Stacks 2.1 Helpdesk
Questions about Stacks 2.1? Looking for documentation and other resources? Need help with an integration? You're in the right place.
TIME TO UPGRADE
Stacks 2.1 is here! ✨
After many months of hard work, the official release of Stacks 2.1 is finally upon us! This release is a culmination of a lot of work between many users, developers, exchanges, and companies building on Stacks, and adds many improvements outlined below:


Start your upgrade
Since this is a hard fork upgrade, attempting to upgrade an existing chainstate will fail. The main requirement for this release is that a full genesis sync must be performed since the 2.1 chainstate is incompatible with previous Stacks blockchain versions. For anyone using the Hiro API - any existing database data will also be incompatible with the 2.1 chainstate.

The expected cutover date for when Stacks 2.1 is activated should happen around March 20, 2023 (Bitcoin block 781,551), and the upgrade path is similar to previous minor updates - with the only requirement being a full chainstate sync from genesis.

Resources
Docs:
Releases:
Changelogs:

Integration Support
Stuck, want advice, or have a special case? We'd be happy to help! Please email stacks2.1@stacks.org and we'll get one of our technical experts to provide guidance!
What does 2.1 Enable?
Stacks 2.1 is a proposed upgrade that will strengthen the connection between Stacks and Bitcoin and lay the foundation for some other key improvements, here's how:
How to vote on Stacks 2.1
Voting will take place during Stacking rewards cycles 46 and 47, estimated to begin around November 10, 2022 and end around December 15, 2022.
Stacks 2.1 and Stacking
Exactly how Stacking upgrades impact you will depend on your chosen Stacking provider; here is a timeline and breakdown on the new features providers can tap.
Stacks 2.1 Testnet
Dive into the testnet provided by our friends at Hiro and make sure your application is ready for the upgrade!
Example Apps
Coming soon, along with juicy code samples you can quickly fork and play with!
Stacks 2.1 Testing Plan
Stacks Core Developers and security researchers are working to make sure there are no vulnerabilities or bugs in the code.
Developers & Builders
Your upgrade will depend in a major way on your application, but here are some key resources that should get you off to a good start! We recommend you start with Hiro's Developer Guide for Stacks 2.1.

In those sections, don't miss that great context under the "Rationale". It's a great way to get an idea of why these functions exist and what they can be used for.

Misc.

Testnet and Code Repositories:
Exchanges
If you're not running a Stacking pool in addition to your STX listing, this upgrade will be similar to previous upgrades; you simply need to upgrade the node software following the usual steps. If you’re using Hiro API services, please contact support@hiro.so if you have any questions.

Testnet and Code Repositories:
Stacking Providers & Pools
If you offer a Stacking pool to your users, your upgrade will be more complex as a number of the changes in 2.1 are directly related to improved Stacking. To help you with this, we have a few key resources:

  • We have a designated Stacking technical resource available for you. The Founder and CEO of Secret Key Labs, maker of the Xverse wallet and Stacking pool, will guide you through the new Stacking possibilities opened by the upgrade. Book time.
  • The testnet for Stacks 2.1 is now available so you can begin working with your implementations, details on this are below.
  • While the upgrade for 2.1 will go live around December 16th, you have until approximately January 17th to finish your Stacking upgrades. We’ve scheduled the switch to the new PoX contract that way to give you as much time as possible to adjust your Stacking integration.

Testnet and Code Repositories:
Miners
No major changes are necessary to upgrade your miner! When the binaries/docker images are available all you'll need to do is upgrade the version of the [stacks-blockchain] as with other upgrades.

Miner Resources:

Testnet and Code Repositories:
Wallets
If you're providing a simple wallet for Send/Receive functionality, your upgrade will be as simple adding some extra functions that use 2.1 specific API paths. However, if you offer any Stacking functionality to your users, your upgrade will be more complex as a number of the changes in 2.1 are directly related to improved Stacking.

To help you with this, we have a few key resources:
  • We have a designated Stacking technical resource available for you. The Founder and CEO of Secret Key Labs, maker of the Xverse wallet and Stacking pool, will guide you through the new Stacking possibilities opened by the upgrade. Book time.
  • While the upgrade for 2.1 will go live around December 16th, you have until approximately January 17th to finish your Stacking upgrades. We’ve scheduled the switch to the new PoX contract that way to give you as much time as possible to adjust your Stacking integration.

Testnet and Code Repositories:
Bridges & Oracles
Most bridges and oracles don't run their own node, but in the event you are, you can simply follow the standard node upgrade process you've established. Get in touch via the established Telegram channel if you need any support, or reach out to us via the 'Help me!' tab above and we'll do our best to advise!

Testnet and Code Repositories:
Rollout Timeline
Please be advised that if bugs or other issues are discovered during the currently ongoing testing, these dates could shift.
November 4th
November 4th
Recommended by CABs
The Technical, Governance, and Economics Consideration Advisory Boards (CABs) reviewed SIP-015 (proposal outlining the entire 2.1 upgrade) and recommended it for activation.
November 10th
November 10th
Voting begins
STX holders began voting on whether to approve or reject the Stacks 2.1 upgrade.
November 15th
November 15th
Code 'complete'
Core developers finished primary coding work on the update.
November 15th - December 15th
November 15th - December 15th
Testing
Stacks Core Developers and security researchers are working to make sure there are no vulnerabilities or bugs in the code. Review the testing plan or work with the testnet.
November 22nd
November 22nd
Activation-in-progress
The Steering Committee approved SIP-015 for ratification, pending the results of the network-wide vote.
December ~8th
December ~8th
Voting ends
The period for voting on the Stacks 2.1 upgrade closes on approximately December 8th.
December 15th
December 15th
Voting tabulation
All votes are thoroughly calculated and reviewed. The final results of the vote are announced to the community.
December 15th - February 20th
December 15th - February 20th
Continued testing
Stacks Core Developers are continuing to make sure the release is stable and ready to provide to miners and partners. Follow the Stacks Foundation Twitter for updates.
February 20th
February 20th
Launch: Stacks 2.1 Binaries provided to miners
Assuming they adopt, changes will begin to propagate across the network as more miners upgrade their software.
~March 20th
~March 20th
Pox-2 contract activates
PoX rules activate at Bitcoin block 781,551. This should happen around March 20th, 2023 based on current block times.
Find help
Been over all the resources and can't find what you're looking for? Have a really specific integration question? Let us direct you to a helpful channel.
Discord
Join Discord and go to:
#support
#developers
Github
For builders, the best place to go is Github, Stacks Core Developers are extremely active there and responsive to new Issues.
Stack Overflow
The Stacks Foundation team is making a concerted effort to use Stack Overflow more, so please feel free to post questions there!
How can we help?
We'd be happy to connect you with the most relevant resource in the Stacks Ecosystem.
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