Getting started

Start building on Filecoin. Choose a path based on what you want to build — from simple storage integrations to full smart-contract applications.

This guide helps you pick the right path based on what you want to build on Filecoin.

Choose your path

Store data on Filecoin

Filecoin provides multiple storage paths depending on how much control you need. Filecoin Onchain Cloud (FOC) is the recommended starting point. It provides a complete on-chain storage stack with warm storage, cryptographic verification, and automated payments through the Synapse SDK. If you prefer a managed service, storage onramps let you store data through simple APIs or web UIs without managing infrastructure. For operators who want to run their own PDP-enabled storage provider, see the PDP setup guide.

Path

Best for

Complexity

Filecoin Onchain Cloud (FOC)

Verifiable on-chain storage with FWSS, PDP, and Filecoin Pay via the Synapse SDK

Low

Storage onramps

Managed services with simple APIs or drag-and-drop UIs

Low

PDP

Run your own PDP-enabled storage provider (part of the FOC stack)

Medium

For a walkthrough of all storage options, see Upload to Filecoin.

Deploy smart contracts

Filecoin runs an EVM-compatible runtime, so you can write Solidity contracts and deploy them using familiar Ethereum tooling. Choose a development framework (Remix, Hardhat, or Foundry), get test tokens on Calibration, and deploy your first contract with the ERC-20 quickstart. Once deployed, verify your contract through a block explorer.

Filecoin contracts can also interact with the storage network directly. Use Filecoin.sol to access storage primitives from Solidity, or call built-in actors to work with miner, market, and power actors on-chain.

Integrate advanced features

After you have a working contract, Filecoin supports deeper integrations. Oracles bring off-chain data into your contracts. Cross-chain bridges let you move assets between Filecoin and other networks. FEVM indexers provide efficient on-chain data queries without running an archival node. Decentralized databases add structured data storage alongside Filecoin.

Browse more in the Advanced section or find solution-focused recipes in the Cookbook.