To become a Web3 developer, learn JavaScript and Solidity, grasp EVM basics, ship dApps, and prove skills with on-chain code and audits.
Breaking into Web3 engineering is less about fancy talk and more about shipping code that runs on a public chain. You’ll learn the stack, build a few real projects, and show proof that your work functions in wallets, block explorers, and testnets. This guide lays out the skills, tools, and steps that move you from zero to paid work.
Web3 Skills Map: What To Learn And Why
Here’s a snapshot of the core areas. Use it as a checklist while you study and build.
| Area | What To Learn | Proof You Can Show |
|---|---|---|
| Language | JavaScript/TypeScript for dApp front ends; Solidity for smart contracts | Repo with tests; deployed contract addresses; working UI |
| EVM Basics | Transactions, gas, ABI, events, storage layout | Tx links on a testnet explorer with notes |
| Tooling | Hardhat or Foundry; Next.js or Vite for front end | Scaffolded app that compiles, tests, and deploys |
| Wallets | MetaMask, WalletConnect, signing, chain switching | UI flows that request signatures the right way |
| Standards | ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-1155; upgrade patterns | Tokens/NFTs minted on testnets with metadata |
| Security | Reentrancy, access control, overflow checks, fuzzing | Test suite catching common bugs; static analysis logs |
| Back Ends | Indexing (The Graph), serverless hooks, webhooks | Subgraph or cache layer with docs |
| Oracles | Data feeds, request/response flows | Contract pulling a price feed on testnet |
| DevOps | Env keys, RPC providers, CI for tests and linters | Pipeline badge and passing runs |
Steps To Start As A Web3 Developer
Lay Down The Prereqs
Get comfy with modern JavaScript, async patterns, and Node tooling. Learn Git the practical way: small branches, tight commits, and pull requests that others can read. A Web3 job still expects clean code, not only contract tricks.
Learn Smart Contracts The Right Way
Pick Solidity and one toolchain. Hardhat gives quick scripts, plugins, and a local node; Foundry brings speedy tests and fuzzing. Start with tiny contracts, write tests first, and push to a public repo. Keep functions small and clear. Avoid hidden storage writes and confusing modifiers.
Build A Full dApp
Wire a front end that talks to your contracts. Use a wallet connector, manage chain IDs, and surface errors to the user. Ship a token or an NFT minter, then a simple marketplace or a time-locked vault. Each project should teach a new pattern.
Prove It On-Chain
Deploy to a testnet, share contract addresses, and link the tx history. Add a README with screenshots, steps to run, and the exact commands you used to deploy. That proof lets hiring managers check your work in minutes.
Tooling Stack That Keeps You Moving
Contracts And Testing
Use Hardhat or Foundry for compilation, testing, and scripts. Mix unit tests with property-based tests and fuzzing. Add static analysis to catch unsafe patterns early. Keep your gas reports in version control so you can spot regressions.
Front End And Wallet UX
Pick Next.js or Vite. Add a wallet kit that handles connection and network prompts. Show clear states: connected, wrong network, pending tx, success, and failure. People judge your work by how smooth these moments feel.
Data And Indexing
Query events directly when it’s simple; reach for an indexer when you need history or aggregation. The Graph is a common choice. For small apps, a light server or a Cloudflare Worker that caches reads can cut RPC calls and speed up pages.
Security First: Bake It Into Your Routine
Security isn’t a last-week task. Add checks while you design the contract and while you code. Keep roles tight, prefer pull over push payments, and treat every external call as risky. Study common bugs so you can spot them before they land in prod.
You can learn patterns and known faults from the smart contract security pages on the Ethereum site and from the SWC Registry. Both will save you from repeat mistakes.
Testing That Catches Real Bugs
- Write unit tests for every branch and event.
- Use fuzz tests to shake edge cases.
- Simulate a malicious actor account in tests.
- Fail fast when roles or invariants break.
Checklists Before You Deploy
Freeze the compiler version, pin dependencies, and document every admin power. Set sane limits, pause hooks, and safe math checks. Fund a test wallet with a tiny amount first, then try unsafe actions on a fork to see how the contract reacts.
Project Ideas That Show Real Skill
Starter Level
- ERC-20 with cap and owner-less mint schedule.
- NFT minter that reveals metadata late.
- Time-locked vault with withdrawal windows.
Intermediate
- Simple AMM with swap fees and LP shares.
- On-chain raffle pulled from an oracle feed.
- Token-gated site with signed access tickets.
Advanced
- Upgradeable proxy pattern with audits and tests.
- Account abstraction demo with paymasters.
- Cross-chain message flow with retry logic.
Hiring Signals Recruiters Scan For
Proof Over Promises
Show links to deployed contracts, a live demo, and a repo with clear tests. Add short Loom clips where you walk through the code and test runs. Keep each project’s README sharp and current.
Clean Git, Clean Code
Use a standard style, a linter, and typed interfaces. Keep public functions minimal and events well named. Comments should explain why, not what. Short functions beat clever one-liners.
Security Mindset
Mark risky spots in the README. Document known trade-offs. Show a run from a static analyzer and a gas report. Add links to any external review you received, even if it’s small.
90-Day Plan: From Newcomer To First Contract
The timeline below is a pace that many self-taught devs can handle while working or studying.
| Week | Deliverable | Proof |
|---|---|---|
| 1–2 | Tutorial token and NFT contracts; read/write tests | Repo links; green test runs |
| 3–4 | Front end that mints and transfers; wallet flows | Live demo; screenshots; short screencast |
| 5–6 | Price-feed demo with an oracle | Tx links; README on data assumptions |
| 7–8 | Small marketplace or vault with role checks | Test suite with fuzzing; gas report |
| 9–10 | Security pass: static analysis, checklist, code freeze | Analyzer logs; release notes |
| 11–12 | Public release on testnet; feedback cycle; patch | Changelog; versioned deploy tags |
Portfolio That Builds Trust Fast
Make Review Easy
Pin a top repo that links to your best three projects. Use folders for contracts, tests, and front end. Include a Makefile or npm scripts so anyone can run tests with one command.
Show On-Chain Evidence
Add a table in each README with contract names, addresses, and tx hashes. Include a note if the address was upgraded, paused, or retired. That small habit shows that you track deployments like a pro.
Write Short Case Notes
Explain a bug you fixed, a gas win you measured, or a refactor that removed risk. Keep it tight and link to the diff. Hiring managers love crisp notes backed by code.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Skipping tests and “testing in prod.”
- Relying on unchecked external calls.
- Leaving admin powers wide open.
- Copy-pasting contracts you don’t fully grasp.
- Deploying without a rollback or pause plan.
Interview Prep That Reflects Real Work
Topics That Come Up Often
- How gas fees are calculated and why a tx can fail.
- What makes reentrancy possible and how to prevent it.
- How to design roles and limits safely.
- Event design for indexing and front-end reads.
Whiteboard To Code
Practice turning a plain spec into a tiny contract. Write the storage layout first, then events and modifiers, then functions. Add tests as you go. That mirrors day-to-day work.
Choose Your First Stack
Sticking to one stack at first keeps you from drowning in choices. The EVM world has the broadest learning material and job posts, so it’s a safe bet. If you like Rust and strict types, Solana can be a good fit. The lesson is the same either way: pick one chain, finish a project, and only then branch out.
EVM-Centric Path
Start with Solidity, Hardhat or Foundry, and a React front end. Learn ERC standards, events, and logs. Practice reading a block explorer. Track nonce, gas price, and revert reasons. Once you can deploy and verify code, repeat the flow on a second testnet.
Solana-Centric Path
Use Anchor, write small programs, and wire a front end with a wallet adapter. Learn accounts, PDAs, and CPI. Keep logs handy and use a devnet for feedback loops. The same habits carry over: tests first, small functions, tight access checks.
Study Routine That Delivers
Short daily sessions beat long weekend marathons. Set a 90-minute block: 30 minutes of reading, 45 minutes of coding, 15 minutes of notes. End each block by opening a tiny issue for next time so you never start cold. Keep a running CHANGELOG in the repo with one-line entries per day.
Measure Progress
- Commits: five or more per week with linked issues.
- Tests: new test cases added every two days.
- Deploys: at least one fresh testnet build each week.
These numbers aren’t magic; they keep you shipping. The goal is a steady drumbeat that turns into visible proof by day 90.
Freelance And Job Hunt Tactics
Lead with proof. Your outreach message should show a live demo, contract addresses, and a one-paragraph pitch of what you built. Offer a short paid task rather than a vague “let me help” note. Keep time zones clear, give tight estimates, and send progress clips.
Where Work Shows Up
- Hackathons and open bounties tied to live protocols.
- Issues on public repos where maintainers tag “good first issue.”
- Alumni or local dev groups that share gigs and code reviews.
Each small win compounds. A merged PR turns into a referral. A clean bounty turns into a retainer. Keep doors open by writing helpful comments and shipping on time.
Legal And Safety Basics
Read the terms of the networks and tools you use. Be clear about what your app does and what risks users take. Keep private keys away from repos and notes. Prefer a hardware wallet for admin keys and limit contract approvals on test accounts you use for demos.
Next Steps: Keep Learning And Ship
Pick one chain and one toolchain for a month and push steady commits. Study a well known open source contract set and trace each line until you can explain it to a friend. Then build a small clone with your own spin. Ship, get feedback, and repeat.