CHAIN DEVELOPMENT KIT

Build Your Layer 2, Your Way.

CDK is a multistack toolkit for creating ZK-powered layer 2 chains natively attached to the Agglayer.

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OVERVIEW

What is CDK?

Chain Development Kit (CDK) is a multistack toolkit for creating custom Layer 2 chains natively connected to Agglayer.

Pick Your Perfect Stack

CDK’s multistack design gives you freedom, start with CDK OP Stack, Ethereum’s most dominant client (over 50% adoption), for a familiar setup, or cdk-erigon for extensive customization. More stacks are on the way in the future.

Built for Ethereum Devs

Full EVM compatibility means your existing Ethereum tools, smart contracts, and workflows work out of the box, no relearning or rewriting required.

Seamless Web3 Connectivity

Connect your L2 to Agglayer by default to share liquidity and state across chains, fixing Web3’s fragmented UX.

Launch with Confidence

Tap into support from trusted IPs such as Gateway.fm and Conduit to get your chain up and running, whether you’re testing or going live.

WHY CDK

Fix Web3’s Fragmentation with CDK

With hundreds of L2s splitting Web3’s UX, CDK’s multistack toolkit helps you build custom chains that are connected to Agglayer for a unified experience.

Sovereign yet Connected

Link any EVM L1 (v0.4) or L2 to Agglayer, regardless of stack, creating a unified Web3 experience with shared liquidity and near-infinite scalability, your stack, your rules.

Tailored Stacks

CDK OP Stack brings familiarity of the OP stack (50%+ market share) + zk security; CDK Erigon offers extensive customization like native gas tokens, three core modes, and all sorts of pricing options.

Support from IPs

Tap into a network of implementation providers (IPs) offering end-to-end guidance, tailored to your chosen stack and goals.

How Your CDK Might Look

How Would You Structure Your L2?

CDK’s multistack options, CDK OP Stack, CDK Erigon, and more on the way let you design your L2 in many configurations. Agglayer’s on by default.

CDK OPTIONS

Choose Your Stack

CDK supports multiple stacks—CDK OP Stack, CDK Erigon, and more on the way—so you can build your Layer 2 your way. All stacks come natively connected to Agglayer for seamless interop and shared liquidity.

CDK OP Stack

Familiar OP Stack + ZK Technology + Agglayer

Best for builders seeking high performance, zk tech, OP stack familiarity, and native Agglayer interop out of the box.

Key Benefits

• Geth-powered, 50%+ Ethereum client market share
• 60+ MGas/s sustained throughput
• No 7-day withdrawal delay
• Future-proof: ZK proofs (Plonky3) coming soon
• Optimized for Sovereign mode (Validium & zkRollup coming)

Ideal for

DeFi, high-throughput chains, data-intensive apps, OP stack devs migrating to ZK

Build wth CDK OP Stack

CDK Erigon

Extensive Customization + ZK Technology + Agglayer

Ideal for developers who need custom gas tokens, rollup mode flexibility, and max security all while natively connected to Agglayer too.

Key Benefits

• Full ZK integration for maximum security
• Native token support and custom gas metering
• Choose between zkRollup, Validium, or Sovereign
• Up to 60+ MGas/s burst throughput
• Advanced configuration options for enterprises

Ideal for

Enterprises, token projects, and builders prioritizing ZK and customizability

Build wth CDK zkEVM

More stacks coming soon.

FAQ

What is the Agglayer Chain Development Kit (CDK)?

A multistack toolkit by Polygon Labs for building custom Ethereum Layer 2 chains with native Agglayer integration. It offers developers flexibility to choose stacks like CDK OP Stack or CDK Erigon, enabling unified liquidity, seamless cross-chain UX, and tailored performance, with more stacks to be added in the future.

What does it mean for CDK to go multistack?

CDK’s multistack approach allows developers to build chains using various stacks, such as CDK OP Stack and CDK Erigon, with more to be added in the future. This gives builders freedom to select the best stack for their needs, all natively connected to Agglayer for unified liquidity and interoperability.

What is CDK OP Stack, and what does it offer?

CDK OP Stack is a CDK stack using Ethereum’s Geth client (50%+ market share) and OP Stack, offering low-cost, high-performance chains with native Agglayer connectivity. Its sovereign mode uses pessimistic proofs for security, with upcoming zkRollup and Validium modes to add ZK speed via SP1 (powered by Plonky3).

How does CDK Erigon differ from CDK OP Stack?

CDK Erigon focuses on extensive customization, via native gas tokens, 3 core modes, and high throughput, for bespoke L2s. CDK OP Stack is based on the OP stack, with geth at its core for familiarity and performance, prioritizing mass adoption with ZK enhancements.

What is a sovereign chain in CDK?

A sovereign chain, available in CDK OP Stack and CDK Erigon, operates without ZK provers and uses pessimistic proofs via Agglayer for security. This ensures no chain can withdraw more than deposited on the unified bridge, offering low-cost, high-performance connectivity.

Why is Agglayer integration important for CDK chains?

Agglayer integration, native to all CDK chains, enables unified liquidity, shared state, and seamless cross-chain transactions. It creates a single environment that feels like the internet, enhancing UX and interoperability across diverse chain architectures.

Do I need to use Agglayer with CDK chains?

For the most part, yes. However, CDK chains are natively connected to Agglayer by default for optimal interoperability and UX; developers can technically choose to disable it and run chains independently, depending on their project needs.

How can I start building a CDK chain?

Use the CDK developer docs to spin up a testnet or learn more. For production-ready chains, contact implementation providers like Conduit (supports CDK OP Stack with G2 sequencer) or Gateway.fm (supports CDK Erigon) to ensure a fast, reliable launch.