The Canton Development Stack

This page introduces the development stack you’ll use to build Canton applications. Understanding these components helps you see how everything fits together.

Stack Overview

Smart Contract Layer

Daml

Daml is Canton’s smart contract language—a functional language designed for multi-party workflows.

Aspect	Details
Paradigm	Functional programming
Type system	Strongly typed with inference
Compiles to	Daml-LF (ledger format)
Primary use	Define contracts, choices, authorization

Example:

template Token
  with
    owner : Party
    issuer : Party
    amount : Decimal
  where
    signatory issuer
    observer owner

    choice Transfer : ContractId Token
      with newOwner : Party
      controller owner
      do create this with owner = newOwner

Daml Compiler

The Daml compiler (dpm build) compiles Daml source code into DAR files (Daml Archives) that can be deployed to participant nodes.

# Compile Daml code
dpm build

# Output: .dar file containing compiled contracts

Application Layer

Backend Integration

Your backend connects to Canton via the Ledger API.

Option	Protocol	Best For
gRPC API	gRPC/Protobuf	High-performance, typed
JSON API	HTTP/JSON	Simpler integration, web-friendly

Language support:

TypeScript/JavaScript (code generation available via dpm codegen-js)
Java (code generation available via dpm codegen-java)
Any language via gRPC or JSON API

Community-supported bindings also exist for Python, Rust, and Go.

Code Generation

Generate type-safe bindings from your Daml code:

# Generate TypeScript bindings
dpm codegen-js .dar -o generated

# Generate Java bindings
dpm codegen-java .dar -o generated

Generated code provides:

Type-safe contract representations
Command submission helpers
Event handling utilities

Frontend

Use any web framework. Common choices:

Framework	Notes
React	Most common in Canton ecosystem
Vue	Good alternative
Angular	Enterprise preference

The frontend typically connects via your backend, which handles Ledger API communication.

Development Tools

Daml SDK

The Daml SDK bundles everything needed for Canton development:

Component	Purpose
Daml compiler	Compile smart contracts
Daml Script	Test and interact with contracts
Sandbox	Run a single Canton node for testing
Canton runtime	Run local participant nodes
Console	Interactive administration
Templates	Project scaffolding

dpm (Daml Package Manager)

Manage dependencies and build workflows:

# Initialize project
dpm init

# Add dependency by editing dam.yaml

# Build
dpm build

VS Code Extension

The Daml VS Code extension (Daml Studio) provides:

Syntax highlighting
Type checking
Error diagnostics
Code navigation
Integrated terminal

The extension is installed automatically with DPM. You need VS Code 1.87 or above. To launch Daml Studio, run dpm studio from your project directory.

Infrastructure Components

LocalNet

LocalNet is a local Global Synchronizer simulation for development:

# Start LocalNet (via QuickStart)
make setup
make build
make start

# Or run a single Canton node via Daml SDK
dpm sandbox

LocalNet provides:

Local synchronizer
Local participant node(s)
Test Canton Coin
No external dependencies

Participant Node

The participant node is the portion of the validator that hosts the Canton runtime which:

Hosts your parties
Stores contract data
Executes Daml logic
Exposes the Ledger API

In production, this runs as part of your validator.

PQS (Participant Query Store)

PQS provides SQL-based querying for complex data access:

Use Case	Ledger API	PQS
Simple queries	Good	Good
Complex aggregations	Limited	Excellent
Reporting	Difficult	Easy
Real-time updates	Excellent	Excellent

PQS maintains a PostgreSQL database synchronized with ledger state.

Development Workflow

Typical Flow

Steps

Write Daml contracts defining your business logic
Compile with daml build
Test locally with Daml Script or LocalNet
Build backend integration
Deploy to DevNet for integration testing
Promote through TestNet to MainNet

QuickStart Project

The cn-quickstart repository provides a complete example that includes build tooling:

Component	Technology
Contracts	Daml
Backend	TypeScript
Frontend	React
Infrastructure	Docker Compose LocalNet

# Clone and run
git clone https://github.com/digital-asset/cn-quickstart
cd cn-quickstart
direnv allow
cd quickstart
make setup
make build
make start

For more detailed instructions see Canton Network Quickstart Prerequisites and Installation.

Tool Comparison with Other Platforms

Purpose	Ethereum	Canton
Smart contracts	Solidity	Daml
Build tool	Hardhat/Foundry	daml build/dpm
IDE	Remix, VS Code	VS Code + Daml extension
Testing	Mocha, Foundry tests	Daml Script
Local network	Hardhat node, Anvil	LocalNet, Canton Sandbox
API	JSON-RPC	Ledger API (gRPC/JSON)
Indexing	The Graph	PQS

Next Steps

QuickStart

Run the example application.

Module 3: Daml

Start writing smart contracts.

Mental Models for Canton Canton for Blockchain Developers

⌘I

Get Started

Module 1: Understanding Canton

Module 2: Canton for Ethereum Developers

Module 3: Daml Smart Contracts

Module 4: Full-Stack Application Development

Module 5: Testing & Deployment

Module 6: Smart Contract Upgrades

Module 7: Production Best Practices

Deep Dives

Tooling

App Rewards

Troubleshooting

Reference

Stack Overview

Smart Contract Layer

Daml

Daml Compiler

Application Layer

Backend Integration

Code Generation

Frontend

Development Tools

Daml SDK

dpm (Daml Package Manager)

VS Code Extension

Infrastructure Components

LocalNet

Participant Node

PQS (Participant Query Store)

Development Workflow

Typical Flow

Steps

QuickStart Project

Tool Comparison with Other Platforms

Next Steps

QuickStart

Module 3: Daml

​Stack Overview

​Smart Contract Layer

​Daml

​Daml Compiler

​Application Layer

​Backend Integration

​Code Generation

​Frontend

​Development Tools

​Daml SDK

​dpm (Daml Package Manager)

​VS Code Extension

​Infrastructure Components

​LocalNet

​Participant Node

​PQS (Participant Query Store)

​Development Workflow

​Typical Flow

​Steps

​QuickStart Project

​Tool Comparison with Other Platforms

​Next Steps

QuickStart

Module 3: Daml

Stack Overview

Smart Contract Layer

Daml

Daml Compiler

Application Layer

Backend Integration

Code Generation

Frontend

Development Tools

Daml SDK

dpm (Daml Package Manager)

VS Code Extension

Infrastructure Components

LocalNet

Participant Node

PQS (Participant Query Store)

Development Workflow

Typical Flow

Steps

QuickStart Project

Tool Comparison with Other Platforms

Next Steps