ConsenSys, a prominent Ethereum software firm, has revealed its decision to discontinue Truffle and Ganache, two extensively utilized toolkits pivotal for the development and testing of Ethereum smart contracts. The company is now shifting its attention towards MetaMask toolkits such as Snaps and SDK to provide developers with enhanced capabilities.
To facilitate a smooth transition, ConsenSys will collaborate with HardHat to provide assistance to developers in creating and deploying new software on the Ethereum network.
Truffle Suite, which became part of ConsenSys in 2020, has been a fundamental development framework since its inception in 2015. It streamlines the process of building, testing, and deploying smart contracts on Ethereum. This framework is complemented by Ganache, which plays a crucial role in the creation, assessment, and deployment of smart contracts.
Within the Ethereum development community, these two toolkits represent an immensely popular technology stack.
ConsenSys has made it clear in a statement that Truffle and Ganache will remain accessible for the next three months to facilitate the migration of developers to HardHat and alternative solutions.
Furthermore, they will offer support through Zendesk, Truffle GitHub discussions, Ganache GitHub discussions, and the ConsenSys Discord throughout this transitional phase.
After this timeframe, the Truffle and Ganache codebases will be accessible through public archives.
Georgios Konstantopoulos, the Chief Technology Officer and Partner at Paradigm, noted that this represents the “closure of a chapter,” recalling that he crafted his initial smart contract using the Truffle Suite.
ConsenSys is redirecting its focus towards MetaMask Snaps and SDK to expedite its product development efforts, with the Truffle engineering team actively participating in these initiatives.
ConsenSys heralds the dawn of a fresh era with MetaMask Snaps and SDK
MetaMask “Snaps” is the term coined by ConsenSys for novel decentralized applications crafted by independent developers, expanding the capabilities of the MetaMask wallet. Simon Morris, ConsenSys’ Head of Strategy, likened the forthcoming MetaMask Snaps to the functionality of Apple’s App Store.
Simon expressed:
“We are committed to providing developers with the tools and APIs needed to create robust DApps using MetaMask, Infura, and Linea. This is why the Truffle engineering team will collaborate with these teams to expedite the development of their offerings for developers.”
Launched on September 12, MetaMask Snaps represent decentralized applications developed by third-party creators that enhance the functionality of the MetaMask wallet.
As per MetaMask’s documentation, Snaps are an open-source system that allows anyone to securely expand the capabilities of MetaMask, leading to the creation of new web3 user experiences.
These additions serve to introduce novel features to the MetaMask wallet, including the management of multiple wallets, connectivity to various blockchains, and interaction with decentralized exchanges.
ConsenSys is actively investing in these innovative tools and APIs, aiming to empower developers in constructing robust decentralized applications (dApps) utilizing MetaMask, Infura, and Linea. Although MetaMask Snaps are presently under development, their release is anticipated in the near future.
Recently, blockchain development firm ConsenSys introduced its inaugural ConsenSys Fellowship Program. This initiative is designed to provide essential support to startups and founders in the Web3 ecosystem.
The pre-accelerator program is structured to equip participants with the skills necessary to leverage the potential of Web3 technologies, particularly those integrated into the ConsenSys software suite, which encompasses MetaMask SDK, MetaMask Snaps, and Linea.
The inaugural cohort of the program will consist of 15 startups, engaging in a 12-week immersive experience. This program will involve hands-on activities, interactive workshops, and case studies, as outlined in ConsenSys’ official announcement.
