDE.md

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Troubleshooting

Delete node_modules/ and package-lock.json, then run npm install again:
rm -rf node_modules package-lock.json
npm install
Run npm run clean then npm run compile:
npm run clean
npm run compile
Increase mocha timeout:
npx hardhat test --timeout 60000
Check that:
  1. Your .env has the correct PRIVATE_KEY (without 0x prefix)
  2. You have Sepolia ETH in your account
  3. Your RPC URL is valid
Regenerate type bindings:
npm run build

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Next steps

Full installation guide

Detailed setup instructions and environment configuration

Curriculum overview

Explore the complete 4-week program
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