Op-rbuilder Feedback Building Credible Layer Experience And Suggestions

Hey everyone! We've been diving deep into using op-rbuilder to construct the credible layer block builder, which is a crucial part of the Flashbots initiative. You can learn more about the credible layer here. We’re essentially working with a customized version of op-rbuilder, and I wanted to share our experiences, both the good and the areas where we see room for improvement. Huge shoutout to the team for creating such a solid groundwork to build upon!

Enhanced Documentation for op-rbuilder

The existing documentation for op-rbuilder is a great starting point, but there's definitely room to take it to the next level. Currently, key aspects like testing procedures, builder structure, and the rationale behind the architecture become fully apparent only after you've spent considerable time digging into the codebase. For newcomers and those already familiar, a comprehensive architecture document would serve as an invaluable resource. It could function both as a go-to reference guide and as a helpful tool for anyone venturing into the code for the first time. Think of it as a roadmap that guides you through the intricacies of the system.

A well-structured architecture document would shed light on the design principles, the relationships between different components, and the overall flow of data within op-rbuilder. It could cover topics such as the roles of different modules, the interaction between the builder and the execution environment, and the strategies employed for handling transactions. By providing a high-level overview of the system, the document would empower developers to grasp the big picture before diving into the details. This is especially crucial in complex projects where understanding the overall architecture is essential for making informed decisions and contributing effectively. Moreover, a detailed architecture document helps maintain consistency across the project, ensuring that everyone is on the same page regarding the intended design and functionality. This leads to better collaboration, fewer misunderstandings, and a smoother development process overall. It also plays a vital role in onboarding new team members, as it provides a structured way for them to learn about the project and get up to speed quickly. By investing in comprehensive documentation, the op-rbuilder team can significantly enhance the developer experience and foster a more vibrant and engaged community around the project.

To further enhance the documentation, consider including real-world examples and use cases. These can help developers understand how op-rbuilder can be applied in different scenarios and provide practical guidance on how to use its features effectively. For instance, you could include examples of how to configure the builder for different network conditions, how to optimize transaction selection, or how to integrate with external services. In addition, incorporating diagrams and visual aids can make the documentation more engaging and easier to understand. Visual representations of the system architecture, data flows, and component interactions can help developers grasp complex concepts more quickly. It's also important to keep the documentation up-to-date with the latest changes in the codebase. Regularly reviewing and updating the documentation ensures that it remains accurate and relevant, which is crucial for maintaining its value over time. By continuously improving the documentation, the op-rbuilder team can create a valuable resource that empowers developers to build robust and innovative solutions on top of the platform.

Streamlining Implementation of New Builders in op-rbuilder

Currently, creating a new builder within op-rbuilder is fairly straightforward, especially if you're using the standard and Flashbots builders as your reference points. However, I did encounter some hurdles when it came to satisfying trait bounds for both the service and payload builder. It felt a little like navigating a maze at times, trying to ensure all the pieces fit together perfectly. To address this, and to make things even more user-friendly, I'd suggest exploring a template builder approach for an SDK solution. Think of it as providing a pre-built structure with specific slots for customization.

With this approach, developers would primarily focus on implementing traits for ordering and execution, which are core to the builder's functionality. For instance, imagine I want to create a new builder that fundamentally alters the EVM execution loop. In the current setup, I'd have to implement a complete builder that implements execute_best_transactions. Ideally, I'd love to only concern myself with satisfying the function signature for execute_best_transactions and not have to worry about the rest of the boilerplate. This level of focus allows developers to concentrate their efforts on the core logic they want to implement, rather than getting bogged down in the details of the surrounding framework. It's about making the process more intuitive and less intimidating, especially for those who are new to the system. By abstracting away the complexities of the underlying infrastructure, the template builder approach empowers developers to build innovative solutions with greater ease and speed.

The example above highlights a potential change to the execute_best_transactions signature. My personal opinion is that architecting it so that we only need to implement &self-less functions would provide a superior user experience for an SDK. This would further simplify the process of creating custom builders by reducing the amount of context and state that developers need to manage. Essentially, it's about creating a more streamlined and developer-friendly interface that promotes innovation and experimentation. By minimizing the learning curve and making the development process more accessible, op-rbuilder can attract a wider range of developers and foster a more vibrant ecosystem. It's a win-win situation where both the platform and the community benefit from a more intuitive and efficient development experience. Ultimately, the goal is to empower developers to bring their ideas to life quickly and easily, and the template builder approach is a significant step in that direction.

Enhancing Local Development for op-rbuilder

For local development, debugging, and monitoring, a script that allows us to send transactions while the builder is running would be incredibly beneficial. Think of it as a handy tool that lets you quickly test and observe the builder in action. While Contender can be used for this purpose, the effort required to set it up can be a bit too much for a quick test. It's like needing a full-fledged construction crew just to hang a picture – sometimes you just need a hammer and a nail. Builder playground is another option for local testing, and it's a fine tool, but unfortunately, it doesn't work on Linux, which limits its accessibility for many developers.

The current testing framework is, without a doubt, spectacular and exceptionally useful for verifying core functionality. It's a robust system that provides a solid foundation for ensuring the reliability and stability of the builder. However, it's not ideally suited for situations where you want to observe the builder over an extended period. For instance, if you want to analyze how the builder handles different transaction patterns or monitor its performance under sustained load, the testing framework might not be the best tool for the job. In these scenarios, having a dedicated script or tool that allows for real-time interaction with the builder would be invaluable. This would enable developers to gain deeper insights into the builder's behavior and identify potential issues more effectively. It's about bridging the gap between unit testing and real-world usage scenarios, providing a more comprehensive and holistic approach to development and debugging. By offering a more streamlined and user-friendly way to interact with the builder locally, op-rbuilder can further empower developers to build robust and performant solutions.

Imagine the workflow: you write some code, fire up the local builder, and then, with a simple command, send a series of transactions to it. You can then observe how the builder processes these transactions, inspect the resulting blocks, and identify any potential bottlenecks or issues. This iterative feedback loop is crucial for rapid development and effective debugging. It allows developers to quickly experiment with different configurations, test various scenarios, and fine-tune their code for optimal performance. Moreover, a local development environment that closely mirrors the production environment can help prevent unexpected issues from arising when the code is deployed to a live network. This is particularly important in blockchain development, where even small bugs can have significant consequences. By providing a robust and flexible local development environment, op-rbuilder can help developers build more reliable and secure applications.

In conclusion, we're really impressed with the foundation that op-rbuilder provides, and we're excited about its potential. These suggestions are aimed at making it even more accessible and powerful for developers like us who are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the world of block building. Keep up the fantastic work, guys!