CosmJS: A Roadmap to Enhancing Cosmos JavaScript Integration

In the dynamic world of blockchain development, staying ahead of the curve is not merely a goal but a necessity. To empower developers and foster innovation within the Cosmos ecosystem, Cosmology and its collaborators, including the CosmWasm team at Confio and the Cosmos SDK team at Binary Builders, have charted an ambitious roadmap for CosmJS.

This roadmap promises to elevate the library's capabilities, streamlining the integration of JavaScript-based clients with Cosmos SDK blockchains. In this article, we embark on a comprehensive journey through the strategic themes and proposed enhancements that will redefine the Cosmos development landscape.

CosmJS: A Bridge to Cosmos SDK Blockchains

CosmJS is more than a library; it's the vital conduit that enables seamless integration of JavaScript-based clients with Cosmos SDK blockchains. Whether you're a frontend developer crafting user interfaces or a server-side maestro orchestrating client applications, CosmJS offers indispensable tools to make the integration process smooth and efficient. It's the missing link in the Cosmos ecosystem, and the roadmap for CosmJS is poised to unlock its full potential.

Key Strategic Themes

To understand the evolution of CosmJS, let's dissect the core strategic themes that will shape its future:

"Proto Visual" Encoding for Messages

Current State: CosmJS currently relies on Amino encoding, a reliable method within the Cosmos ecosystem. While it has served well, it demands ongoing maintenance to ensure compatibility.

Proto Encoding: Another encoding method at CosmJS's disposal is Proto encoding, offering a more compact and efficient message encoding approach.

Proposed Improvements: CosmJS is set to introduce "proto visual" encoding, a method that promises robustness and feature-rich capabilities. While a challenging task, its implementation will empower developers with greater flexibility in crafting and encoding messages.

Keeping CosmJS Up-to-Date with Cosmos SDK

Current State: The Cosmos SDK is in a state of constant evolution, introducing new features and message types with each version.

Proposed Improvements: CosmJS commits to vigilant monitoring of Cosmos SDK releases and swift adaptation to accommodate new functionalities. Open lines of communication with the Cosmos SDK team ensure a harmonious alignment with development roadmaps.

Leaner Bundles and Code Optimization

Current State: CosmJS's present approach results in substantial bundle sizes, which can adversely affect page and app loading times.

Proposed Improvements: CosmJS aims to embark on a journey of refactoring the core library, trimming down bundle sizes to enhance developer-friendliness and efficiency. This optimization will ensure that developers can build lighter and faster applications within the Cosmos ecosystem.

Update Amino Encoders and Add Modules

Current State: The library presently requires manual encoding of amino encoders for each message, which results in maintenance overhead.

Proposed Improvements: CosmJS is set to revolutionize this process by automating encoding using Telescope v1.0. This initiative will not only simplify maintenance but also facilitate the addition of encoders for Cosmos SDK modules. It's a leap toward comprehensive support for all Cosmos SDK functionalities.

Adapter for Multiple Networks with Different Keys and Signing

Proposed Improvements: As the Cosmos ecosystem expands to encompass various networks and signing methods, CosmJS will craft an adapter pattern. This pattern will provide developers with the flexibility to seamlessly interact with different networks, including Evmos, Injective, Ethereum, and more, all within the Cosmos framework.

Leaner and Extensible Client for Telescope and Helpers

Proposed Improvements: To cater to evolving developer needs, CosmJS will embark on a complete rebuild of its client structure. It will bid farewell to redundant clients like SigningStargateClient, StargateClient, SigningCosmwasmClient, and CosmwasmClient in favor of a more versatile Signer and Client structure. This overhaul aims to boost developer productivity by streamlining client operations.

Eliminating Hard-Coded Helper Functions: The roadmap also envisions the removal of hard-coded helper functions such as sendTokens(), withdrawRewards(), and sendIbcTokens(). This change will empower developers with the freedom to customize and fine-tune their applications.

Telescope Helper Methods Plugin: In a move to simplify and expedite development, CosmJS plans to implement a Telescope transpiler plugin. This plugin will dynamically generate helper methods, allowing developers to cherry-pick the modules they need while maintaining a lean main client.

Pipeline for Signing and Broadcasting: The roadmap outlines a streamlined process for signing and broadcasting transactions, simplifying the development journey for CosmJS users.

Flexible Message Type Definition: CosmJS will leverage Telescope to offer developers an intuitive means of defining supported message types. This flexibility will empower developers to customize their applications with ease, adapting to the unique requirements of their projects.

Forging a Bright Future

The future of blockchain development within the Cosmos ecosystem is illuminated by the ambitious roadmap of CosmJS. These enhancements, ranging from advanced encoding methods to leaner bundles and a redefined client structure, promise a more professional and efficient development experience. As the blockchain landscape continues its rapid evolution, CosmJS ensures that developers can stay at the forefront, harnessing the full potential of the Cosmos SDK. It's not just a roadmap; it's a journey towards innovation, collaboration, and limitless possibilities in the world of blockchain.

Contributors to this Roadmap

This roadmap was prepared by the dedicated team at Cosmology, in collaboration with the CosmWasm team at Confio and the Cosmos SDK team at Binary Builders. Their collective expertise and commitment to the Cosmos ecosystem shine through in this visionary roadmap, paving the way for a future where blockchain development knows no bounds.