Can I Create Verified Smart Contracts Without Writing Code?

Yes. Formagine's form builder lets you create smart contracts with compile-time invariant proofs through a structured selection interface, without writing any code. You select a contract type, configure state fields, choose invariants, pick a target chain, and the compiler handles verification and WASM compilation. The key insight is that the dropdown-based interface does not sacrifice verification strength. Every contract produced through the builder has the same mathematical guarantees as a hand-written Form, because both go through the same compiler and the same algebraic verification process.

How the Form Builder Works

The builder is a constrained selection interface where each choice narrows the available options for subsequent choices. This constraint propagation ensures that every combination of selections produces a valid, verifiable Form definition.

1
Select contract type
Choose from Token, Vault, Escrow, Governor, or Marketplace. Each type pre-configures a set of standard state fields, invariants, and transitions appropriate to that contract category. Selecting Token, for example, initializes the builder with balance, supply, and owner fields, and enables the conservation invariant.
2
Define state
Review and customize the state fields. Add or remove fields, change names, select types (Nat, Int, Bool, Address, or mapped types using per). The builder validates that all fields referenced by invariants exist and have compatible types. If you remove a field that an invariant depends on, the builder flags the conflict.
3
Pick invariants
Select which invariants your contract should enforce. The available invariants depend on the contract type and state fields you have defined. A Token with balance and supply fields can select the conservation invariant sum(balance) == supply. A Governor can select quorum and timelock invariants. You can also define custom invariants by specifying equations over your state fields.
4
Choose target chain
Select the deployment target: CosmWasm, Near, Stylus, or Polkadot. The compiler generates chain-specific entry points and storage layout for the selected target. You can compile the same Form to multiple targets.
5
Compile
The builder assembles your selections into a Form definition and sends it to the Formagine compiler. The compiler runs compile-time verification on all invariants across all transitions. If verification succeeds, you receive a compiled WASM binary ready for deployment. If any invariant cannot be proven, the compiler reports exactly which invariant and transition are incompatible.

What the Builder Generates

The builder translates your selections into a Form definition in the Form language. For a Token contract with default settings, the generated Form looks like this:

-- Generated by Formagine form builder
form Token {
  state {
    balance : Nat per Address
    supply  : Nat
    owner   : Address
  }

  invariant conservation :
    sum(balance) == supply

  transition transfer(from, to, amount) {
    require balance[from] >= amount
    balance[from] -= amount
    balance[to]   += amount
  }

  transition mint(to, amount) {
    require msg.sender == owner
    balance[to] += amount
    supply      += amount
  }

  transition burn(from, amount) {
    require balance[from] >= amount
    balance[from] -= amount
    supply        -= amount
  }
}

This is the same Form you would write by hand. The builder is a structured interface for producing it. You can export the generated Form and modify it directly if you need customizations beyond what the builder supports.

Why Constraint Propagation Matters

Most no-code smart contract platforms generate code from templates without verifying the result. You fill in fields, the platform assembles a contract, and you hope it is correct. If the template has a bug, or if your configuration creates an edge case the template did not anticipate, the generated contract may be flawed. You have no way to know without an audit or extensive testing.

Formagine's builder is different because every generated Form goes through the same algebraic verification as a hand-written one. The constraint propagation in the builder prevents configurations that would fail verification, and the compiler then proves that the generated Form satisfies all declared invariants. The no-code path is not a shortcut around verification. It is a guided path through it.

This means a team lead who does not write code can create a Token contract through the builder and know, with mathematical certainty, that the conservation invariant holds for all possible transactions. The builder constrains the selections. The compiler proves the result. No code review, no audit, no testing is needed for the invariant properties, though integration testing and design review remain valuable for other aspects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really create a verified smart contract without writing code?
Yes. The form builder generates a complete Form definition from structured selections. You choose contract type, configure state, pick invariants, select a target chain, and compile. Every contract produced through the builder has the same compile-time invariant proofs as a hand-written Form.
Are no-code smart contracts less secure than hand-written ones?
No. The builder constrains you to valid combinations and includes standard invariants for the chosen contract type. The compiler verifies all invariants identically whether the Form was written by hand or generated by the builder. In some cases, the builder produces more secure contracts because it does not allow omitting standard invariants.
What contract types does the form builder support?
Token (fungible token with conservation proof), Vault (asset custody with deposit/withdrawal invariants), Escrow (multi-party conditional transfer with state machine proof), Governor (on-chain governance with quorum and timelock invariants), and Marketplace (listing and trading with settlement invariants).
Can I customize a builder-generated contract?
Yes. The builder generates a standard Form definition. You can export and modify it, adding custom state fields, invariants, or transitions. The compiler re-verifies all invariants on every compilation, so modifications are always checked.

Form Templates

Token form Vault form Escrow form Governor form Marketplace form

Related Topics

What is a Form Compile-time verification Smart contract invariants Alternative to audits

Resources

API documentation Supported chains Membership Self-assessment