🔄IPNS - Handle Mutable Data

Using IPNS to handle mutable data

IPNS (InterPlanetary Name System) is a system that allows you to create mutable pointers to data in the IPFS network. In simpler terms, it's like a dynamic address that always points to the latest version of your content. Using the Lighthouse SDK, you can easily create, publish, fetch, and remove IPNS records.

1. What is IPNS?

Think of IPNS as a dynamic domain name for your content on IPFS. While IPFS hashes are static and change when content changes, IPNS provides a static address that can be updated to point to new content.

2. Basic steps involved

  1. Create an IPNS key

  2. Map the IPNS key with a CID

  3. In case of CID change just update the mapping, the IPNS key remains the same

  4. View the file using: https://gateway.lighthouse.storage/ipns/k51qzi5uqu5dlr99jbwpbli7iqtdd60c8hk0wgrsxyvzu3lhymapd1rn4npdd8/

Step 1: Create a New IPNS Key

const keyResponse = await lighthouse.generateKey(apiKey)
/* Sample response
{
  data: {
    "ipnsName": "6cda213e3a534f8388665dee77a26458",
    "ipnsId": "k51qzi5uqu5dm6uvby6428rfpcv1vcba6hxq6vcu52qtfsx3np4536jkr71gnu"
  }
}
*/

Upon successful creation, you will receive an IPNS name and its corresponding ID.

Step 2: Publish an IPFS Hash to IPNS

const pubResponse = await lighthouse.publishRecord(
  "YOUR_IPFS_HASH", // replace with your IPFS hash
  keyResponse.data.ipnsName,
  apiKey
)
/* Sample response
{
  data: {
    "Name": "k51qzi5uqu5dm6uvby6428rfpcv1vcba6hxq6vcu52qtfsx3np4536jkr71gnu",
    "Value": "/ipfs/Qmd5MBBScDUV3Ly8qahXtZFqyRRfYSmUwEcxpYcV4hzKfW"
  }
}
*/

The response will show the IPNS name and the IPFS path it points to.

Step 3: Retrieve All IPNS Keys

const allKeys = await lighthouse.getAllKeys(apiKey)
/* Sample response
{
  data: [
    {
      "ipnsName": "6cda213e3a534f8388665dee77a26458",
      "ipnsId": "k51qzi5uqu5dm6uvby6428rfpcv1vcba6hxq6vcu52qtfsx3np4536jkr71gnu",
      "publicKey": "0xc88c729ef2c18baf1074ea0df537d61a54a8ce7b",
      "cid": "Qmd5MBBScDUV3Ly8qahXtZFqyRRfYSmUwEcxpYcV4hzKfW",
      "lastUpdate": 1684855771773
    }
  ]
}
*/

Step 4: Remove an IPNS Key

const removeRes = await lighthouse.removeKey(keyResponse.data.ipnsName, apiKey)
/* Sample Response
{
  data: { 
    Keys: [
      {
        "Name": "3090a315e92c495ea36444f2bbaeefaf",
        "Id": "k51qzi5uqu5dm8gfelll8own1epd9osmlig49il5mmphkrcxbnhydkmx101x15"
      }
    ]
  }
}
*/
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