Ethereum Accounts & EOAs — Your toolkit: getting ready to code

GoalSet up the basics so you can write and deploy Solidity: a wallet with testnet funds, a project framework (Hardhat or Foundry), and a trusted RPC.

Step-by-step

1. Install Node.js (for Hardhat) or Foundry
   Node: download from nodejs.org or use nvm. Foundry: run curl -L https://foundry.paradigm.xyz | bash && foundryup.
2. Create a wallet
   Use MetaMask or Rabby. Back up the seed. Add a testnet (Sepolia) network.
3. Get testnet ETH
   Use a faucet (Alchemy/Infura/Paradigm) to fund your test wallet with Sepolia ETH.
4. Start a project
   Hardhat: npm init -y && npm install --save-dev hardhat then npx hardhat to init. Foundry: forge init.
5. Add RPC + key
   Create a .env with RPC_URL= your provider endpoint and PRIVATE_KEY= your test wallet key (never commit this). Wire them into your config (Hardhat networks or Foundry remappings/cli flags).
6. Compile and run a sample
   Add a simple contract (Counter/Greeter), run npx hardhat compile or forge build, then run tests (npx hardhat test or forge test).
7. Deploy to testnet
   Write a small deploy script; run it with your test RPC and key. Confirm on an explorer.

ChecklistHave: Node or Foundry installed, funded testnet wallet, RPC URL, .env with secrets, and a sample project that compiles/tests/deploys.