How do I start developing on the XRP Ledger (XRPL)?

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Accepted Answer

**Starting development on the XRP Ledger requires understanding its account-based architecture, transaction types, and available SDKs**—with xrpl.js (JavaScript) and xrpl-py (Python) being the most accessible entry points for most developers.

## Prerequisites

**Essential Skills:** Programming fundamentals in JavaScript/TypeScript or Python, JSON understanding, command line comfort, async/await patterns.

**Development Environment:** Install Node.js (18+) with npm for JavaScript, or Python 3.8+ with pip. Use VS Code or similar editor with good TypeScript/Python support.

**SDK Installation:**
```bash
# JavaScript
npm install xrpl

# Python
pip install xrpl-py
```

## First Application

**Connect to Testnet:**
```javascript
const xrpl = require('xrpl')

async function main() {
  const client = new xrpl.Client('wss://s.altnet.rippletest.net:51233')
  await client.connect()
  console.log('Connected to XRPL Testnet')
  
  // Create funded test wallet
  const wallet = (await client.fundWallet()).wallet
  console.log('Address:', wallet.address)
  console.log('Balance:', await client.getXrpBalance(wallet.address))
  
  await client.disconnect()
}
main()
```

**Send Transaction:**
```javascript
const payment = {
  TransactionType: 'Payment',
  Account: wallet.address,
  Destination: 'rDestinationAddress...',
  Amount: xrpl.xrpToDrops('10')
}

const prepared = await client.autofill(payment)
const signed = wallet.sign(prepared)
const result = await client.submitAndWait(signed.tx_blob)
```

## Core Concepts

**Account Model:** XRPL uses accounts with balances and sequence numbers (not Bitcoin's UTXO model). Minimum 10 XRP reserve required.

**Drops:** 1 XRP = 1,000,000 drops. All amounts use drops (integers) internally.

**Transaction Types:** Payments, trust lines, DEX offers, escrows, payment channels, NFTs.

**Finality:** 3-5 seconds for validated transactions with probabilistic finality.

## Learning Path

**Beginner:** Build payment bot, balance tracker, QR code generator.

**Intermediate:** DEX trading bot, token issuer, escrow scheduler, NFT marketplace.

**Advanced:** Payment channels, multi-sig wallets, hooks integration.

## Resources

- **Documentation:** https://xrpl.org/docs.html
- **SDK Docs:** https://js.xrpl.org/ (JavaScript), https://xrpl-py.readthedocs.io/ (Python)
- **Community:** XRPL Developers Discord, GitHub examples
- **Testnet Faucet:** https://faucet.altnet.rippletest.net/

**Best Practices:** Use testnet for development, never commit secrets, validate inputs, check transaction results, implement retry logic, use validated ledgers.

**Last updated: February 2026**

How do I start developing on the XRP Ledger (XRPL)?

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