Developer Guide: How to Build on Base Mainnet

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Base mainnet is now live for developers, marking a pivotal step toward opening the network to over a billion users by early August 2025. As a secure, low-cost, and developer-first Ethereum Layer 2 built on the OP Stack, Base offers a powerful foundation for building scalable decentralized applications (dApps). Whether you're launching a DeFi protocol, NFT marketplace, or Web3 social platform, Base provides the infrastructure, tools, and community support to bring your vision to life.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to start building on Base mainnet—from accessing RPC endpoints and bridging ETH, to leveraging key developer tools and earning exclusive recognition as a Genesis Builder.

Getting Started with Base Mainnet Development

Base's mainnet launch is rolling out in phases. The first phase enables developers to deploy smart contracts and prepare their dApps ahead of the public rollout. While the network is not yet open to all users, this early access window gives builders a head start in testing, optimizing, and securing their applications.

👉 Start building your next-gen dApp on a scalable, Ethereum-powered network today.

Accessing Base Network RPC

During this initial phase, developers can connect to Base’s mainnet RPC endpoint at developer-access-mainnet.base.org. This endpoint is rate-limited and intended for development and testing purposes only. For production-grade applications, we recommend either running your own node or using a trusted node provider.

Once Base launches publicly in early August 2025, the primary RPC URL will transition to mainnet.base.org. Be sure to update your configurations accordingly to ensure uninterrupted service.

Bridging ETH to Base

To deploy contracts on Base, you’ll need ETH on the network to cover gas fees. While there is no public bridge interface available yet, developers can use the Portal Proxy Contract to transfer ETH from Ethereum to Base.

Important: Only ETH should be sent through this contract—no other tokens are supported at this stage. Misuse may result in irreversible loss of assets.

For detailed instructions on how to interact with the Portal Proxy Contract, refer to the official Base documentation. Always test on testnet first and verify transaction details before executing on mainnet.

Essential Developer Tools Available on Base

Base has integrated with leading Web3 infrastructure providers to ensure a seamless development experience from day one.

Node Providers

Reliable node access is critical for dApp performance. Base supports multiple node providers, including:

These services allow you to query blockchain data efficiently and scale your application as user demand grows.

Smart Wallet Infrastructure

Secure account management is made easier with Safe Wallet (formerly Gnosis Safe), enabling multi-signature control over contract deployments and treasury management—ideal for teams and DAOs building on Base.

Block Explorers

Transparency and debugging are streamlined via two fully functional block explorers:

Use these tools to verify transactions, inspect smart contracts, and monitor network activity in real time.

Data Indexing Services

To power dynamic frontends and analytics dashboards, Base supports leading data indexing platforms:

These services let you query structured blockchain data using GraphQL or REST APIs, significantly reducing development time.

End-to-End Developer Platforms

Accelerate your build with Thirdweb, which offers SDKs, pre-built contracts, and no-code deployment tools tailored for Base. From token creation to NFT drops, Thirdweb lowers the barrier to entry for new developers.

Become a Genesis Builder: Earn Exclusive Recognition

Base is more than just a network—it's a movement to bring the next billion users onchain. To honor the pioneers driving this mission, Base has launched the Genesis Builder NFT, a non-transferable digital collectible designed by renowned artist Klara Vollstaedt, whose work has been featured at Christie’s.

This NFT serves as permanent recognition of your contribution to Base’s early ecosystem and grants access to dedicated support channels and future opportunities.

There are three tiers of Genesis Builder NFTs, awarded based on deployment timing:

How to Claim Your Genesis Builder NFT

To be eligible:

  1. Deploy your dApp contract on Base mainnet
  2. Verify and publish source code on Basescan
  3. Submit your contract address to Dune for decoding
  4. Connect your deployer wallet to builder.base.org and complete the form (<2 minutes)

After the public launch:

👉 Join the first wave of builders shaping the future of Web3—start deploying now.

Mint “Base Is for Builders” — A Commemorative NFT

Celebrate this milestone by minting the limited-edition "Base Is for Builders" NFT. This collectible honors those contributing to Base’s onchain future.

Minting details:

Steps to mint:

  1. Read the extraData field from Base’s genesis block
  2. Sign the message using EIP-191 (version 0x45)
  3. Submit the signature to the NFT contract’s mint function

You can find the contract address on Basescan or Blockscout. Exercise caution when using third-party tools—only trusted code should be used for signing operations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Base open to all users yet?
A: Not yet. The network is currently open to developers only. Full public access is expected in early August 2025.

Q: Can I use any token to pay for gas on Base?
A: No. Only ETH is accepted for gas fees on Base, consistent with Ethereum standards.

Q: What happens if I send non-ETH assets to the Portal Proxy Contract?
A: Doing so may result in permanent loss of funds. Only ETH should be bridged via this method at this time.

Q: Are there grants or funding opportunities for developers?
A: While not detailed in this release, Base has indicated ongoing support for builders through future programs. Stay tuned via official channels.

Q: Can I run my own node for production use?
A: Yes—and it’s recommended for production applications. Running your own node ensures reliability, security, and full control over API access.

Q: Is the Genesis Builder NFT tradable?
A: No. It is a non-transferable token designed solely as recognition for early contributors.

Final Thoughts: The Time to Build Is Now

Base represents a rare convergence of scalability, security, and developer empowerment. With robust tooling, strong backing from the Ethereum ecosystem, and a clear roadmap toward mass adoption, it’s an ideal environment for launching innovative dApps.

Whether you're an experienced Solidity engineer or a newcomer exploring Web3 development, now is the time to deploy your project, engage with the community, and become part of Base’s foundational chapter.

👉 Unlock your Web3 potential—build on a fast, secure, Ethereum-aligned Layer 2 platform.

Core Keywords: Base mainnet, Ethereum Layer 2, OP Stack, dApp development, Genesis Builder NFT, blockchain developers, Web3 infrastructure, smart contract deployment