Virtual TestNets

Tenderly Virtual TestNets are simulated blockchain networks designed to mirror live production networks for Web3 development and testing. They provide developers with risk-free environments that continuously synchronize with real network states, allowing interaction without the need for real cryptocurrency or assets. This makes them suitable for local development, continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), staging, and public testing of decentralized applications (dapps).

Users can interact with Virtual TestNets through a visual dashboard and an enriched JSON-RPC interface, which includes both a standard Public RPC for typical dapp integration and an Admin RPC offering advanced "god mode" capabilities for full network customization. Features include an unlimited faucet for native and ERC-20 tokens, a publicly shareable block explorer, and real-time state synchronization with parent networks. These capabilities enable developers to deploy, verify, and debug smart contracts, simulate transactions, and manage wallets in a controlled environment.

What sets Virtual TestNets apart is their ability to replicate live network conditions with fast transaction processing and comprehensive tooling, including integration with popular frameworks like Hardhat and Foundry, and UI libraries such as Wagmi and RainbowKit. This allows teams to replace unreliable public testnets with stable, production-based environments that support collaborative development, iterative testing, and staging. Developers can also fork Virtual TestNets to create isolated instances for parallel development workflows.

Getting started involves launching a Virtual TestNet via the dashboard or REST API, adding it to wallets like MetaMask, deploying contracts, and optionally setting up CI workflows with GitHub Actions. Comprehensive documentation and integration guides are available to streamline onboarding and maximize the utility of Virtual TestNets in various development pipelines.