> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.teqoin.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Deploy first contract

> Build, deploy, and verify a simple Solidity contract on TeQoin

# Deploy your first contract

Use this tutorial to deploy a simple Solidity contract to TeQoin with Hardhat. It is the fastest path from an empty folder to a working onchain contract.

## Before you start

You need:

* Node.js 20 or later
* A wallet with test ETH
* Access to the TeQoin RPC endpoint: `https://rpc.teqoin.io`
* Chain ID `420377`

If you still need funds, use the guidance in [/resources/faucet](/resources/faucet).

## Step 1: Create a Hardhat project

```bash theme={null}
mkdir teqoin-first-contract
cd teqoin-first-contract
npm init -y
npm install --save-dev hardhat @nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox dotenv
npx hardhat init
```

Choose a basic JavaScript project when Hardhat prompts you.

## Step 2: Add your wallet key

Create a `.env` file:

```bash theme={null}
PRIVATE_KEY=your_private_key_without_quotes
```

Add `.env` to `.gitignore` before you continue.

## Step 3: Configure the TeQoin network

Update `hardhat.config.js`:

```javascript theme={null}
require('@nomicfoundation/hardhat-toolbox');
require('dotenv').config();

module.exports = {
  solidity: '0.8.20',
  networks: {
    teqoin: {
      url: 'https://rpc.teqoin.io',
      chainId: 420377,
      accounts: process.env.PRIVATE_KEY ? [process.env.PRIVATE_KEY] : [],
    },
  },
};
```

## Step 4: Write a simple contract

Create `contracts/Counter.sol`:

```solidity theme={null}
// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.20;

contract Counter {
    uint256 public number;

    function increment() external {
        number += 1;
    }
}
```

## Step 5: Compile

```bash theme={null}
npx hardhat compile
```

Hardhat should generate artifacts without errors.

## Step 6: Create the deploy script

Create `scripts/deploy.js`:

```javascript theme={null}
const { ethers } = require('hardhat');

async function main() {
  const Counter = await ethers.getContractFactory('Counter');
  const counter = await Counter.deploy();

  await counter.waitForDeployment();

  console.log('Counter deployed to:', await counter.getAddress());
}

main().catch((error) => {
  console.error(error);
  process.exitCode = 1;
});
```

## Step 7: Deploy to TeQoin

```bash theme={null}
npx hardhat run scripts/deploy.js --network teqoin
```

Save the contract address from the terminal output. You will use it in your app and verification workflow.

## Step 8: Confirm the deployment

Use `cast` or a quick script to call the contract:

```bash theme={null}
cast call YOUR_CONTRACT_ADDRESS "number()(uint256)" --rpc-url https://rpc.teqoin.io
```

You should get `0` back from the first read.

## Next steps

* Verify the contract with the process in [/developers/verify-contract](/developers/verify-contract)
* Build a frontend in [/tutorials/build-dapp](/tutorials/build-dapp)
* Connect a wallet in [/tutorials/integrate-wallet](/tutorials/integrate-wallet)