Skip to main content
Version: 0.17

Quick Start

Welcome to Miden! This guide gets you up and running with the Miden blockchain by walking through the essential setup and core operations.

What is Miden?​

Miden is a privacy-focused, ZK-based blockchain that uses an actor model where each account is a smart contract. Unlike traditional blockchains where accounts simply hold balances, Miden accounts are programmable entities that can execute custom logic, store data, and manage assets autonomously.

Key concepts you'll encounter:

  • Accounts: smart contracts that hold assets and execute code
  • Notes: messages that exchange data and assets between accounts — also programmable
  • Assets: tokens that can be fungible or non-fungible
  • Privacy: accounts and notes can be public or private. Private accounts keep their state offchain, while private notes hide their details behind commitments

Getting started​

Before creating or funding an account, choose your network and keep its client state separate. Then follow these guides in order:

1. Set up

Installation

Install the Miden toolchain with midenup.

2. CLI

CLI basics

Essential Miden CLI commands — create a wallet and mint your first tokens.

3. Programmatic

Accounts

Create and manage Miden accounts programmatically in Rust and TypeScript.

4. Transfers

Notes & transactions

Miden's note-based transaction model for private asset transfers.

5. Query

Read storage

Query account storage data and interact with deployed smart contracts.

6. Build

Your first smart contract

Build, test, and deploy a smart contract on Miden using Rust.