Setting up a Metamask Wallet

In this section, you will learn how to install a Metamask wallet, how to set up a Metamask wallet and how to configure it on different blockchains. You can either watch the Video or you can read the Text below the Video.

We recommend using Metamask as your Web3 wallet.

Metamask is a browser plugin that lets you make Ethereum (and other blockchains) transactions through regular websites.

This guide focuses on a Chrome extension. However, the process is similar for all browsers.

How to install a Metamask wallet?

Watch the Video (1:24 mins)👇 and then you are ready to start 🎉.

Getting started

For creating and using an Aragon Client DAO you need to connect to one test or one main network. You can choose from different blockchains:

• Ethereum Mainnet

• Goerli Testnet

• Polygon

• Andromeda

• Mumbai Testnet

• Harmony

• Harmony Testnet

• Stardust testnet

• BSC Testnet

You can also create and interact to a DAO directly using command-line (in this case a bit dev skills are required), also in this case you need to connect to one test or one main network (the available networks are the same in the upper list).

For creating or using an Aragon Govern DAO you need to connect to the main network:

• Ethereum Mainnet

Let's start to configure and understand the main futures of the metamask wallet and then you can pass to choose your favorite network.

Getting started

• Visit the Metamask homepage and download the browser extension. Once it is downloaded, you should be automatically directed to a welcome page.

Metamask welcome PageFollow the instructions carefully.

• Set up your Metamask account accordingly.

If you need more info regarding creating your own Metamask profile, you can go here.

• Once your Metamask setup is complete, you should be redirected to your newly created Ethereum wallet.

Metamask account

If you have made it this far, congratulations 🎉.

Account address

If you click on the "three dots" button below your account name - in our case Account 1 - a popup will appear with your account address. It should look similar to the example below:

0x931D387731bBbC988B312206c74F77D004D6B84b

This is your public address (or public key). You can share this with other people to receive ETH or other tokens.

Selected networks

In the top right you should see a dropdown menu with Main Ethereum Network selected. With this option, you are able to interact directly with the main Ethereum blockchain.

If you click on it, a selection of other networks will be shown.

Drop down menu for selecting the network.

Why should you select other networks?

Before launching a project (or Dapp) on the main Ethereum network, it is good practice to deploy a version to an Ethereum test network or on other main networks (like Polygon) to save on costs for transaction fees.

The benefits of using a testnet

The main reason for using a testnet ETH is that it can be obtained without having to pay real money. This gives developers and the community a chance to iron out any problems before real money is involved.

There are two testnets:

• Goerli

• Sepolia

At this stage don't worry about the differences between these networks. All you need to know is that they simulate Ethereum and can be used without having to pay real money.

Using private networks

Finally, you can also interact with private Ethereum networks by selecting Localhost 8545. Private in this case doesn't mean more secure. It just means that the nodes are not connected to the main or test network nodes. Perfect for rapid experimentation and testing.

Remember that if you want to use different networks, you need to set up your wallet and load your wallet with enough funds for paying the transaction fees. We will explain how to do this in the next sections.