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project // Bitcoin · Infrastructure

Regtest Block Explorer

Index recent blocks and txs for a private chain. Pages for block, tx, and address with mempool pending list.

Intermediate2 weeks
./submit./open-lessonls ./roadmap

Overview

Explorers turn opaque hex into something humans can audit. Ship a focused web UI over regtest or an Esplora-compatible API.

Prefer clarity over novelty - explorers are trust surfaces. Show units clearly (BTC vs sats), distinguish confirmed vs mempool state, and link related entities (block ↔ tx ↔ address).

Required pages

  1. Home - latest blocks and fee overview
  2. Block - height, hash, tx count, merkle root, tx list
  3. Transaction - inputs, outputs, fee, confirmation status
  4. Search - lookup by txid, block hash, or address

Learning objectives

  • Fetch and display recent blocks and transactions
  • Render transaction details from raw or API data
  • Show basic mempool / fee snapshots in a web UI

Prerequisites

  • Regtest CLI Wallet
  • Blocks & Chain
  • Mempool & Fees

Required skills

Next.jsEsplora or RPC indexingTransaction decoding

Part of the bitcoin roadmap.

Architecture diagram

UI (Next.js) ──► Explorer API / Esplora ──► Bitcoin Core

Requirements

  • Navigable home, block, transaction, and search views
  • Works on desktop and mobile widths
  • Clear confirmed vs mempool state
  • Documented how to point at regtest Esplora or equivalent
  • Loading and error states for missing txids / offline API

Stretch goals

  • Mempool fee histogram or fee-rate bands on the home page
  • Address page with UTXO and history summaries
  • Live tip updates via polling or SSE
  • Dark/light theme toggle that preserves explorer readability

Recommended resources

Example repositories

Submission instructions

  • Publish the explorer UI repository with screenshots
  • Document the backend (Esplora, Core RPC proxy, or mock fixtures)
  • Demo search for block hash, txid, and a known miss (404)
  • Include a short loom/GIF walking home → block → transaction