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Get started with testnets

Cardano testnets​

The Cardano testnets are your playgrounds when testing Cardano integration, building with transaction metadata, exploring native tokens or learning how to operate a stake pool.

The testnets are an essential part of the development process for Cardano, as they allow developers to test and refine their code before deploying it on the live network, ultimately improving reliability and security.

What testnet should I use?​

Preview Testnet​

  • The Preview Testnet is a testing environment used to showcase new features and functionality to the Cardano community before they are deployed on the Mainnet.
  • It allows developers and users to test and provide feedback on new features and changes before they are released to the wider community.
  • The Preview Testnet helps to ensure that new features are user-friendly and meet the needs of the community, ultimately improving the user experience on the Mainnet.
  • Leads Mainnet hard forks by at least 4 weeks.

You can download the current Cardano blockchain network configuration files for Preview Testnet here: The Cardano Operations Book > Preview Testnet.

Guild Network​

  • Guild Network is a community maintained public testnet network that is primarily useful for 'quick' testing for development/integrations, as it runs short 1-hour epochs.
  • The primary use case for this network is often short-term scope-specific testing, it has gone through previous forks on the Cardano chain with minimal data to ensure we do have different data objects across older forks. The faucet distribution for this network is manual and available with members across timezones based on request in support channel.
  • The timeline for forks lead Mainnet but are flexible depending on community needs that could be discussed on github (unless specific conditions require testing beforehand), and is useful for testing data against longer history (over 10K epochs).

You can download the current Cardano blockchain network configuration files for Guild Network here

Pre-Production Testnet​

  • The Pre-Production Testnet is a testing environment used to validate major upgrades and releases before deployment to the Mainnet.
  • It is a staging area where developers can simulate real-world scenarios and ensure that everything is working as expected before going live.
  • The preprod testnet helps to minimize the risk of bugs, security issues, and other problems that could negatively impact the Mainnet.
  • Hard forks at approximately the same time as Mainnet (within an epoch of each other)

You can download the current Cardano blockchain network configuration files for Pre-Production Testnet here: The Cardano Operations Book > Pre-Production Testnet.

Summary​

The Pre-Production Testnet is a more comprehensive testing environment used to validate major upgrades, while the Preview Testnet is a more targeted testing environment used to showcase new features and gather feedback from the community.

Where to get a testnet wallet?​

  • Lace Wallet is a lightweight wallet developed by IOG and supports both PreProd, Preview and Sancho testnets.
  • Eternl Wallet is a another lightweight wallet supporting both with PreProd, Preview and Sancho testnets.
  • Yoroi Nightly Wallet is a lightweight wallet developed by Emurgo and supports PreProd, PreView and Sancho testnet.
  • Typhon Wallet is a lightweight wallet developed by StricaHQ and supports PreProd testnet.
  • Flint Wallet is a lightweight wallet developed by dcSpark and supports PreProd testnet.
  • Ledger Nano S and Ledger Nano X are hardware wallets that support both PreProd and Preview testnets.
  • Cardano-wallet is a convenient way of using the cardano-wallet HTTP Application Programming Interface.

It's important to note that while all of these wallets support Cardano testnets, you will need to choose the testnet network option within the wallet when setting it up or switching to testnet, or choose the right version before you install a specific testnet wallet.

In preparation for the Chang Hardfork in the second half of 2024, the so-called Sancho Testnet has been in place since the end of 2023 in which all governance actions, functions and tools are tested. Here is a list of wallets that support Sanchonet.

Where to get test ada?​

Because the Cardano testnets are independent networks, separate from the Cardano mainnet, they require their own token: test ada (tAda).

Test ada is worth nothing. With it you can safely perform all tests free of charge - the reason why you want to develop on the testnets.

To get free test ada for Preprod or Preview, you need to visit: Cardano Testnet Faucet.

In depth explanation about Cardano Testnet Faucet can be found here.

Which block explorers can I use for the Cardano testnets?​

Which metadata explorers can I use for the Cardano testnets?​

What kind of monitoring tools are available for the testnets?​