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Base L2 Features Guide

Base is built on the OP Stack, providing all the benefits of Layer 2 scaling while maintaining full Ethereum compatibility. This guide covers Layer 2 specific features, optimizations, and best practices for building on Base.

Layer 2 Architecture​

OP Stack Foundation​

Base leverages Optimism's proven OP Stack technology:

  • Optimistic Rollup: Transactions are assumed valid by default
  • Fraud Proof System: Invalid transactions can be challenged
  • Ethereum Security: Inherits Ethereum's security guarantees
  • EVM Compatibility: Run existing Ethereum contracts without modification

Key Components​

Ultra-Low Transaction Costs​

Gas Fee Structure​

Base's Layer 2 architecture dramatically reduces transaction costs:

// Example: Compare gas costs
const estimateBaseCosts = async () => {
  const provider = new ethers.JsonRpcProvider('https://api.blockeden.xyz/base/<your-api-key>');

  // Simple transfer
  const transferGas = 21000;
  const gasPrice = await provider.getFeeData();

  const baseCost = transferGas * gasPrice.gasPrice;
  console.log(`Transfer cost on Base: ${ethers.formatEther(baseCost)} ETH`);
  // Typically < $0.01

  // ERC-20 transfer
  const erc20Gas = 65000;
  const erc20Cost = erc20Gas * gasPrice.gasPrice;
  console.log(`ERC-20 transfer cost: ${ethers.formatEther(erc20Cost)} ETH`);
  // Typically < $0.02

  // Uniswap V3 swap
  const swapGas = 150000;
  const swapCost = swapGas * gasPrice.gasPrice;
  console.log(`DEX swap cost: ${ethers.formatEther(swapCost)} ETH`);
  // Typically < $0.05
};

L2 Gas Optimization​

// Optimize transactions for L2
const optimizeForBase = {
  // Use appropriate gas settings
  gasLimit: 1000000,        // Conservative estimate
  gasPrice: ethers.parseUnits('0.001', 'gwei'), // Very low gas price

  // Or use EIP-1559
  maxFeePerGas: ethers.parseUnits('0.01', 'gwei'),
  maxPriorityFeePerGas: ethers.parseUnits('0.001', 'gwei')
};

// Deploy contracts efficiently
const deployContract = async (factory, args) => {
  const contract = await factory.deploy(...args, {
    gasLimit: 3000000,
    gasPrice: ethers.parseUnits('0.001', 'gwei')
  });

  console.log(`Deployment cost: ~$0.005`); // Extremely low
  return contract;
};

Fast Finality​

Finality Types on Base​

  1. Soft Finality: ~2 seconds (sequencer confirmation)
  2. Safe Finality: ~12 seconds (published to L1)
  3. Hard Finality: ~7 days (challenge period complete)
// Monitor transaction finality
class FinalityTracker {
  constructor(provider) {
    this.provider = provider;
  }

  async trackFinality(txHash) {
    console.log(`Tracking finality for ${txHash}`);

    // 1. Wait for soft finality (sequencer)
    const receipt = await this.provider.waitForTransaction(txHash, 1);
    console.log(`✓ Soft finality: Block ${receipt.blockNumber}`);

    // 2. Wait for safe finality (L1 publication)
    const safeReceipt = await this.provider.waitForTransaction(txHash, 6);
    console.log(`✓ Safe finality: ${safeReceipt.confirmations} confirmations`);

    // 3. Hard finality (challenge period) - 7 days
    console.log(`✓ Hard finality: Available after 7-day challenge period`);

    return {
      softFinality: receipt.blockNumber,
      safeFinality: safeReceipt.blockNumber,
      hardFinalityTime: Date.now() + (7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000)
    };
  }
}

// Usage
const tracker = new FinalityTracker(provider);
const finality = await tracker.trackFinality('0x...');

Cross-Layer Communication​

L1 to L2 Deposits​

Deposit ETH or tokens from Ethereum to Base:

// Deposit ETH from L1 to L2
const depositETH = async (amount) => {
  // L1 Bridge Contract
  const l1BridgeAddress = '0x3154Cf16ccdb4C6d922629664174b904d80F2C35';
  const l1Bridge = new ethers.Contract(l1BridgeAddress, bridgeABI, l1Signer);

  const tx = await l1Bridge.depositETH(20000, '0x', {
    value: ethers.parseEther(amount),
    gasLimit: 100000
  });

  console.log(`Deposit transaction: ${tx.hash}`);

  // Monitor L2 for deposit completion
  await monitorL2Deposit(tx.hash);
};

// Monitor L2 for deposit completion
const monitorL2Deposit = async (l1TxHash) => {
  const l2Provider = new ethers.JsonRpcProvider('https://api.blockeden.xyz/base/<your-api-key>');

  // Check for deposit events on L2
  const filter = {
    address: '0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000010', // L2 Bridge
    topics: [
      '0x...', // Deposit event signature
      ethers.zeroPadValue(l1TxHash, 32)
    ]
  };

  const logs = await l2Provider.getLogs(filter);
  console.log(`Deposit completed on L2: ${logs.length > 0}`);
};

L2 to L1 Withdrawals​

Withdraw funds from Base back to Ethereum:

// Initiate withdrawal from L2 to L1
const initiateWithdrawal = async (amount, recipient) => {
  const l2BridgeAddress = '0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000010';
  const l2Bridge = new ethers.Contract(l2BridgeAddress, bridgeABI, l2Signer);

  const tx = await l2Bridge.withdraw(
    '0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000', // ETH
    ethers.parseEther(amount),
    20000,
    '0x',
    {
      gasLimit: 100000
    }
  );

  console.log(`Withdrawal initiated: ${tx.hash}`);

  // Wait for 7-day challenge period
  const completionTime = Date.now() + (7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000);
  console.log(`Withdrawal available for completion after: ${new Date(completionTime)}`);

  return {
    l2TxHash: tx.hash,
    completionTime: completionTime
  };
};

// Complete withdrawal on L1 (after challenge period)
const completeWithdrawal = async (withdrawalData) => {
  // This requires the withdrawal proof from L2
  const l1BridgeAddress = '0x3154Cf16ccdb4C6d922629664174b904d80F2C35';
  const l1Bridge = new ethers.Contract(l1BridgeAddress, bridgeABI, l1Signer);

  // Generate withdrawal proof (simplified)
  const proof = await generateWithdrawalProof(withdrawalData.l2TxHash);

  const tx = await l1Bridge.finalizeWithdrawal(proof, {
    gasLimit: 200000
  });

  console.log(`Withdrawal completed on L1: ${tx.hash}`);
};

Message Passing​

L1 to L2 Messages​

Send arbitrary data from Ethereum to Base:

// Send message from L1 to L2
const sendL1ToL2Message = async (target, message) => {
  const l1MessengerAddress = '0x866E82a600A1414e583f7F13623F1aC5d58b0Afa';
  const l1Messenger = new ethers.Contract(l1MessengerAddress, messengerABI, l1Signer);

  const tx = await l1Messenger.sendMessage(
    target,     // L2 contract address
    message,    // Encoded message data
    1000000,    // L2 gas limit
    {
      gasLimit: 200000
    }
  );

  console.log(`L1 to L2 message sent: ${tx.hash}`);
  return tx.hash;
};

// Receive message on L2
contract L2Receiver {
    address public constant L2_MESSENGER = 0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000007;

    modifier onlyFromL1(address l1Sender) {
        require(
            msg.sender == L2_MESSENGER &&
            IL2CrossDomainMessenger(L2_MESSENGER).xDomainMessageSender() == l1Sender,
            "Only from L1"
        );
        _;
    }

    function receiveMessage(bytes calldata data) external onlyFromL1(authorizedL1Contract) {
        // Process the message from L1
        processL1Message(data);
    }
}

L2 to L1 Messages​

Send messages from Base to Ethereum:

// Send message from L2 to L1
const sendL2ToL1Message = async (target, message) => {
  const l2MessengerAddress = '0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000007';
  const l2Messenger = new ethers.Contract(l2MessengerAddress, messengerABI, l2Signer);

  const tx = await l2Messenger.sendMessage(
    target,     // L1 contract address
    message,    // Encoded message data
    1000000,    // L1 gas limit
    {
      gasLimit: 100000
    }
  );

  console.log(`L2 to L1 message sent: ${tx.hash}`);

  // Message will be available on L1 after challenge period
  return {
    l2TxHash: tx.hash,
    availableOnL1After: Date.now() + (7 * 24 * 60 * 60 * 1000)
  };
};

// Relay message on L1 (after challenge period)
const relayL2ToL1Message = async (messageData) => {
  const l1MessengerAddress = '0x866E82a600A1414e583f7F13623F1aC5d58b0Afa';
  const l1Messenger = new ethers.Contract(l1MessengerAddress, messengerABI, l1Signer);

  // Generate message proof
  const proof = await generateMessageProof(messageData.l2TxHash);

  const tx = await l1Messenger.relayMessage(...proof, {
    gasLimit: 300000
  });

  console.log(`Message relayed on L1: ${tx.hash}`);
};

Precompiled Contracts​

Base includes several precompiled contracts for L2 functionality:

L2 Standard Bridge​

// L2 Standard Bridge: 0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000010
const L2_STANDARD_BRIDGE = '0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000010';

// Bridge tokens to L1
const bridgeToL1 = async (tokenAddress, amount, recipient) => {
  const bridge = new ethers.Contract(L2_STANDARD_BRIDGE, bridgeABI, signer);

  const tx = await bridge.withdrawTo(
    tokenAddress,
    recipient,
    amount,
    20000,
    '0x'
  );

  return tx.hash;
};

L2 Cross Domain Messenger​

// L2 Cross Domain Messenger: 0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000007
const L2_MESSENGER = '0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000007';

// Send message to L1
const sendMessageToL1 = async (target, data) => {
  const messenger = new ethers.Contract(L2_MESSENGER, messengerABI, signer);

  const tx = await messenger.sendMessage(target, data, 1000000);
  return tx.hash;
};

L2 Block Context​

// L2 to L1 Message Passer: 0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000016
const L2_MESSAGE_PASSER = '0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000016';

// Get L1 block information
const getL1BlockInfo = async () => {
  const provider = new ethers.JsonRpcProvider('https://api.blockeden.xyz/base/<your-api-key>');

  // L1 block number that this L2 block is based on
  const l1BlockNumber = await provider.call({
    to: '0x4200000000000000000000000000000000000015', // L1 Block contract
    data: '0x64ca5bb6' // l1BlockNumber()
  });

  return parseInt(l1BlockNumber, 16);
};

Performance Optimizations​

Batch Transactions​

// Batch multiple operations
const batchOperations = async (operations) => {
  const multicallAddress = '0x...; // Multicall contract
  const multicall = new ethers.Contract(multicallAddress, multicallABI, signer);

  const calls = operations.map(op => ({
    target: op.target,
    callData: op.data
  }));

  const tx = await multicall.aggregate(calls, {
    gasLimit: 500000
  });

  console.log(`Batched ${operations.length} operations: ${tx.hash}`);
  return tx;
};

Contract Deployment Optimization​

// Optimize contract deployment for L2
const deployOptimized = async (bytecode, args) => {
  const factory = new ethers.ContractFactory(abi, bytecode, signer);

  // Use CREATE2 for deterministic addresses
  const salt = ethers.randomBytes(32);
  const contract = await factory.deploy(...args, {
    gasLimit: 3000000,
    gasPrice: ethers.parseUnits('0.001', 'gwei'),
    // CREATE2 deployment
    salt: salt
  });

  await contract.waitForDeployment();

  const address = await contract.getAddress();
  console.log(`Contract deployed to: ${address}`);
  console.log(`Deployment cost: ~$0.01`);

  return contract;
};

Gas Estimation for L2​

// Accurate gas estimation for Base
const estimateL2Gas = async (contract, method, args) => {
  try {
    // Estimate gas
    const gasEstimate = await contract[method].estimateGas(...args);

    // Add buffer for L2 (usually not needed)
    const gasWithBuffer = gasEstimate * 110n / 100n;

    // Get current gas price
    const feeData = await contract.provider.getFeeData();

    const cost = gasWithBuffer * feeData.gasPrice;

    return {
      gasLimit: gasWithBuffer,
      gasPrice: feeData.gasPrice,
      estimatedCost: ethers.formatEther(cost),
      estimatedCostUSD: parseFloat(ethers.formatEther(cost)) * 2000 // Assume $2000/ETH
    };
  } catch (error) {
    console.error('Gas estimation failed:', error);
    throw error;
  }
};

// Usage
const gasInfo = await estimateL2Gas(contract, 'transfer', [recipient, amount]);
console.log(`Estimated cost: ${gasInfo.estimatedCost} ETH (~$${gasInfo.estimatedCostUSD.toFixed(4)})`);

Development Best Practices​

L2-Optimized Smart Contracts​

// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.19;

contract BaseOptimized {
    // Use packed structs to minimize storage
    struct UserData {
        uint128 balance;    // 16 bytes
        uint64 timestamp;   // 8 bytes
        uint32 count;       // 4 bytes
        uint32 flags;       // 4 bytes
        // Total: 32 bytes (1 slot)
    }

    mapping(address => UserData) public users;

    // Batch operations to save gas
    function batchUpdate(
        address[] calldata addresses,
        uint128[] calldata balances
    ) external {
        require(addresses.length == balances.length, "Length mismatch");

        for (uint i = 0; i < addresses.length; i++) {
            users[addresses[i]].balance = balances[i];
            users[addresses[i]].timestamp = uint64(block.timestamp);
        }
    }

    // Use events efficiently
    event BatchUpdated(address indexed user, uint128 balance);

    // Optimize for L2 gas patterns
    function efficientTransfer(address to, uint128 amount) external {
        UserData storage sender = users[msg.sender];
        UserData storage recipient = users[to];

        require(sender.balance >= amount, "Insufficient balance");

        // Single storage update pattern
        sender.balance -= amount;
        recipient.balance += amount;

        // Single event
        emit BatchUpdated(to, amount);
    }
}

Error Handling for L2​

// L2-specific error handling
class BaseErrorHandler {
  static async handleTransaction(txPromise) {
    try {
      const tx = await txPromise;
      const receipt = await tx.wait();

      if (receipt.status === 0) {
        throw new Error(`Transaction failed: ${tx.hash}`);
      }

      return {
        success: true,
        hash: tx.hash,
        gasUsed: receipt.gasUsed,
        effectiveGasPrice: receipt.effectiveGasPrice,
        cost: ethers.formatEther(receipt.gasUsed * receipt.effectiveGasPrice)
      };

    } catch (error) {
      return this.categorizeError(error);
    }
  }

  static categorizeError(error) {
    if (error.code === 'INSUFFICIENT_FUNDS') {
      return {
        success: false,
        type: 'INSUFFICIENT_FUNDS',
        message: 'Insufficient ETH for gas fees',
        suggestion: 'Bridge more ETH to Base'
      };
    }

    if (error.message.includes('gas required exceeds allowance')) {
      return {
        success: false,
        type: 'GAS_LIMIT',
        message: 'Gas limit too low',
        suggestion: 'Increase gas limit'
      };
    }

    if (error.message.includes('nonce too low')) {
      return {
        success: false,
        type: 'NONCE_ERROR',
        message: 'Transaction nonce error',
        suggestion: 'Reset account nonce'
      };
    }

    return {
      success: false,
      type: 'UNKNOWN',
      message: error.message,
      suggestion: 'Check transaction details and try again'
    };
  }
}

Monitoring and Analytics​

Transaction Analytics​

// Monitor Base transaction patterns
class BaseAnalytics {
  constructor(apiKey) {
    this.provider = new ethers.JsonRpcProvider(`https://api.blockeden.xyz/base/${apiKey}`);
    this.metrics = {
      totalTxs: 0,
      totalGasUsed: 0n,
      totalCost: 0n,
      avgGasPrice: 0n
    };
  }

  async analyzeBlock(blockNumber) {
    const block = await this.provider.getBlock(blockNumber, true);

    const blockMetrics = {
      number: block.number,
      timestamp: new Date(block.timestamp * 1000),
      txCount: block.transactions.length,
      gasUsed: block.gasUsed,
      gasLimit: block.gasLimit,
      utilization: Number(block.gasUsed * 100n / block.gasLimit),
      baseFeePerGas: block.baseFeePerGas
    };

    // Analyze individual transactions
    const txAnalysis = block.transactions.map(tx => ({
      hash: tx.hash,
      from: tx.from,
      to: tx.to,
      value: tx.value,
      gasLimit: tx.gasLimit,
      gasPrice: tx.gasPrice,
      cost: tx.gasLimit * tx.gasPrice
    }));

    return {
      block: blockMetrics,
      transactions: txAnalysis
    };
  }

  async getNetworkStats() {
    const latest = await this.provider.getBlockNumber();
    const block = await this.provider.getBlock(latest);

    return {
      latestBlock: latest,
      blockTime: 2, // ~2 seconds on Base
      gasPrice: await this.provider.getFeeData(),
      networkUtilization: Number(block.gasUsed * 100n / block.gasLimit)
    };
  }
}

Real-time Monitoring​

// Monitor Base network in real-time
class BaseMonitor {
  constructor(apiKey) {
    this.ws = new WebSocket(`wss://api.blockeden.xyz/base/${apiKey}`);
    this.stats = {
      blocksPerMinute: 0,
      avgTxsPerBlock: 0,
      avgGasUsed: 0,
      networkHealth: 'good'
    };

    this.setupMonitoring();
  }

  setupMonitoring() {
    this.ws.onopen = () => {
      console.log('Connected to Base monitoring');
      this.subscribeToBlocks();
    };

    this.ws.onmessage = (event) => {
      const data = JSON.parse(event.data);
      this.processBlockData(data);
    };
  }

  subscribeToBlocks() {
    const subscribe = {
      jsonrpc: '2.0',
      method: 'eth_subscribe',
      params: ['newHeads'],
      id: 1
    };

    this.ws.send(JSON.stringify(subscribe));
  }

  processBlockData(data) {
    if (data.method === 'eth_subscription') {
      const block = data.params.result;
      const blockNumber = parseInt(block.number, 16);
      const gasUsed = parseInt(block.gasUsed, 16);
      const gasLimit = parseInt(block.gasLimit, 16);

      console.log(`Block ${blockNumber}: ${gasUsed.toLocaleString()} gas used (${((gasUsed/gasLimit)*100).toFixed(1)}%)`);

      this.updateStats(block);
    }
  }

  updateStats(block) {
    // Update rolling statistics
    this.stats.avgGasUsed = parseInt(block.gasUsed, 16);
    this.stats.networkHealth = this.calculateHealth(block);

    console.log('Network Stats:', this.stats);
  }

  calculateHealth(block) {
    const gasUsed = parseInt(block.gasUsed, 16);
    const gasLimit = parseInt(block.gasLimit, 16);
    const utilization = gasUsed / gasLimit;

    if (utilization < 0.5) return 'excellent';
    if (utilization < 0.7) return 'good';
    if (utilization < 0.9) return 'moderate';
    return 'congested';
  }
}

Security Considerations​

L2 Security Model​

  1. Optimistic Assumptions: Transactions are assumed valid
  2. Challenge Period: 7-day window for fraud proofs
  3. Sequencer Risk: Single point of failure (being decentralized)
  4. Bridge Security: Cross-layer communication risks

Best Practices​

// Secure L2 development practices
class BaseSecurityUtils {
  // Validate L1 origin for cross-layer messages
  static validateL1Origin(messenger, expectedL1Sender) {
    return (
      msg.sender === messenger &&
      messenger.xDomainMessageSender() === expectedL1Sender
    );
  }

  // Safe withdrawal pattern
  static async safeWithdraw(bridge, token, amount, recipient) {
    // Check withdrawal limits
    const dailyLimit = await bridge.dailyWithdrawalLimit(token);
    const todayWithdrawn = await bridge.todayWithdrawn(token);

    if (todayWithdrawn + amount > dailyLimit) {
      throw new Error('Exceeds daily withdrawal limit');
    }

    // Execute withdrawal
    const tx = await bridge.withdraw(token, amount, recipient, 20000, '0x');
    return tx;
  }

  // Monitor for fraud
  static async monitorFraud(l2TxHash) {
    // Implementation would monitor for fraud proof challenges
    console.log(`Monitoring fraud proofs for ${l2TxHash}`);
  }
}

Next Steps​

  • Explore the Base JSON-RPC API Reference for complete API documentation
  • Learn about Base WebSocket Guide for real-time data streaming
  • Check out the Base API Quick Start Guide for basic integration
  • Visit BlockEden.xyz Dashboard to monitor your usage

Resources​

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