🛠️ Next for ethui stacks: subgraph support
A subgraph needs PostgreSQL, IPFS, and an indexer node. We're working to manage all of it inside a stack automatically.
The tricky part: handling anvil reverts correctly across all components.
github.com/ethui/stacks
stacks.ethui.dev
💬 Question for ethui stacks users:
What's your primary use case?
a) Internal QA testing
b) User testing (fresh wallet problem)
c) Protocol integration (mainnet fork)
d) Something else
We want to understand how teams use it.
Reply below 👇
🔧 Hot take: using MetaMask for development is the wrong tool
MetaMask is excellent for consumers. It's designed for production chains: state never reverts, nonces always increment, maximum safety guardrails.
None of that applies during development. Developer tooling should fit developer workflows.
🔄 Anvil-aware sync engine
ethui detects anvil via anvil_nodeInfo, then switches to a dedicated sync process:
✅ Tracks chain head continuously
✅ Handles reverts + full restarts
✅ Re-syncs tx history and contracts in real-time
✅ Nonces recalculated from chain state
🎬 ethui stacks in 30 seconds
Private, persistent development chains for staging, user interviews, and more.
Same speed as Hardhat/Anvil. Fork live networks. Free, open source, self-hostable.
Create a stack, add it to your wallet, start building.
stacks.ethui.dev
💬 Quick question for Ethereum devs:
When testing locally with anvil, what breaks your flow most?
a) Nonce issues after restarts
b) Setting up / switching test wallets
c) Distributing gas to test accounts
d) Slow deploy → test cycles
Asking because we build around these problems.
Reply 👇
🏗️ ethui architecture: two pieces, one flow
1️⃣ Desktop app — all interactions happen here
2️⃣ Browser extension (Chrome/Firefox) — passive, just connects browser to the app
Logic stays in the desktop. The extension is a bridge.
This is what enables multi-browser support.
🖥️ ethui: macOS and Linux support
4 steps to get started:
1. Download binary
2. Run onboarding
3. Install extension (Chrome or Firefox)
4. Connect to a web3 app
The extension and the desktop app communicate. All interactions happen in the desktop UI.
buff.ly/Ej7X94t
🐛 MetaMask breaks when anvil restarts
MetaMask tracks nonces locally. When anvil reverts, those nonces no longer match the chain → MetaMask fails to sign valid transactions.
ethui calculates nonces from chain state every time. Restart anvil freely.
MetaMask is built for consumers. ethui is built for developers.
At the surface, ethui replaces MetaMask. Underneath, it handles what MetaMask can't:
✅ Survives anvil restarts
✅ Nonce from chain state, not cache
✅ Test wallets (plaintext, impersonator)
✅ Built-in contract explorer
🎯 Developer-first wallet
ethui is built specifically for Ethereum developers, not consumers:
✅ Local-first (anvil integration)
✅ Forge/Hardhat native support
✅ Multi-wallet/chain testing
✅ Desktop app architecture
Not competing with MetaMask. Different problems.
ethui.dev
🏠 Self-host ethui stacks
Prefer to run it yourself? ethui stacks is open source:
✅ Deploy on your infrastructure
✅ Full data control
✅ No vendor lock-in
✅ Same features
Free hosted OR self-host.
github.com/ethui/stacks
stacks.ethui.dev
⚙️ Open source development
ethui is fully open source:
✅ Transparent development
✅ Community contributions
✅ Self-hostable
✅ Auditable code
✅ Extensible
No vendor lock-in. Built in the open.
github.com/ethui/ethui
ethui.dev
📋 Automatic ABI indexing
ethui scans compilation artifacts automatically:
✅ Forge/Hardhat ABIs detected
✅ No manual imports
✅ Auto-updates on recompile
✅ Instant contract UI
Compile → interact. Zero config.
ethui.dev/docs/feature...
🛡️ Auto-impersonation with safety
ethui auto-impersonates addresses when needed, but ONLY on anvil:
✅ Auto-unlock addresses for testing
✅ No manual cheatcode calls
✅ Local anvil only (safety)
❌ Disabled on mainnet/testnets
Convenience with safety.
ethui.dev/docs/feature...
🎭 Impersonator wallet type
Test from any address without private keys.
ethui impersonator wallets:
✅ Become any address
✅ Test whale interactions
✅ Simulate DAO multisigs
✅ Works with anvil_impersonateAccount
Test scenarios impossible to reproduce normally.
ethui.dev/docs/wallets...
🔑 Private key wallet import
Import raw private keys directly into ethui:
✅ From hex string
✅ scrypt encryption
✅ Password protected
✅ Quick setup
For known test keys or quick access scenarios.
Different wallet types for different needs.
ethui.dev/docs/wallets...
📁 Import keystore wallets
Have existing keystore JSON files? Import them directly into ethui.
Standard Geth/MEW keystore format:
✅ Import existing wallets
✅ Password encrypted
✅ No recreation needed
Bring your wallets over.
ethui.dev/docs/wallets...
🔐 Ledger hardware wallet support
ethui integrates with Ledger devices.
Ready to test beyond local anvil?
✅ Connect Ledger
✅ Hardware-secured signing
✅ Production-grade security
Plaintext wallets for local dev. Ledger for serious testing.
ethui.dev/docs/wallets...
💻 Desktop app architecture
ethui is native desktop software (not a browser extension):
✅ Multi-browser support
✅ Survives browser restarts
✅ Better security isolation
✅ Persistent state
Built for developer workflows.
ethui.dev
🔗 Per-website chain connections
Each website connects to its own chain simultaneously:
localhost:3000 → anvil
app.uniswap.org → mainnet fork
testdapp.io → sepolia
All at once. Zero manual switching.
Test multi-chain scenarios properly.
ethui.dev/docs/feature...
🌐 Multi-browser, multi-chain support
ethui connects to Chrome AND Firefox at once.
Different dApps → different chains simultaneously.
Testing cross-chain? One browser on mainnet fork, another on L2.
No profile switching or browser restarts.
ethui.dev/docs/feature...
💻 Local-first development with ethui
Works directly with local anvil:
✅ No cloud dependencies for core dev
✅ Fast feedback loops
✅ Offline-capable
✅ Full environment control
Test and build without internet. Deploy when ready.
ethui.dev
🆔 Unique chain IDs in ethui stacks
Every stack gets its own chain ID for:
✅ Replay attack protection
✅ Easy contract identification
✅ Different logic per testnet
Signatures are chain-specific. Test custom chain logic safely.
Private testnets:
🔐 HD Wallets in ethui
Standard mnemonic multi-address wallets:
✅ BIP39 standard (12/24 words)
✅ scrypt encryption
✅ Password strength enforcement (zxcvbn)
✅ Multiple addresses
For when you need production-grade security beyond plaintext test wallets.
💾 Cloud-persistent anvil with ethui stacks
Your testnet doesn't disappear when you close your laptop:
✅ Share with teammates
✅ Demo to stakeholders
✅ Resume testing anytime
✅ Live documentation
No more "works on my machine" problems.
Persistent testnets:
⚡ Fast mode in ethui: Skip transaction reviews
Traditional flow: Deploy → popup → review → confirm → wait → test
ethui fast mode: Deploy → test
No confirmation friction during development.
Get instant feedback. Focus on building.
ethui.dev/docs/feature...
🔑 Lazy loaded private keys in ethui
No forced password on startup. We only ask when a signature is needed.
Then we cache it securely in-memory (using the secrets crate for isolation) for a few minutes.
Faster workflow. Security when needed.
ethui.dev/docs/feature...
🔮 Transaction simulations in ethui
Using revm (same as forge), ethui simulates transactions locally:
✅ Success/revert preview
✅ Token transfer details
✅ State change validation
Works on local anvil without 3rd-party services like Tenderly.
Debug before you submit.
ethui.dev/docs/feature...
