1. Campbell R. Harvey Duke University and NBER
Innovation and Cryptoventures
MetaMask
Campbell R. Harvey
Duke University and NBER

2. Campbell R. Harvey 2019

3. Setup Go to https://metamask.io/
Download extension for either Chrome, Firefox, or Opera
Alternatively, download Brave Browser and use Chrome extension
Icon should appear in the top right corner of your browser. Click on it
Press continue
Create a new account by typing in a password of your choosing and pressing “Create”
Click next
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

4. Setup
Scroll through terms of use, privacy notice, and phishing warning and accept
Store Secret Backup Phrase in a secure location, ideally paper or a password manager
Type in seed phrase
Skip depositing Ether unless you want to deposit some Ether that you already own
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

5. Using MetaMask
Open MetaMask by clicking the icon in the top right corner of the browser. If not there, revisit MetaMask Setup and check if done properly.
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

6. Using MetaMask 1. Network
This determines which Ethereum Network you are using. Click on this to see all network options in a dropdown. For this class we will only discuss or use the Main Ethereum Network and the Ropsten Test Network.
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

7. Using MetaMask 1. Network
The Main Ethereum Network is where live ether (ETH) with real value exists and is used for payment and applications. We will not use main network ETH for this class but you can exchange your $1 worth of BTC into ETH if you wish and hold that on MetaMask. I will refer to this as the “main network” or the “mainnet”
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

8. Using MetaMask 1. Network
The Ropsten Test Network is a fully functioning copy of the main network. The ETH on any Test Network has no economic value, and can be obtained for free from a “faucet.” We will get some Ropsten Test ETH in your MetaMask the section on Test ETH below. I will refer to this as the “test network” or “testnet”
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

9. Using MetaMask 2. Account
This is your unique account number used for transferring ETH. It is the same for every network. If you ever need to copy the address exactly to the clipboard, simply click on this portion of MetaMask
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

10. Using MetaMask 3. Balance and Transfer
This tells you your ETH balance and USD value based on the current exchange rate. It is different for the main and test networks unless you had identical ETH balances on each. The testnet ETH will show you a balance of more than $0 if you have any test ETH but don’t be fooled, this ETH is not redeemable for USD in the same way mainnet ETH is.
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

11. Using MetaMask
3. Balance and Transfer [Supplementary – only if you want to deposit some real ETH]
To deposit ETH, simply copy your account number (recommend directly to the clipboard to avoid typing mistakes) and input this into the corresponding “send” ETH of wherever you are depositing from (i.e., Coinbase). Clicking the deposit button will direct you to one of:
a QR scanner you can use as an alternative to copying the address
a location to buy ETH (on the mainnet)
a faucet to obtain test ETH (on the testnet)
To send ETH, simply click the send button and input the counterparty’s Ethereum account and a transaction fee.
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

12. Using MetaMask 4. Transaction History
Here you can view pending and completed transactions. We will use this to check the status of the attendance logger transactions.
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

13. Using MetaMask 4. Transactions with MetaMask
All MetaMask transactions look like this: whether you send ETH when you interact with an Ethereum application (like the attendance logger).
You should always check the following before pressing “Confirm” otherwise “Reject” the transaction:
The Network is appropriate for what you are doing. (Use Ropsten Test Network for Attendance Logger)
The “To” account matches where you want to send it
The ETH amount is what you intended
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

14. Using MetaMask Getting Ropsten Test ETH Open MetaMask
Switch to Ropsten Test Network (see Area 1: Networks in “Using MetaMask” above)
Click Deposit
Scroll down to “test faucet” at the bottom and click Get Ether
A new window should open, simply click “Request 1 ether from faucet” at the top in the green button”
Wait for confirmation and the 1 ETH should show up in your balance
1 is plenty for this class, but if you wanted more you can request more
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

15. Using MetaMask Attendance Logger
Before interacting with the Attendance Logger:
Log into MetaMask
Switch to Ropsten Test Network (see Area 1: Networks in “Using MetaMask” above)
You should have some (above 0.1) test ETH. If not see “Getting Ropsten Test ETH” above
Go to:
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

16. Using MetaMask Registering:
You will need to Register to associate your name and netID with your MetaMask address. You only need to do this once before the course begins.
Navigate to “Register” section
If it says: “You are: Unknown - not connected” redo “Before interacting with Attendance Logger” above
If it says: “You are: NOT Registered” you should continue with step 2. Otherwise you already completed this step. You may change your registered name by re-registering.
Type in “Name:” field, your “Last Name - netID” (i.e. “Harvey - ch123”)
Click “Register”
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

17. Using MetaMask Registering:
A MetaMask transaction should pop up. Click “Confirm”
If no pop up appears redo “Before interacting with Attendance Logger” above
Wait until the transaction is confirmed (approx. 1 min)
You should see “Pending” in your MetaMask transaction history (see Area 4 in “Using MetaMask” above)
The transaction will change to “confirmed” once it is verified by the network
Once confirmed, refresh
If it does not say “You are: Registered as Last Name - netID”, try waiting a bit longer and refresh again, otherwise repeat with step 1.
Otherwise you are registered!
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

18. Using MetaMask Checking In:
You need to check in at the beginning of each class period.
Approximately 15 min before class to 15 min after class the logger will be “Live”
Outside of this window it should say - “Status: Logger NOT Live”
If it says: “Status: Unknown - not connected” redo “Before interacting with Attendance Logger” above
If you have not yet checked in it will say - “Status: You are NOT checked in for today”
Click “Check In”
A MetaMask transaction should pop up. Click “Confirm”
If no pop up appears, redo “Before interacting with Attendance Logger” above
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

19. Using MetaMask Checking In:
You need to check in at the beginning of each class period.
Wait until the transaction is confirmed (approx. 1 min)
You should see “Pending” in your MetaMask transaction history (see Area 4 in “Using MetaMask” above)
The transaction will change to “confirmed” once it is verified by the network
Once confirmed, refresh
If it does not say “Status: You are checked in for today”, try waiting a bit longer and refresh again, otherwise repeat with step 1.
Otherwise, you are checked in!
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

20. Using MetaMask Troubleshooting MetaMask:
Q: I downloaded the Chrome Extension but it is not showing up in the top right of my browser
A: You likely have more extensions than can be displayed or it is hidden. Click the icon the top right and MetaMask should be in the top of the pop-up menu
Q: I forgot my password
A: Click “Import using account seed phrase” at the bottom. Type in the seed words you saved when you created the account separated by spaces.
Campbell R. Harvey 2019

21. Using MetaMask Troubleshooting MetaMask:
Q: I forgot my password and lost my seed phrase
A: There is no recovery here. Make a new account and get new Test ETH. Hopefully you didn’t have any real ETH on your account. This is the importance of securing your seed phrase.
Campbell R. Harvey 2019