Clarity Smart Contract Language

Content

Clarity of Mind Foreword Introduction

Time-locked wallet

The block height can be used to perform actions over time. If you know the average block time, then you can calculate roughly how many blocks will be mined in a specific time frame. We will use this concept to create a wallet contract that unlocks at a specific block height. Such a contract can be useful if you want to bestow tokens to someone after a certain time period. Imagine that in the crypto-future you want to put some money aside for when your child comes of age. Naturally you would do this by means of a smart contract! Let us get started.

From our main projects folder, we create a new project.

clarinet new timelocked-wallet

Inside the timelocked-wallet into the folder, we create the contract files using the following command:

clarinet contract new timelocked-wallet

Features

Instead of starting to code straight away, let us take a moment to consider the features we want to have.

  • A user can deploy the time-locked wallet contract.
  • Then, the user specifies a block height at which the wallet unlocks and a beneficiary.
  • Anyone, not just the contract deployer, can send tokens to the contract.
  • The beneficiary can claim the tokens once the specified block height is reached.
  • Additionally, the beneficiary can transfer the right to claim the wallet to a different principal. (For whatever reason.)

With the above in mind, the contract will thus feature the following public functions:

  • lock, takes the principal, unlock height, and an initial deposit amount.
  • claim, transfers the tokens to the tx-sender if and only if the unlock height has been reached and the tx-sender is equal to the beneficiary.
  • bestow, allows the beneficiary to transfer the right to claim the wallet.

Constants & variables

Contracts should be as easy to read and maintainable as possible. We will therefore make generous use of constants to not only define the contract owner but also various error states. Errors can take the following forms:

  • Somebody other than the contract owner called lock.
  • The contract owner tried to call lock more than once.
  • The passed unlock height is in the past.
  • The owner called lock with an initial deposit of zero (u0).
  • Somebody other than the beneficiary called claim or lock.
  • The beneficiary called claim but the unlock height has not yet been reached.

Two data variables are needed to store the beneficiary and the unlock height as an unsigned integer. We will make the beneficiary an optional principal type to account for the uninitialised state of the contract. (That is, before the contract owner called lock.)

;; Owner
(define-constant contract-owner tx-sender)

;; Errors
(define-constant err-owner-only (err u100))
(define-constant err-already-locked (err u101))
(define-constant err-unlock-in-past (err u102))
(define-constant err-no-value (err u103))
(define-constant err-beneficiary-only (err u104))
(define-constant err-unlock-height-not-reached (err u105))

;; Data
(define-data-var beneficiary (optional principal) none)
(define-data-var unlock-height uint u0)

The error codes themselves are made up. They are meant to be processed by a frontend application for our contract. As long as we use the (err ...) response type, we know for sure that any possible changes will revert.

Implementing lock

The lock function does nothing more than transferring some tokens from the tx-sender to itself and setting the two variables. However, we must not forget to check if the proper conditions are set. Specifically:

  • Only the contract owner may call lock.
  • The wallet cannot be locked twice.
  • The passed unlock height should be at some point in the future; that is, it has to be larger than the current height.
  • The initial deposit should be larger than zero. Also, the deposit should succeed.

Most of those translate into assertions. The function is thus implemented as follows:

(define-public (lock (new-beneficiary principal) (unlock-at uint) (amount uint))
    (begin
        (asserts! (is-eq tx-sender contract-owner) err-owner-only)
        (asserts! (is-none (var-get beneficiary)) err-already-locked)
        (asserts! (> unlock-at block-height) err-unlock-in-past)
        (asserts! (> amount u0) err-no-value)
        (try! (stx-transfer? amount tx-sender (as-contract tx-sender)))
        (var-set beneficiary (some new-beneficiary))
        (var-set unlock-height unlock-at)
        (ok true)
    )
)

Notice how we can use the constants we defined before as the throw values for the assertions? That allows for some pretty legible code. The (as-contract tx-sender) part gives us the principal of the contract.

Implementing bestow

The bestow function will be straightforward. It checks if the tx-sender is the current beneficiary, and if so, will update the beneficiary to the passed principal. One side-note to keep in mind is that the principal is stored as an (optional principal). We thus need to wrap the tx-sender in a (some ...) before we do the comparison.

(define-public (bestow (new-beneficiary principal))
    (begin
        (asserts! (is-eq (some tx-sender) (var-get beneficiary)) err-beneficiary-only)
        (var-set beneficiary (some new-beneficiary))
        (ok true)
    )
)

Implementing claim

Finally, the claim function should check if both the tx-sender is the beneficiary and that the unlock height has been reached.

(define-public (claim)
    (begin
        (asserts! (is-eq (some tx-sender) (var-get beneficiary)) err-beneficiary-only)
        (asserts! (>= block-height (var-get unlock-height)) err-unlock-height-not-reached)
        (as-contract (stx-transfer? (stx-get-balance tx-sender) tx-sender (unwrap-panic (var-get beneficiary))))
    )
)

Manual testing

Time to hop into a clarinet console session to try out the contract.

Contracts
+-------------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| Contract identifier                                         | Public functions                     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+
| ST1HTBVD3JG9C05J7HBJTHGR0GGW7KXW28M5JS8QE.timelocked-wallet | (bestow (new-beneficiary principal)) |
|                                                             | (claim)                              |
|                                                             | (lock                                |
|                                                             |     (new-beneficiary principal)      |
|                                                             |     (unlock-at uint)                 |
|                                                             |     (amount uint))                   |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+--------------------------------------+

If the contract does not show up, then there was a bug or syntax error. Use clarinet check to track them down.

For the first test, the wallet will be locked for the first principal that comes after the deployer (wallet_1). We can pick a block height that is really low as console sessions always starts at a block height of zero. Here is the console interaction to lock the wallet until height 10, with an initial deposit of 100 mSTX:

>> (contract-call? .timelocked-wallet lock 'ST1J4G6RR643BCG8G8SR6M2D9Z9KXT2NJDRK3FBTK u10 u100)
Events emitted
{"type":"stx_transfer_event","stx_transfer_event":{"sender":"ST1HTBVD3JG9C05J7HBJTHGR0GGW7KXW28M5JS8QE","recipient":"ST1HTBVD3JG9C05J7HBJTHGR0GGW7KXW28M5JS8QE.timelocked-wallet","amount":"100"}}

That worked! Pay close attention to the STX transfer event from the tx-sender to the contract. The balance of the contract can be verified using the management command ::get_assets_maps.

>> ::get_assets_maps
+-------------------------------------------------------------+---------+
| Address                                                     | STX     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+---------+
| ST1HTBVD3JG9C05J7HBJTHGR0GGW7KXW28M5JS8QE (deployer)        | 999900  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+---------+
| ST1HTBVD3JG9C05J7HBJTHGR0GGW7KXW28M5JS8QE.timelocked-wallet | 100     |
+-------------------------------------------------------------+---------+

We then assume the identity of the beneficiary and see if we can claim the wallet. (Remember the full contract principal has to be specified in this case.)

>> ::set_tx_sender ST1J4G6RR643BCG8G8SR6M2D9Z9KXT2NJDRK3FBTK
tx-sender switched to ST1J4G6RR643BCG8G8SR6M2D9Z9KXT2NJDRK3FBTK
>> (contract-call? 'ST1HTBVD3JG9C05J7HBJTHGR0GGW7KXW28M5JS8QE.timelocked-wallet claim)
(err u105)

Trying to claim returns a (err u105). That is the error value we related to the unlock height not having been reached. So far so good.

The block height in the REPL does not increment by itself. Mining can be simulated by using ::advance_chain_tip. Let us see if we can claim the wallet after incrementing the block height by ten.

>> ::advance_chain_tip 10
10 blocks simulated, new height: 10
>> (contract-call? 'ST1HTBVD3JG9C05J7HBJTHGR0GGW7KXW28M5JS8QE.timelocked-wallet claim)
Events emitted
{"type":"stx_transfer_event","stx_transfer_event":{"sender":"ST1HTBVD3JG9C05J7HBJTHGR0GGW7KXW28M5JS8QE.timelocked-wallet","recipient":"ST1J4G6RR643BCG8G8SR6M2D9Z9KXT2NJDRK3FBTK","amount":"100"}}
(ok true)

The ok and STX transfer event prove that it worked. Feel free to check the asset maps for good measure.

Unit tests

We identify the following cases in order to write comprehensive unit tests. The smart contract:

  • Allows the contract owner to lock an amount.
  • Does not allow anyone else to lock an amount.
  • Cannot be locked more than once.
  • Cannot set the unlock height to a value less than the current block height.
  • Allows the beneficiary to bestow the right to claim to someone else.
  • Does not allow anyone else to bestow the right to claim to someone else. (Not even the contract owner.)
  • Allows the beneficiary to claim the balance when the block height is reached.
  • Does not allow the beneficiary to claim the balance before the block-height is reached.
  • Nobody but the beneficiary can claim the balance once the block height is reached.

Clarinet features built-in assertion functions to check if an expected STX transfer event actually happened. Those will be used to keep the unit tests succinct.

The test file for a contract is always found in the tests folder. It is named after the contract: timelocked-wallet_test.ts. Clear the file but be sure to keep the import statement at the top.

Testing lock

We start by writing the four tests that cover the different cases of lock.

Clarinet.test({
  name: "Allows the contract owner to lock an amount",
  async fn(chain: Chain, accounts: Map<string, Account>) {
    const deployer = accounts.get("deployer")!;
    const beneficiary = accounts.get("wallet_1")!;
    const amount = 10;
    const block = chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "lock", [
        types.principal(beneficiary.address),
        types.uint(10),
        types.uint(amount),
      ], deployer.address),
    ]);

    // The lock should be successful.
    block.receipts[0].result.expectOk().expectBool(true);
    // There should be a STX transfer of the amount specified.
    block.receipts[0].events.expectSTXTransferEvent(
      amount,
      deployer.address,
      `${deployer.address}.timelocked-wallet`,
    );
  },
});

Clarinet.test({
  name: "Does not allow anyone else to lock an amount",
  async fn(chain: Chain, accounts: Map<string, Account>) {
    const accountA = accounts.get("wallet_1")!;
    const beneficiary = accounts.get("wallet_2")!;
    const block = chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "lock", [
        types.principal(beneficiary.address),
        types.uint(10),
        types.uint(10),
      ], accountA.address),
    ]);

    // Should return err-owner-only (err u100).
    block.receipts[0].result.expectErr().expectUint(100);
  },
});

Clarinet.test({
  name: "Cannot lock more than once",
  async fn(chain: Chain, accounts: Map<string, Account>) {
    const deployer = accounts.get("deployer")!;
    const beneficiary = accounts.get("wallet_1")!;
    const amount = 10;
    const block = chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "lock", [
        types.principal(beneficiary.address),
        types.uint(10),
        types.uint(amount),
      ], deployer.address),
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "lock", [
        types.principal(beneficiary.address),
        types.uint(10),
        types.uint(amount),
      ], deployer.address),
    ]);

    // The first lock worked and STX were transferred.
    block.receipts[0].result.expectOk().expectBool(true);
    block.receipts[0].events.expectSTXTransferEvent(
      amount,
      deployer.address,
      `${deployer.address}.timelocked-wallet`,
    );

    // The second lock fails with err-already-locked (err u101).
    block.receipts[1].result.expectErr().expectUint(101);

    // Assert there are no transfer events.
    assertEquals(block.receipts[1].events.length, 0);
  },
});

Clarinet.test({
  name: "Unlock height cannot be in the past",
  async fn(chain: Chain, accounts: Map<string, Account>) {
    const deployer = accounts.get("deployer")!;
    const beneficiary = accounts.get("wallet_1")!;
    const targetBlockHeight = 10;
    const amount = 10;

    // Advance the chain until the unlock height plus one.
    chain.mineEmptyBlockUntil(targetBlockHeight + 1);

    const block = chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "lock", [
        types.principal(beneficiary.address),
        types.uint(targetBlockHeight),
        types.uint(amount),
      ], deployer.address),
    ]);

    // The second lock fails with err-unlock-in-past (err u102).
    block.receipts[0].result.expectErr().expectUint(102);

    // Assert there are no transfer events.
    assertEquals(block.receipts[0].events.length, 0);
  },
});

Testing bestow

bestow is a simple function that allows the beneficiary to transfer the right to claim. We therefore have to make sure that only the beneficiary can successfully call bestow.

Clarinet.test({
  name: "Allows the beneficiary to bestow the right to claim to someone else",
  async fn(chain: Chain, accounts: Map<string, Account>) {
    const deployer = accounts.get("deployer")!;
    const beneficiary = accounts.get("wallet_1")!;
    const newBeneficiary = accounts.get("wallet_2")!;
    const block = chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "lock", [
        types.principal(beneficiary.address),
        types.uint(10),
        types.uint(10),
      ], deployer.address),
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "bestow", [
        types.principal(newBeneficiary.address),
      ], beneficiary.address),
    ]);

    // Both results are (ok true).
    block.receipts.map(({ result }) => result.expectOk().expectBool(true));
  },
});

Clarinet.test({
  name:
    "Does not allow anyone else to bestow the right to claim to someone else (not even the contract owner)",
  async fn(chain: Chain, accounts: Map<string, Account>) {
    const deployer = accounts.get("deployer")!;
    const beneficiary = accounts.get("wallet_1")!;
    const accountA = accounts.get("wallet_3")!;
    const block = chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "lock", [
        types.principal(beneficiary.address),
        types.uint(10),
        types.uint(10),
      ], deployer.address),
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "bestow", [
        types.principal(deployer.address),
      ], deployer.address),
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "bestow", [
        types.principal(accountA.address),
      ], accountA.address),
    ]);

    // All but the first call fails with err-beneficiary-only (err u104).
    block.receipts.slice(1).map(({ result }) =>
      result.expectErr().expectUint(104)
    );
  },
});

Testing claim

For claim, we test the cases of the unlock height being reached or not, and that only the beneficiary can claim.

Clarinet.test({
  name:
    "Allows the beneficiary to claim the balance when the block-height is reached",
  async fn(chain: Chain, accounts: Map<string, Account>) {
    const deployer = accounts.get("deployer")!;
    const beneficiary = accounts.get("wallet_1")!;
    const targetBlockHeight = 10;
    const amount = 10;
    chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "lock", [
        types.principal(beneficiary.address),
        types.uint(targetBlockHeight),
        types.uint(amount),
      ], deployer.address),
    ]);

    // Advance the chain until the unlock height.
    chain.mineEmptyBlockUntil(targetBlockHeight);

    const block = chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "claim", [], beneficiary.address),
    ]);

    // The claim was successful and the STX were transferred.
    block.receipts[0].result.expectOk().expectBool(true);
    block.receipts[0].events.expectSTXTransferEvent(
      amount,
      `${deployer.address}.timelocked-wallet`,
      beneficiary.address,
    );
  },
});

Clarinet.test({
  name:
    "Does not allow the beneficiary to claim the balance before the block-height is reached",
  async fn(chain: Chain, accounts: Map<string, Account>) {
    const deployer = accounts.get("deployer")!;
    const beneficiary = accounts.get("wallet_1")!;
    const targetBlockHeight = 10;
    const amount = 10;
    chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "lock", [
        types.principal(beneficiary.address),
        types.uint(targetBlockHeight),
        types.uint(amount),
      ], deployer.address),
    ]);

    // Advance the chain until the unlock height minus one.
    chain.mineEmptyBlockUntil(targetBlockHeight - 1);

    const block = chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "claim", [], beneficiary.address),
    ]);

    // Should return err-unlock-height-not-reached (err u105).
    block.receipts[0].result.expectErr().expectUint(105);
    assertEquals(block.receipts[0].events.length, 0);
  },
});

Clarinet.test({
  name:
    "Does not allow anyone else to claim the balance when the block-height is reached",
  async fn(chain: Chain, accounts: Map<string, Account>) {
    const deployer = accounts.get("deployer")!;
    const beneficiary = accounts.get("wallet_1")!;
    const other = accounts.get("wallet_2")!;
    const targetBlockHeight = 10;
    const amount = 10;
    chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "lock", [
        types.principal(beneficiary.address),
        types.uint(targetBlockHeight),
        types.uint(amount),
      ], deployer.address),
    ]);

    // Advance the chain until the unlock height.
    chain.mineEmptyBlockUntil(targetBlockHeight);

    const block = chain.mineBlock([
      Tx.contractCall("timelocked-wallet", "claim", [], other.address),
    ]);

    // Should return err-beneficiary-only (err u104).
    block.receipts[0].result.expectErr().expectUint(104);
    assertEquals(block.receipts[0].events.length, 0);
  },
});

The full source code of the project can be found here: https://github.com/clarity-lang/book/tree/main/projects/timelocked-wallet.