EtherCS is a peer-to-peer CS2 (Counter-Strike 2) asset marketplace built with a backend-first approach, focusing on efficiency, clean data handling, and extensibility. It is designed to move from a working MVP to a scalable marketplace with blockchain integration.
- Flask (Python) backend with a minimalistic structure (all
.pykept at root for clarity). - MySQL for structured storage of users, assets, listings, and transactions.
- Frontend: started with HTML forms → progressively integrating AJAX + JavaScript for async flows.
- Web3 integration: smart contracts, using solidity, for escrow-style buy/sell.
- Browser extension (separate repo): automates Steam trades via background API calls.
- Steam OpenID login & inventory fetching.
- User's assets are automatically fetched server-side then displayed using Steam's API.
- Users can list items, set/edit prices, and manage personal listings.
- Global marketplace view with live sync between trades and listings.
- Transaction lifecycle handled server-side: Pending → TradeSent → Success/Failure.
- User's MetaMask wallet can connect to platform.
- Mock payment system now; blockchain wallet escrow is planned.
- Built in phases: get functionality working first, then refactor/abstract.
- Backend-first mindset — database design and transaction safety prioritized over UI polish.
- Pragmatic and iterative: start simple (forms, tuples) → expand into async flows, abstraction, and smart contracts.
- Always geared toward real-world scalability, even with a simple front-end.