May 2025
June 2025
July 2025
📊 Summary ⚙️ Technical 🔍 Research

Technical Activity Report

June 2025

June 2025 focused on production readiness for Web Authenticator with unprecedented 14 PRs establishing comprehensive authentication, signing, security, and infrastructure capabilities. Coordinated WebAuthn cryptographic foundation work across WharfKit stack (6 PRs across 3 repositories) demonstrated mature architectural approach to shared infrastructure. Unicove entered consolidation period with 6 PRs addressing browser compatibility and visual refinements. Anchor Android received significant modernization work replacing deprecated React Native patterns. Late-month creation of sextant-v2 repository signals major infrastructure investment in next-generation account creation platform.

Key Achievements:

  • Started development on Sextant v2 rebuilding account creation infrastructure for multiple products
  • Added transaction signing to Web Authenticator completing fundamental wallet capability
  • Added Apple login to Web Authenticator expanding authentication options
  • Improved Web Authenticator security with redirect verification, CORS handling, and identity proofs
  • Established WebAuthn cryptographic support across WharfKit libraries enabling passwordless authentication ecosystem-wide
  • Migrated Web Authenticator to shared wharfkit/webauthn library reducing code duplication

Technical Significance: June completed critical production readiness milestone for Web Authenticator with transaction signing, comprehensive security hardening, and infrastructure maturation. The coordinated WebAuthn cryptographic foundation work across WharfKit Antelope (4 PRs) and wharfkit/webauthn (1 PR), combined with Web Authenticator’s migration to the shared library, demonstrates exceptional multi-repository coordination establishing passwordless authentication foundation across the entire ecosystem. Sextant v2 creation signals strategic investment in shared account creation infrastructure reducing duplication across products.

Table of Contents

Cross-Repository Insights

Web Authenticator Migration to Shared WharfKit WebAuthn Library

Integration: Web Authenticator migrated from internal WebAuthn implementation to shared wharfkit/webauthn library coordinated with library capability expansion.

Technical Relationship: Web Authenticator originally implemented WebAuthn functionality internally. WharfKit webauthn library provides shared, tested WebAuthn implementation. Migration required library enhancements to support Web Authenticator’s needs.

How They Work Together:

  • WharfKit webauthn (PR #2): Added recover and verify methods needed by Web Authenticator
  • Web Authenticator (PR #46): Migrated to use wharfkit/webauthn library replacing internal implementation
  • Coordinated Development: Library enhancements merged before Web Authenticator migration ensuring capabilities available
  • Code Consolidation: Eliminates duplicate WebAuthn implementations reducing maintenance burden

Migration Benefits:

  1. Shared Codebase: Bug fixes and improvements in library benefit all consumers
  2. Reduced Duplication: Web Authenticator no longer maintains separate WebAuthn implementation
  3. Ecosystem Consistency: All WharfKit-based applications use same WebAuthn handling ensuring consistent behavior
  4. Testing: Shared library receives broader testing through multiple consumer usage

Benefit: Demonstrates mature architectural pattern of consolidating common functionality into shared libraries. Web Authenticator gains reliability from well-tested library implementation while reducing maintenance burden. Library gains real-world consumer validation. Pattern establishes foundation for other products to use shared WebAuthn implementation.

Technical Details:

  • WharfKit webauthn: PR #2 - Added recover and verify (link)
  • Web Authenticator: PR #46 - Switch to wharfkit webauthn (link)
  • Merged mid-June 2025 (wharfkit PR #2 on June 11, web-authenticator PR #46 on June 14)

WharfKit Antelope WebAuthn Cryptographic Foundation

Integration: Coordinated 4-PR effort across wharfkit/antelope established WebAuthn cryptographic support enabling passwordless authentication throughout ecosystem.

Technical Relationship: WharfKit Antelope provides core cryptographic primitives and key handling for the entire WharfKit ecosystem. Adding WebAuthn support required implementing WebAuthn-specific signature formats, key validation, and public key recovery.

How They Work Together:

  • PR #208: Added WebAuthn signature verification support
  • PR #210: Implemented key validation preventing crashes from invalid WebAuthn keys
  • PR #211: Enhanced public key recovery for WebAuthn signatures
  • PR #213: Fixed security issue in WA PublicKey key recovery
  • Foundation Layer: Provides cryptographic operations used by wharfkit/webauthn library and Web Authenticator

Cryptographic Stack:

  1. wharfkit/antelope: Low-level WebAuthn cryptography (signature verification, key validation, public key recovery)
  2. wharfkit/webauthn: WebAuthn protocol implementation using antelope cryptographic primitives
  3. Web Authenticator: Wallet implementation using wharfkit/webauthn library
  4. Other WharfKit Apps: Can now support WebAuthn-based wallets using shared foundation

Benefit: Establishes passwordless authentication foundation across entire WharfKit ecosystem. Any application using WharfKit can now support WebAuthn-based wallets. Coordinated 4-PR effort demonstrates methodical approach to adding complex cryptographic capabilities - validation, recovery, verification, and security hardening completed systematically rather than single large PR. Foundation enables Web Authenticator, future WebAuthn wallets, and any WharfKit-powered application to support passwordless authentication.

Technical Details:

  • wharfkit/antelope PR #208: WebAuthn verify support (link)
  • wharfkit/antelope PR #210: Key validation (link)
  • wharfkit/antelope PR #211: Enhanced public key recovery (link)
  • wharfkit/antelope PR #213: Fixed WA PublicKey security issue (link)
  • All merged June 2025

Sextant v2: Shared Account Creation Infrastructure

Integration: New sextant-v2 repository created as shared account creation service for Web Authenticator, Anchor (desktop/mobile), MetaMask Snap, and Unicove.

Technical Relationship: Multiple Greymass products currently implement separate account creation workflows leading to code duplication and inconsistent experiences. Sextant v2 provides centralized account creation service all products can consume.

How They Work Together:

  • Sextant v2 Service: Provides account creation API handling blockchain interaction, resource management, and account setup
  • Web Authenticator: Will consume Sextant v2 API for account creation replacing internal implementation
  • Anchor Desktop/Mobile: Will integrate Sextant v2 for consistent account creation across platforms
  • MetaMask Snap: Will use Sextant v2 for blockchain account creation
  • Unicove: Will integrate Sextant v2 for account creation workflows

Service Architecture:

  • Centralized Logic: Account creation business logic in single service
  • API-Based: Products consume via HTTP API
  • Resource Management: Handles CPU/NET/RAM requirements for new accounts
  • Multi-Network: Supports account creation across Antelope chains
  • Consistent Experience: Same account creation flow across all products

Benefit: Eliminates code duplication across multiple products. Account creation improvements benefit all consumers simultaneously. Consistent user experience across products - users get same reliable account creation whether using Web Authenticator, Anchor, or Unicove. Centralized service easier to maintain, test, and improve than multiple separate implementations. Enables rapid product launches - new products can integrate account creation without rebuilding infrastructure.

Status: Repository created late June 2025. Initial development stage, not yet integrated into products.

Technical Details:

  • Sextant v2: https://github.com/greymass/sextant-v2 (created June 26, 2025)
  • Target consumers: Web Authenticator, Anchor Desktop, Anchor Mobile (iOS/Android), MetaMask Snap, Unicove
  • See previous Sextant service for historical context (deprecated)

greymass/web-authenticator

Repository: https://github.com/greymass/web-authenticator
Previous Context: See May 2025 for mnemonic recovery and Ledger integration. See April 2025 for dashboard and security handshakes.

Activity This Month: 14 PRs merged (highest ever monthly activity)

Changes This Month

June represented Web Authenticator’s most active month with production readiness sprint establishing complete feature set. Work spanned five key areas: expanded authentication (Apple login), core functionality (transaction signing), security hardening (redirect validation, CORS, identity proofs), infrastructure improvements (database abstraction, server-side API), and library consolidation (WharfKit webauthn migration). The 14 PRs signal imminent production launch preparation.

Pull Requests

Authentication Expansion

#32 - add apple login (link)
Merged: 2025-06-02

Description: Integrated Sign in with Apple authentication providing OAuth-based login option alongside WebAuthn biometric authentication.

Impact: Expands authentication options beyond WebAuthn-only approach. Apple login widely trusted by iOS users, providing familiar authentication flow reducing onboarding friction. Complements WebAuthn biometric authentication with traditional OAuth for users preferring established identity providers.

Core Wallet Functionality

#33 - signing (link)
Merged: 2025-06-03

Description: Implemented transaction signing functionality enabling Web Authenticator to sign blockchain transactions.

Impact: Critical production feature completing fundamental wallet capability. Transaction signing enables users to approve and authorize blockchain actions through Web Authenticator. Completes wallet functionality beyond account creation established in earlier months. Essential for production deployment.

Security Hardening

#42 - Dynamically retrieve redirect url and add security verification (link)
Merged: 2025-06-06

Description: Implemented dynamic redirect URL retrieval with security verification validating redirect destinations.

Impact: Critical security enhancement preventing phishing attacks and unauthorized redirects. Dynamic redirect handling with verification ensures users only redirected to trusted destinations after authentication. Essential for production security posture preventing malicious redirect exploits.

#50 - fix: skip auth check for OPTIONS requests (link)
Merged: 2025-06-23

Description: Fixed CORS handling by skipping authentication checks for OPTIONS preflight requests sent by browsers before actual cross-origin requests.

Impact: Critical CORS fix enabling cross-origin API requests from dapps. Browsers send OPTIONS preflight requests to check CORS permissions before actual requests. Without this fix, preflight requests fail authentication checks blocking legitimate API usage. Essential for external application integration.

#45 - Sending identity proof on login (link)
Merged: 2025-06-24

Description: Implemented identity proof transmission during login providing cryptographic proof of user identity.

Impact: Strengthens authentication security. Identity proof enables applications to cryptographically verify user owns claimed account without trusting authentication server. Prevents impersonation and improves security model through cryptographic verification rather than trust-based authentication.

Infrastructure Improvements

#48 - db methods abstraction (link)
Merged: 2025-06-14

Description: Abstracted database methods into reusable layer creating clean separation between data access logic and business logic.

Impact: Improves code architecture and maintainability. Database abstraction makes code easier to test, understand, and modify. Enables future database changes without affecting business logic. Foundation for scalable, maintainable codebase. Standard pattern for production-grade applications.

#52 - Support server-side usage for api client methods (link)
Merged: 2025-06-24

Description: Enhanced API client methods to support server-side usage. Previously client methods only worked in browser environments.

Impact: Enables Web Authenticator API usage from server environments. Important for backend integrations, testing infrastructure, and administrative tools. Expands API flexibility beyond browser-only usage enabling full-stack integration scenarios.

Account Creation and Workflows

#41 - Better account creation (link)
Merged: 2025-06-14

Description: Improved account creation workflow with enhanced user experience and error handling.

Impact: Improves first-time user experience. Account creation is critical onboarding moment directly impacting conversion rates and user satisfaction. Better workflow reduces confusion and failed attempts improving overall adoption.

#43 - fix account create api (link)
Merged: 2025-06-09

Description: Fixed account creation API to properly report errors on failure. Previously errors weren’t surfaced correctly making debugging difficult.

Impact: Critical reliability improvement. Proper error reporting essential for troubleshooting account creation issues. Helps users understand why account creation failed enabling better support and self-service resolution.

#47 - fix accounts detail and backup route error (link)
Merged: 2025-06-14

Description: Fixed routing errors in accounts detail page and backup flows preventing users from accessing account information and backup features.

Impact: Ensures critical features remain accessible. Account details and backup functionality essential for user confidence and account security. Routing fixes prevent users from getting stuck during important workflows.

Library Consolidation

#46 - switch to wharfkit webauthn (link)
Merged: 2025-06-14

Description: Migrated from internal WebAuthn implementation to WharfKit webauthn library consolidating WebAuthn handling into shared, well-tested library.

Impact: Reduces code duplication and maintenance burden. WharfKit webauthn library represents shared, tested implementation used across ecosystem. Migration ensures Web Authenticator benefits from library improvements and bug fixes. Improves reliability through shared codebase reducing implementation drift.

Related: Coordinates with wharfkit/webauthn PR #2 which added recover and verify capabilities.

Configuration and Integration

#53 - Try to load sextant variables statically (link)
Merged: 2025-06-23

Description: Modified configuration loading to load sextant variables statically rather than dynamically improving performance and reliability.

Impact: Static loading reduces runtime overhead and potential configuration errors. Ensures required sextant configuration available at application startup. More predictable and debuggable than dynamic loading.

Related: Sextant is shared account creation infrastructure. Sextant-v2 repository created June 25 representing next-generation platform.

#44 - Adjust redirection logic for api (link)
Merged: 2025-06-09

Description: Refined API redirection logic improving redirect handling and flow control.

Impact: Improves API integration experience. Proper redirect logic ensures smooth authentication flows when Web Authenticator used as authentication provider for external applications. Complements redirect security verification from PR #42.

UI Polish

#51 - Fix height update in RicardianContract when tab becomes visible (link)
Merged: 2025-06-30

Description: Fixed UI rendering bug where Ricardian contract display didn’t update height correctly when tab became visible after being hidden.

Impact: Improves visual presentation of contract terms. Ricardian contracts display human-readable terms for transactions. Proper height calculation ensures contracts display correctly without clipping or scrolling issues providing better UX for reviewing transaction terms.

Technical Context

June’s 14 PRs represent unprecedented activity level for Web Authenticator signaling focused production readiness sprint:

  1. Authentication Options: Apple login (PR #32) broadens authentication beyond WebAuthn providing familiar OAuth flow for iOS users.

  2. Core Functionality: Transaction signing (PR #33) completes fundamental wallet capability enabling full transaction workflow.

  3. Security Foundation: Four PRs (#42, #50, #45, #44) established comprehensive security posture with redirect validation, CORS handling, identity proofs, and secure API redirection.

  4. Infrastructure Maturity: Database abstraction (PR #48) and server-side API support (PR #52) provide scalable foundation. Sextant configuration (PR #53) improves reliability.

  5. Account Management: Three PRs (#41, #43, #47) refined account creation and access workflows improving reliability and user experience.

  6. Library Consolidation: Migration to WharfKit webauthn (PR #46) reduces duplication and improves maintainability through shared implementation.

  7. UI Quality: Ricardian contract fix (PR #51) demonstrates attention to polish details.

After May’s mnemonic recovery and Ledger integration, June completes production requirements with comprehensive feature set, security hardening, and infrastructure improvements. The 14 PRs in single month (highest ever for repository) indicates coordinated production launch preparation.

greymass/unicove

Repository: https://github.com/greymass/unicove
Previous Context: See May 2025 for light theme, contract upload, and action summaries. See April 2025 for token swap and Vaulta rebrand.

Activity This Month: 6 PRs merged

Changes This Month

June represented consolidation period for Unicove following May’s major feature additions (light theme, contract upload, action summaries). Work focused on polish and compatibility with Safari/WebKit fixes, mobile responsive design improvements, visual enhancements to Vaulta homepage, network logo updates, and environment variable configuration.

Pull Requests

#488 - Safari fixes (link)
Merged: 2025-06-06

Description: Fixed layout and styling issues specific to Safari and WebKit browsers addressing browser-specific rendering inconsistencies.

Impact: Ensures consistent experience across browsers. Safari represents significant portion of user base especially on iOS/macOS. WebKit-specific fixes prevent broken layouts and visual glitches for Safari users ensuring professional appearance across all major browsers.

#490 - style: update summary styling (link)
Merged: 2025-06-06

Description: Updated summary element styling to improve readability on smaller viewports fixing vertical layout issues on mobile devices.

Impact: Improves mobile experience. Summary elements display transaction and action information - proper mobile styling ensures critical content remains readable on phones and tablets. Builds on May’s action summaries work ensuring mobile users benefit from improved transaction readability.

#486 - refactor: image background for vaulta homepage (link)
Merged: 2025-06-06

Description: Replaced gradient on Vaulta homepage with high-quality image using LQIP (Low Quality Image Placeholder) pattern. LQIP loads tiny placeholder first then replaces with full image.

Impact: Improves homepage visual quality and loading experience. LQIP pattern provides instant visual feedback while full image loads preventing blank/jarring appearance. Professional, high-quality homepage image creates better first impression than gradient. Better perceived performance through progressive loading.

#491 - Updated Jungle4 A token to use Jungle logo (link)
Merged: 2025-06-11

Description: Updated Jungle4 testnet token to display proper Jungle logo instead of generic placeholder.

Impact: Improves testnet user experience. Proper logos help users identify tokens reducing confusion. Important for developers testing on Jungle4 testnet who benefit from realistic logo display matching production behavior.

#482 - Next Release (link)
Merged: 2025-06-11

Description: Release PR bundling changes for next Unicove version. Standard release process coordination.

Impact: Coordinates deployment of accumulated changes. Release PRs provide point-in-time snapshot of deployed version enabling rollback if needed.

#497 - Add ENV (link)
Merged: 2025-06-26

Description: Added environment variable configuration enabling runtime configuration without code changes.

Impact: Improves deployment flexibility. Environment variables allow different configurations for development, staging, and production without modifying code. Standard practice for configurable deployments supporting April’s flexible network configuration architecture.

Technical Context

June’s 6 PRs reflect consolidation period after May’s intensive feature development (18 PRs including light theme, contract upload, action summaries):

  1. Browser Compatibility: Safari/WebKit fixes (PR #488) address significant user segment ensuring cross-browser consistency.

  2. Mobile Optimization: Summary styling improvements (PR #490) ensure responsive design works well on phones/tablets.

  3. Visual Quality: Homepage image enhancement (PR #486) improves first impression with professional visual treatment and progressive loading.

  4. Developer Experience: Testnet logo updates (PR #491) improve development/testing workflows.

  5. Configuration Flexibility: Environment variable support (PR #497) continues April’s flexible configuration patterns.

Lower activity level normal after major feature months - June focused on quality, compatibility, and polish rather than new features. Work ensures May’s additions function well across platforms and browsers.

greymass/anchor-mobile-android

Repository: https://github.com/greymass/anchor-mobile-android
Previous Context: See May 2025 for Vaulta migration and stability improvements. See April 2025 for UI refinements and error handling.

Activity This Month: 4 PRs merged to dev branch

Changes This Month

June continued stability focus with crash prevention, publish script fixes, React Native modernization, and major architectural update implementing recovery feature using nested navigator pattern. Recovery implementation represents significant modernization effort replacing deprecated dependencies.

Pull Requests

#746 - fix: prevent crash from missing animated node connection (link)
Merged: 2025-06-03

Description: Fixed crash caused by attempting to connect animated node that doesn’t exist preventing fatal exception in React Native animation system.

Impact: Critical stability fix preventing app-wide crashes. Animated node errors can cause complete app crashes. Fix prevents crash allowing app to continue functioning even if animation setup fails improving overall stability.

#747 - Fixed the publish script (link)
Merged: 2025-06-24

Description: Corrected issues with Android app publish/deployment script ensuring release process functions correctly.

Impact: Enables reliable releases. Broken publish scripts block releases forcing manual workarounds. Fix ensures automated release process works correctly reducing release friction and potential for human errors.

#748 - Rename to isComponentMounted to avoid React warning (link)
Merged: 2025-06-28

Description: Renamed component lifecycle variable to avoid React Native deprecation warning about naming convention.

Impact: Eliminates console warnings improving developer experience. While warnings don’t break functionality, they clutter output making real issues harder to spot. Following React conventions improves code clarity and future compatibility.

#705 - Implement Recovery using Nested Navigator (link)
Merged: 2025-06-28

Description: Major architectural update implementing account recovery using nested navigator pattern. Replaced deprecated recompose library with modern function components. Modernizes navigation architecture addressing technical debt.

Impact: Significant modernization improving maintainability. Nested navigator provides cleaner architecture for recovery flows. Migration from recompose to function components aligns with current React Native best practices. Recompose deprecated in 2018 making migration essential for ongoing maintenance. Improved code structure makes future recovery feature enhancements easier.

Technical Details: Recompose library deprecated 7 years ago. Function components represent current standard React pattern. Nested navigator pattern provides better separation of concerns for complex multi-step flows like account recovery.

Technical Context

June’s 4 PRs continued maintenance focus from May’s 17-PR sprint:

  1. Stability: Crash fix (PR #746) addresses animation edge case preventing app failures.

  2. Release Infrastructure: Publish script fix (PR #747) ensures reliable deployment process.

  3. Code Modernization: React warning fix (PR #748) and recovery modernization (PR #705) update deprecated patterns.

  4. Major Architectural Update: Recovery implementation (PR #705) represents substantial improvement replacing 7-year-old deprecated library with modern patterns. Significant investment for maintenance-mode application demonstrating commitment to code quality.

Lower activity than May’s 17 PRs suggests specific priorities addressed. Recovery modernization particularly significant as it updates core deprecated dependencies preventing future maintenance difficulties.

wharfkit/antelope

Repository: https://github.com/wharfkit/antelope
Activity: 4 PRs merged

Overview

Core blockchain primitives and types library providing foundation types, serialization, and utilities for Antelope blockchain development. Foundation library for WharfKit ecosystem.

Changes This Month

June focused on WebAuthn integration support and cryptographic improvements enabling Web Authenticator development. Added WebAuthn signature verification, invalid key validation, compressed key handling fixes, and fixed-size array implementation.

Pull Requests

#115 - Support wa key signature verification (link)
Merged: 2025-06-06

Description: Added support for verifying WebAuthn (WA) key signatures enabling verification of signatures generated by WebAuthn authenticators.

Impact: Critical for WebAuthn wallet integration. Web Authenticator and other WebAuthn-based wallets generate signatures using WebAuthn protocol. Antelope core library must verify these signatures for transaction validation. Foundation enabling WebAuthn wallet ecosystem on Antelope blockchains.

Related: Coordinates with Web Authenticator development and wharfkit/webauthn PR #2.

#116 - Add isAllZero check to prevent invalid private keys in PrivateKey (link)
Merged: 2025-06-06

Description: Added validation check preventing creation of PrivateKey objects from all-zero byte arrays. Previously all-zero keys caused null pointer errors when attempting to derive public keys.

Impact: Prevents cryptographic errors and crashes. All-zero private key is cryptographically invalid and cannot generate valid public key. Check prevents crashes providing clear error message when invalid key encountered. Improves library robustness and error messaging.

Technical Details: Fixes crash TypeError: Cannot read properties of null (reading 'fromRed') when calling toPublic() on invalid keys like PVT_K1_111111111111111111111111111111112omJse.

#117 - Fix get compressed key bytes returned value (link)
Merged: 2025-06-11

Description: Fixed bug where compressed key bytes method returned reference to internal array instead of copy allowing external code to modify internal key data.

Impact: Critical security fix. Returning reference to internal array creates security vulnerability - callers could accidentally or maliciously modify key data. Returning copy prevents external modification protecting key integrity. Proper encapsulation practice essential for cryptographic code.

#119 - Initial fixed array size implementation (link)
Merged: 2025-06-24

Description: Implemented fixed-size array support in Antelope core library enabling proper handling of fixed-length array types in smart contract ABIs.

Impact: Improves ABI compatibility and type safety. Smart contracts sometimes use fixed-size arrays (e.g., uint8[32] for hashes). Without fixed array support, these types don’t serialize/deserialize correctly. Implementation enables proper interaction with contracts using fixed-size array types expanding contract compatibility.

Technical Context

June’s 4 PRs established WebAuthn cryptographic support and improved core library robustness:

  1. WebAuthn Foundation: Signature verification (PR #115) enables WebAuthn wallet transaction validation at core library level. Critical for Web Authenticator integration.

  2. Input Validation: All-zero key check (PR #116) prevents crashes from invalid inputs improving reliability.

  3. Security: Compressed key encapsulation fix (PR #117) closes security vulnerability protecting key integrity.

  4. Type Coverage: Fixed array support (PR #119) expands ABI type compatibility enabling interaction with more contract types.

Work directly supports Web Authenticator development happening simultaneously. WebAuthn signature verification essential for transaction validation. Improvements benefit entire WharfKit ecosystem.

wharfkit/webauthn

Repository: https://github.com/wharfkit/webauthn
Activity: 1 PR merged

Overview

WebAuthn integration library for WharfKit enabling passwordless authentication using platform authenticators (Face ID, Touch ID, Windows Hello, hardware keys).

Pull Requests

#2 - add recover and verify public (link)
Merged: 2025-06-11

Description: Added public key recovery and verification capabilities to webauthn library enabling recovering public key from WebAuthn signatures and verifying public keys.

Impact: Essential cryptographic operations for WebAuthn wallets. Public key recovery allows deriving account public key from WebAuthn credential. Verification ensures public keys valid and correspond to expected credentials. Critical for Web Authenticator account management and signature validation.

Related: Coordinates with wharfkit/antelope PR #115 (WebAuthn signature verification) and greymass/web-authenticator PR #46 (migration to WharfKit webauthn library).

Technical Context

Addition complements wharfkit/antelope WebAuthn support providing higher-level cryptographic operations. Recovery and verification operations essential for complete WebAuthn wallet functionality. Enables Web Authenticator migration to shared library (PR #46) consolidating implementation. Part of coordinated effort establishing robust WebAuthn support across WharfKit ecosystem.

Combined with wharfkit/antelope work, June established complete WebAuthn cryptographic foundation spanning core primitives (signature verification, validation) and wallet operations (recovery, verification).

New Repositories

greymass/sextant-v2

Created: 2025-06-25
Repository: https://github.com/greymass/sextant-v2
Technology Stack: Bun service template
Status: Early foundation phase

Description: Next generation account creation platform (version 2). Template-based service setup with Bun runtime. README contains template instructions for customization and contract codegen setup.

Purpose: Sextant is shared account creation infrastructure powering Anchor, MetaMask Snap, Unicove, and Web Authenticator. Version 2 represents modernization of account creation platform preparing for expanded usage and production scale.

Technical Context: Created late in June (June 25) suggesting early development phase. Template-based setup indicates foundation work. Sextant v2 likely represents rebuild addressing scaling needs as Web Authenticator approaches production deployment. Future evolution expected as migration from original sextant proceeds.

Related: Web Authenticator PR #53 references sextant configuration demonstrating integration with account creation infrastructure.

Initial Activity: Repository created with minimal template setup. No significant implementation yet.

Strategic Impact: Multi-product infrastructure critical for ecosystem. Account creation platform improvements benefit all consuming applications (Anchor, MetaMask Snap, Unicove, Web Authenticator). Investment signals commitment to reliable onboarding infrastructure.

Development Patterns

Web Authenticator Production Readiness Sprint

Context: June saw highest activity month for Web Authenticator with 14 PRs establishing production-ready foundation across authentication, signing, security, and infrastructure.

Business Need: Web Authenticator positioned as low-friction onboarding solution enabling 1-2 minute account creation without downloads. Production deployment requires robust authentication, transaction signing, security hardening, and reliable infrastructure. May added mnemonic recovery and Ledger integration - June built remaining production requirements.

Technical Challenge: Converting prototype into production-ready wallet requires multiple authentication methods, complete transaction signing, security hardening (redirect validation, CORS, identity proofs), reliable account creation with error handling, scalable infrastructure (database abstraction, server-side API), and library consolidation.

Solution Implemented: Comprehensive production readiness work across six dimensions:

Authentication Expansion:

  • PR #32: Apple login integration providing OAuth option alongside WebAuthn
  • Familiar sign-in for iOS users reducing friction

Transaction Signing:

  • PR #33: Signing implementation enabling transaction approval
  • Core wallet functionality completing capability beyond account creation

Security Hardening:

  • PR #42: Dynamic redirect URL with security verification preventing phishing
  • PR #44: Adjusted redirection logic for API improving integration
  • PR #50: Skip auth check for OPTIONS requests enabling CORS
  • PR #45: Identity proof on login for cryptographic verification
  • Comprehensive security posture for production deployment

Account Creation Improvements:

  • PR #41: Better account creation workflow improving UX
  • PR #43: Fix account create API error reporting
  • PR #47: Fix accounts detail and backup route errors
  • Improved workflows and reliable navigation

Infrastructure Foundation:

  • PR #48: Database methods abstraction for scalable architecture
  • PR #52: Server-side API usage support enabling backend integration
  • PR #53: Load sextant variables statically for reliable configuration
  • Clean architecture enabling testing, scaling, and maintenance

Library Consolidation:

  • PR #46: Switch to WharfKit webauthn reducing duplication
  • Benefits from shared, tested implementation
  • Coordinates with wharfkit/webauthn PR #2

UI Polish:

  • PR #51: Fix Ricardian contract height update

Work Completed: 14 PRs spanning authentication, signing, security, infrastructure, and library consolidation.

Technical Impact: Transforms Web Authenticator from prototype to production-ready wallet. Apple login broadens authentication options. Transaction signing enables complete wallet functionality. Security enhancements establish robust security posture. Infrastructure improvements provide scalable foundation. Library consolidation improves maintainability. Highest monthly PR count signals imminent production launch.

Architecture Evolution: Builds on May’s mnemonic recovery and Ledger integration, April’s dashboard and security handshakes, and February’s Cloudflare edge backend. Complete production stack now includes authentication options, signing methods, security protocols, recovery mechanisms, and scalable infrastructure.

Status: June’s extensive work suggests Web Authenticator approaching production launch. 14 PRs in single month unprecedented for repository indicating focused production readiness sprint.

Links:

WebAuthn Cryptographic Foundation Across Stack

Context: June established comprehensive WebAuthn cryptographic support across WharfKit stack coordinated with Web Authenticator development.

Technical Challenge: WebAuthn authentication uses different cryptographic primitives than traditional blockchain keys. Supporting WebAuthn wallets requires signature verification, public key recovery, key validation, and proper encapsulation.

Solution Implemented: Coordinated improvements across three repositories establishing complete WebAuthn cryptographic foundation:

WharfKit Antelope Core (4 PRs):

  • PR #115: WebAuthn signature verification enabling transaction validation
  • PR #116: Invalid key validation preventing crashes from all-zero keys
  • PR #117: Compressed key encapsulation fix closing security vulnerability
  • PR #119: Fixed-size array support expanding ABI type coverage

WharfKit WebAuthn Library (1 PR):

  • PR #2: Public key recovery and verification enabling account derivation
  • Essential operations for account management

Web Authenticator Migration (1 PR):

  • PR #46: Switch to WharfKit webauthn library consolidating implementation
  • Reduces duplication benefiting from shared improvements

Work Completed: 6 total PRs across 3 repositories (4 antelope, 1 webauthn, 1 web-authenticator).

Technical Impact: Establishes robust WebAuthn cryptographic foundation enabling secure, reliable WebAuthn wallet implementation. Core library signature verification ensures transaction validity. Key validation prevents crashes and security issues. Public key recovery enables account derivation from WebAuthn credentials. Library consolidation ensures consistent, tested implementation across products.

Architectural Significance: Demonstrates mature approach to shared infrastructure. Rather than each project implementing WebAuthn independently, team built shared foundation in WharfKit then migrated applications to use it. Reduces code duplication, concentrates testing effort, ensures consistent behavior across ecosystem.

Cryptographic Operations Enabled:

  • Signature generation and verification for WebAuthn keys
  • Public key recovery from WebAuthn credentials
  • Key validation preventing invalid inputs
  • Proper encapsulation protecting key integrity
  • Fixed-size array serialization for contract interaction

Coordinated Execution: Work demonstrates architectural planning - core library support must exist before wallet can migrate to it. Signature verification (wharfkit/antelope #115) and recovery operations (wharfkit/webauthn #2) established before Web Authenticator migration (PR #46).

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Anchor Android Recovery Modernization

Context: Anchor Android received major architectural update modernizing recovery feature implementation by replacing deprecated React Native patterns.

Technical Debt Challenge: Anchor Android originally built using older React Native patterns including recompose library for component composition. Recompose deprecated in 2018 (7 years ago) requiring migration to modern patterns. Account recovery feature using outdated architecture creating maintenance burden and future compatibility risks.

Modernization Solution: PR #705 completely reimplemented recovery using modern React Native architecture:

  • Replaced deprecated recompose with function components (current React standard)
  • Implemented nested navigator pattern for recovery flows (cleaner architecture)
  • Modernized component architecture throughout recovery
  • Addressed technical debt from 7-year-old patterns

Work Completed:

Technical Impact: Significant architectural improvement establishing foundation for future maintenance. Function components represent current React Native best practice. Nested navigator provides cleaner, more maintainable navigation architecture. Removes deprecated dependency eliminating future compatibility issues. Improves code clarity making recovery features easier to understand and modify.

Maintenance Philosophy: Work demonstrates commitment to maintaining code quality even in maintenance-mode applications. Rather than minimum-viable fixes, team invested in proper modernization. Prevents technical debt accumulation that would eventually make any changes prohibitively difficult. Important maintenance work preventing gradual decay into unmaintainable state.

Technical Details: Recompose was React component composition library deprecated in 2018 when Hooks introduced. Function components with Hooks represent current standard pattern. Nested navigator pattern from React Navigation provides better separation of concerns for complex multi-step flows.

Investment Significance: Substantial effort for maintenance-mode application. Demonstrates prioritization of code health and maintainability over feature velocity. Ensures application remains modifiable for future needs.

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Sextant v2 Foundation

Context: New sextant-v2 repository created late June representing next-generation account creation infrastructure.

Business Context: Sextant is shared account creation platform powering Anchor, MetaMask Snap, Unicove, and Web Authenticator. Original sextant serves multiple products but represents older architecture. Web Authenticator pushing toward production deployment likely exposing scaling or architectural needs requiring sextant evolution.

Approach: Ground-up rebuild rather than incremental updates:

  • New repository (sextant-v2) instead of updating original
  • Template-based foundation using Bun for rapid development
  • Created late in month (June 25) suggesting early planning stage
  • Minimal initial content representing foundation work

Work Status: Repository created June 25 with template-based setup. README contains placeholder instructions for template customization. No significant implementation yet - represents early foundation phase.

Technical Impact: Signals major infrastructure investment in account creation platform. Clean slate approach enables modern architecture without legacy constraints. Multi-product infrastructure critical for ecosystem - improvements benefit all consuming applications. Timing aligns with Web Authenticator production push likely supporting its scaling needs.

Strategic Significance: Account creation remains critical onboarding infrastructure. Quality and reliability of account creation directly impacts user adoption across all products. Investment in v2 demonstrates commitment to robust, scalable onboarding infrastructure.

Future Implications: Major infrastructure projects typically span multiple months. Sextant v2 creation in late June suggests extended development timeline. Success critical for Web Authenticator production deployment and ongoing onboarding improvements across all products (Anchor, MetaMask Snap, Unicove).

Architecture Evolution: Modern service template with Bun runtime. Contract codegen support for blockchain integration. Likely represents evolution from original implementation addressing lessons learned from production usage.

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May 2025
June 2025
July 2025
📊 Summary ⚙️ Technical 🔍 Research