adding-builder-codes

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Integrate Base Builder Codes (ERC-8021) into web3 applications for onchain transaction attribution and referral fee earning. Use when a project needs to append a builder code or dataSuffix to transactions on Base L2, whether using Wagmi, Viem, Privy, ethers.js, or raw window.ethereum. Covers phrases like "add builder codes", "integrate builder codes", "earn referral fees on Base transactions", "append a builder code to my transactions", "transaction attribution", "Builder Code integration", or "attribute transactions to my app". Handles project analysis to detect frameworks, locating transaction call sites, and replacing them with attributed versions.

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NPX Install

npx skill4agent add base/base-skills adding-builder-codes

SKILL.md Content

Adding Builder Codes

Integrate Base Builder Codes into an onchain application. Builder Codes append an ERC-8021 attribution suffix to transaction calldata so Base can attribute activity to your app and you can earn referral fees. No smart contract changes required.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when a developer asks to:
  • "Add builder codes to my application"
  • "How do I append a builder code to my transactions?"
  • "I want to earn referral fees on Base transactions"
  • "Integrate builder codes"
  • Set up transaction attribution on Base

Prerequisites

  • A Builder Code from base.dev > Settings > Builder Codes
  • The
    ox
    library for generating ERC-8021 suffixes:
    npm install ox

Integration Workflow

Copy this checklist and track progress:
Builder Codes Integration:
- [ ] Step 1: Detect framework (Required First Step)
- [ ] Step 2: Install dependencies
- [ ] Step 3: Generate the dataSuffix constant
- [ ] Step 4: Apply attribution (framework-specific)
- [ ] Step 5: Verify attribution is working

Framework Detection (Required First Step)

Before implementing, determine the framework in use.

1. Read package.json and scan source files

bash
# Check for framework dependencies
grep -E "wagmi|@privy-io/react-auth|viem|ethers" package.json

# Check for smart wallet / account abstraction usage
grep -rn "useSendCalls\|sendCalls\|ERC-4337\|useSmartWallets" src/

# Check for EOA transaction patterns
grep -rn "useSendTransaction\|sendTransaction\|writeContract\|useWriteContract" src/

# Check Privy version if present
grep "@privy-io/react-auth" package.json

2. Classify into one framework

FrameworkDetection Signal
privy
@privy-io/react-auth
in package.json or imports
wagmi
wagmi
in package.json or imports (without Privy)
viem
viem
in package.json, no React framework
rpc
ethers
,
window.ethereum
, or no Web3 library detected
Priority order if multiple are detected: Privy > Wagmi > Viem > Standard RPC

3. Confirm with user

Before proceeding, confirm the detected framework:
"I detected you are using [Framework]. I'll implement builder codes using the [Framework] approach — does that sound right?"
Wait for user confirmation before implementing.

Implementation Path

  • Privy (
    @privy-io/react-auth
    v3.13.0+) → See references/privy.md
  • Wagmi (without Privy) → See references/wagmi.md
  • Viem only (no React framework) → See references/viem.md
  • Standard RPC (ethers.js or raw
    window.ethereum
    ) → See references/rpc.md

Step 2: Install dependencies

bash
npm install ox
Requires
viem >= 2.45.0
for Wagmi/Viem paths. Privy requires
@privy-io/react-auth >= 3.13.0
.

Step 3: Generate the dataSuffix constant

Create a shared constant (e.g.,
src/lib/attribution.ts
or
src/constants/builderCode.ts
):
typescript
import { Attribution } from "ox/erc8021";

export const DATA_SUFFIX = Attribution.toDataSuffix({
  codes: ["YOUR-BUILDER-CODE"], // Replace with your code from base.dev
});

Step 4: Apply attribution

Follow the framework-specific guide:

Privy Implementation

See references/privy.md — plugin-based, one config change required.

Wagmi Implementation

See references/wagmi.md — add
dataSuffix
to Wagmi client config.

Viem Implementation

See references/viem.md — add
dataSuffix
to wallet client.

Standard RPC Implementation

See references/rpc.md — append
DATA_SUFFIX
to transaction data for ethers.js or raw
window.ethereum
.
Preferred approach: Configure at the client level so all transactions are automatically attributed. Only use the per-transaction approach if you need conditional attribution.
For Smart Wallets (EIP-5792
sendCalls
): See references/smart-wallets.md — pass via
capabilities
.

Step 5: Verify attribution

  1. base.dev: Check Onchain > Total Transactions for attribution counts
  2. Block explorer: Find tx hash, view input data, confirm last 16 bytes are
    8021
    repeating
  3. Validation tool: Use builder-code-checker.vercel.app

Key Facts

  • Builder Codes are ERC-721 NFTs minted on Base
  • The suffix is appended to calldata; smart contracts ignore it (no upgrades needed)
  • Gas cost is negligible: 16 gas per non-zero byte
  • Analytics on base.dev currently support Smart Account (AA) transactions; EOA support is coming (attribution data is preserved)
  • The
    dataSuffix
    plugin in Privy appends to all chains, not just Base. If chain-specific behavior is needed, contact Privy
  • Privy's
    dataSuffix
    plugin is NOT yet supported with
    @privy-io/wagmi
    adapter

Finding Transaction Call Sites

When retrofitting an existing project, search for these patterns:
bash
# React hooks (Wagmi)
grep -rn "useSendTransaction\|useSendCalls\|useWriteContract\|useContractWrite" src/

# Viem client calls
grep -rn "sendTransaction\|writeContract\|sendRawTransaction" src/

# Privy embedded wallet calls
grep -rn "sendTransaction\|signTransaction" src/

# ethers.js
grep -rn "signer\.sendTransaction\|contract\.connect" src/

# Raw window.ethereum
grep -rn "window\.ethereum\|eth_sendTransaction" src/
For client-level integration (Wagmi/Viem/Privy), you typically only need to modify the config file — individual transaction call sites remain unchanged.