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Getting Started (Read Me!)

Emilie Ma edited this page May 6, 2023 · 5 revisions

Downloads and Requirements

You can install the extension here. (Please note that this may not be the latest version due to Chrome Webstore review delays. This link will always point to the latest version.)

Make sure you have MetaMask installed and have created and logged into a wallet before clicking the Cobweb icon to open the extension.

Alternatively, you can build from source by cloning this repository and running npm run start, then loading the contents of build/ in chrome://extensions.

The only requirement for getting started is a (free) Metamask address. Metamask is a browser wallet platform that allows users to access their crypto through the browser, and also allows Cobweb to request funds and stream payments. Make sure you log into Metamask shortly before installing and accessing Cobweb.

In-App Onboarding

This is an onboarding modal that pops up when you first install the extension:

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As an incentive for teens new to the blockchain to get their first tokens and to get involved with the Cobweb community, we're offering a small amount of ETH to new users. Click the button in the second onboarding slide to request verification, and to receive your top-up. See below for verification details.

Receiving Payments

To receive payments, go to the Account Page and copy your Cobweb tag. Any content that your Cobweb tag is found in will be monetized, if you're verified in the Cobweb community. For example, including your Cobweb tag in an Instagram post, Twitter thread, or personal blog page will all initiate streams.

Streaming Payments

You will automatically start streaming payments when you open a page that has a valid Cobweb tag on it. Metamask will show you a popup that looks like this:

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You can change the gas to be lower, which will cost less tokens but will take more time to process. Click confirm on these popups - they allow a stream to begin from your Metamask wallet to another Cobweb user's wallet. If you deny this operation, called a transaction, the stream won't go through.

When you close a tab that's currently streaming or click 'Cancel stream' on the main Cobweb page, Metamask will show you a popup that looks like this:

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It's important to click confirm - otherwise, your stream won't close and you'll continue to be spending tokens.

These popups may show up frequently as you open monetized content, so be sure to understand how to confirm transactions.

Getting Your Cobweb Tag

When you first click on your profile picture, Metamask will show you a popup that looks like this:

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This is a signature request - it's how the blockchain verifies a message comes from you and not an impersonator. Cobweb uses signatures to create your Cobweb Tag, which is a unique identifier that allows payments to be streamed to you.

Open the Cobweb extension and click on your profile picture again. You'll see a string of letters and numbers with COBWEB: at the start. That's your Cobweb tag, and any page that has that tag on it will stream payments to you.

Receiving Payments

You'll see your ETHx balance going up in the Cobweb app as you receive payments. You can check who sent you incoming streams via the Superfluid.finance dashboard - the addresses will be the same as the first part of the user's Cobweb tag.

About Cobweb Verification

As a community for teens by teens, we aim to limit the amount of spam and abuse possible. We've made the decision to limit streaming payments to only accounts that have been verified and added into the community. If your account hasn't been verified, you can still stream payments out, but you won't be able to receive streams even if your Cobweb tag is listed in some content.

When you click the button in the onboarding slides (see above), you'll send a request with your Metamask address to us for verification. We'll then add you to the list of allow-listed users, from which point on you can start receiving streams.