# Getting Started ## Overview Harmony is a powerful blockchain that is EVM compatible with sharding and [staking](https://docs.harmony.one/home/validators) features. Developing on Harmony should feel very familiar for Ethereum developers, as Harmony is [fully Ethereum compatible](https://medium.com/harmony-one/launching-full-ethereum-compatibility-on-harmony-e181ed3c6a24) and inherits almost all the tools and libraries from Ethereum, like truffle, remix, web3js, etc. The simplest way to interact with Harmony blockchain is via JSON RPCs. #### Querying Harmony blockchain using JSON RPCs * JSON [RPCs](https://docs.harmony.one/home/developers/api) and `curl` command [examples](https://docs.harmony.one/home/developers/api/methods) To really explore the full potential of Harmony blockchain, creating a wallet is the next step. #### Creating a wallet (or ONE address) * Using [MetaMask](https://docs.harmony.one/home/general/wallets/browser-extensions-wallets/metamask-wallet) or [mathwallet](https://docs.harmony.one/home/wallets/browser-extensions-wallets/mathwallet) browser extensions. Any other [wallets](https://docs.harmony.one/home/wallets) can also be used. * Harmony [CLI](https://docs.harmony.one/home/wallets/harmony-cli), also provides a quick way to create/manage wallet, interact with blockchain, etc. {% hint style="info" %} Harmony uses [bech32](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Bech32) address format with `one1` prefix, however Ethereum style hex address can also be used. For example: `one1pdv9lrdwl0rg5vglh4xtyrv3wjk3wsqket7zxy` bech32 address is equivalent to `0x0B585F8DaEfBC68a311FbD4cB20d9174aD174016` hex address. Quick way to convert between formats is using explorer: , at the top you will find "ONE / ETH address" options. {% endhint %} #### Development environments * Several development environments exists: [mainnet, testnnet, localnet](https://docs.harmony.one/home/developers/api#development-environments) * Testnet faucet * [https://faucet.pops.one](https://faucet.pops.one/) * [https://chaindrop.org](https://chaindrop.org/) * Blockchain Explorers * Mainnet: [https://explorer.harmony.one](https://explorer.harmony.one/) * Testnet: [https://explorer.testnet.harmony.one](https://explorer.testnet.harmony.one/) We provide SDKs in several different languages. However most feature complete is our JavaScript SDK, which is the preferred language for DApp development. {% hint style="success" %} Feel free to ping any POPS member for issues on the testnet network/explorer/faucet on harmony discord @harmony-pops or telegram [P-OPS Team Validator](https://t.me/POPS_Team_Validator)\ Faucet can also be refilled by anyone by sending fund back to the contract address shown on {% endhint %} #### Using SDKs to interact with Harmony blockchain * About [SDKs](https://docs.harmony.one/home/developers/sdk) * The most popular is our [JavaScript SDK](https://github.com/harmony-one/sdk), which includes examples, documentation, and DApps developed in previous hackathons * Other SDKs include: Golang CLI, Java SDK, Python SDK * Note that, the Python SDK has only read-only features, meaning no transaction signing or smart contracts ### How to deploy a smart contract on Harmony? * [Tutorial](https://docs.harmony.one/home/developers/deploying-on-harmony) * [Github repo](https://github.com/harmony-one/Smart-Contract-Demo) * [Interacting with wallets programmatically](https://docs.harmony.one/home/developers/interacting-with-wallet-extensions) ### How to create a simple DApp on Harmony? One of the best ways to get started is to use [scaffold-eth](https://github.com/austintgriffith/scaffold-eth) which now has integrated Harmony support. {% embed url="" %} You can also use the [Harmony DApp template generator](https://github.com/harmony-one/harmony-dapp-template) to get started. {% embed url="" %} * [Tutorial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eigt2z8oWM\&t=4s) * [GitHub repo](https://github.com/harmony-one/token-faucet-demo-dapp) Many other examples and DApps can be found in the [SDK repo](https://github.com/harmony-one/sdk) and under [showcases](https://docs.harmony.one/home/showcases). ### Resources * [talk.harmony.one](https://talk.harmony.one/c/developers/31) - for reporting issues, asking questions, or interact with other developers * Harmony [GitHub](https://github.com/harmony-one) * Harmony dev [Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/Harmony_Devs/) * Discord channels: [#developers](https://discord.gg/bK3vb3chuv), [#development](https://discord.gg/Umfnga3bFU) * Harmony dev [Telegram](https://t.me/HarmonyDevs) ### Known Limitations * **Only cross-shard native token (ONE token) transfers** are allowed. No cross-shard for HRC20 or other contracts. Meaning, smart contracts are deployed on shard-0 and all contract interactions happen on shard-0. Contracts can still be deployed on other shards, however they won't be able to interact with contracts in other shards. We have cross-shard smart contract on our roadmap for 2023. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.harmony.one/home/developers/getting-started.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.