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Version: 1.x

Getting Started with @yellow-org/sdk

The TypeScript SDK for Clearnode payment channels provides both high-level and low-level operations in a unified client.

Migrating from v0.5.3?

If you are migrating from @layer-3/nitrolite@v0.5.3, consider using the @yellow-org/sdk-compat package first. It maps the familiar v0.5.3 API to the v1.0.0 runtime with minimal code changes.

Installation​

npm install @yellow-org/sdk
# or
yarn add @yellow-org/sdk
# or
pnpm add @yellow-org/sdk

Requirements​

  • Node.js 20.0.0 or later
  • TypeScript 5.3.0 or later (for development)
  • A running Clearnode instance or access to a public node
  • A blockchain RPC endpoint for on-chain operations via checkpoint()

Quick Start​

import { Client, createSigners, withBlockchainRPC } from '@yellow-org/sdk';
import Decimal from 'decimal.js';

async function main() {
  // 1. Create signers from private key
  const { stateSigner, txSigner } = createSigners(
    process.env.PRIVATE_KEY as `0x${string}`
  );

  // 2. Create unified client
  const client = await Client.create(
    'wss://clearnode.example.com/ws',
    stateSigner,
    txSigner,
    withBlockchainRPC(80002n, 'https://polygon-amoy.alchemy.com/v2/KEY')
  );

  try {
    // 3. Build and co-sign deposit state off-chain
    const state = await client.deposit(80002n, 'usdc', new Decimal(100));
    console.log('Deposit state version:', state.version);

    // 4. Settle on-chain via checkpoint
    const txHash = await client.checkpoint('usdc');
    console.log('On-chain tx:', txHash);

    // 5. Transfer (off-chain only, no checkpoint needed)
    const transferState = await client.transfer(
      '0xRecipient...',
      'usdc',
      new Decimal(50)
    );

    // 6. Low-level operations on the same client
    const config = await client.getConfig();
    const balances = await client.getBalances(client.getUserAddress());
  } finally {
    await client.close();
  }
}

main().catch(console.error);

Creating a Client​

The Client is the single entry point for all operations.

import { Client, createSigners, withBlockchainRPC } from '@yellow-org/sdk';

// Step 1: Create signers from private key
const { stateSigner, txSigner } = createSigners('0x1234...');

// Step 2: Create unified client
const client = await Client.create(
  wsURL,
  stateSigner,  // For signing channel states
  txSigner,     // For signing blockchain transactions
  withBlockchainRPC(chainId, rpcURL),  // Required for checkpoint()
  withHandshakeTimeout(10000),          // Optional: connection timeout
);

// Step 3: (Optional) Set home blockchain for assets
// Required for transfer() operations that may trigger channel creation
await client.setHomeBlockchain('usdc', 80002n);

Signer Types​

The SDK provides two signer types:

EthereumMsgSigner (for channel states)​

Signs channel state updates with EIP-191 "Ethereum Signed Message" prefix. Used for all off-chain operations.

import { EthereumMsgSigner } from '@yellow-org/sdk';
import { privateKeyToAccount } from 'viem/accounts';

// From private key
const signer = new EthereumMsgSigner('0x...');

// From viem account
const account = privateKeyToAccount('0x...');
const signer2 = new EthereumMsgSigner(account);

EthereumRawSigner (for blockchain transactions)​

Signs raw hashes directly without prefix. Used for on-chain operations like deposits, withdrawals, and channel creation.

import { EthereumRawSigner } from '@yellow-org/sdk';

const signer = new EthereumRawSigner('0x...');

createSigners() Helper​

Creates both signers from a single private key:

import { createSigners } from '@yellow-org/sdk';

const { stateSigner, txSigner } = createSigners('0x...');

Key Concepts​

Two-Step Pattern​

Payment channels use versioned states signed by both user and node:

// Step 1: Build and co-sign state off-chain
const state = await client.deposit(chainId, 'usdc', amount);

// Step 2: Settle on-chain (when needed)
const txHash = await client.checkpoint('usdc');

Channel Lifecycle​

  1. Void — No channel exists
  2. Create — deposit() creates channel on-chain via checkpoint()
  3. Open — Channel active; can deposit, withdraw, transfer
  4. Challenged — Dispute initiated (advanced)
  5. Closed — Channel finalized (advanced)

TypeScript Conventions​

// Use bigint literals for chain IDs
const polygonAmoy = 80002n;

// Use Decimal.js for amounts
import Decimal from 'decimal.js';
const amount = new Decimal(100);

// Viem Address type for wallet addresses
import type { Address } from 'viem';
const wallet: Address = '0x1234...';

Next Steps​