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The Algorand Codex

Pure Proof-of-Stake.
Instant Finality.

16 modules. One real project. Every command narrated. Every error explained. Master Algorand's unique consensus, ASAs, AVM smart contracts, and production patterns — and leave with a portfolio project and the lore.

16 Modules
~6 Hours
40+ Error Recoveries
1 Real Project
Start Free Trial → View Curriculum ↓
Why Algorand

Why practitioners choose Algorand

○
Instant finality, zero forks

Algorand's Pure Proof-of-Stake means transactions are final the moment they're confirmed. No reorgs, no waiting for confirmations. Build with certainty.

⊛
The AVM: built for scale

The Algorand Virtual Machine supports TEAL and PyTeal smart contracts with atomic transfers, rekeying, and box storage — primitives designed for real applications.

★
Native asset creation

Algorand Standard Assets (ASAs) are first-class protocol objects — not smart contracts. Create fungible tokens, NFTs, and security tokens without writing a single line of contract code.

⬢
State Proofs for interoperability

Algorand's State Proofs enable trustless cross-chain communication without bridges. Verify Algorand state on any other chain cryptographically.

Curriculum

Every module builds toward one real product

You don't do isolated exercises. From Module 00 to Module 15, you build a complete Algorand application. By the end, you'll have a production-ready project and the lore to back it up.

00
Environment Setup + Day 0 Quick Win
Get your Algorand development environment running and submit your first transaction in minutes.
15 min

What You'll Learn

  • Prerequisites and toolchain setup
  • Algorand sandbox configuration
  • Your first transaction

What You'll Do

  • Install Algorand SDK
  • Connect to sandbox
  • Submit a payment transaction
01
Consensus — Pure Proof of Stake
VRF-based leader selection, instant finality, and why Algorand can never fork.
theoryconsensusPPoSFREE
30 min

What You'll Learn

  • Pure Proof-of-Stake consensus
  • Verifiable Random Functions (VRF)
  • Why Algorand achieves instant finality

What You'll Do

  • Build mental model of PPoS
  • Compare to PoW and DPoS
02
Run Your Local Node
Algorand sandbox in Docker. Watch consensus happen. Query node status.
26 min

What You'll Learn

  • Algorand node architecture
  • Sandbox vs TestNet vs MainNet

What You'll Do

  • Run local sandbox node
  • Query node status and health
  • BREAK IT — misconfigured node
03
Accounts and Wallets
Ed25519 keypairs, funding, minimum balance requirements.
26 min

What You'll Learn

  • Ed25519 key generation
  • Minimum balance requirement (0.1 ALGO)
  • Account creation vs activation

What You'll Do

  • Generate accounts
  • Fund from faucet
  • BREAK IT — underfunded account
04
Account State and Balances
Account info, opt-in mechanics, and minimum balance increases.
27 min

What You'll Learn

  • Account state structure
  • Opt-in mechanics for ASAs
  • Minimum balance computation

What You'll Do

  • Query account info
  • Track balance changes
05
Transactions — Full Lifecycle
Build, sign, submit, and confirm. Every transaction type explained.
27 min

What You'll Learn

  • Transaction lifecycle
  • All transaction types
  • Group transactions and atomic transfers

What You'll Do

  • Send payment transaction
  • BREAK IT — insufficient funds
06
Algorand Standard Assets (ASA)
Create, configure, and manage fungible and non-fungible tokens as first-class protocol objects.
28 min

What You'll Learn

  • ASA creation and configuration
  • Manager, reserve, freeze, clawback roles
  • Opt-in and opt-out mechanics

What You'll Do

  • Create a fungible token
  • Transfer and freeze assets
  • BREAK IT — transfer without opt-in
07
Atomic Transfers
Group transactions that either all succeed or all fail. The foundation for trustless swaps.
28 min

What You'll Learn

  • Atomic transfer mechanics
  • Group ID computation
  • Use cases: swaps, escrow, payments

What You'll Do

  • Build atomic swap
  • BREAK IT — partial group submission
08
Smart Contracts on the AVM
TEAL and PyTeal. The Algorand Virtual Machine architecture and your first smart contract.
29 min

What You'll Learn

  • AVM architecture and execution model
  • TEAL opcodes and PyTeal abstractions
  • Application lifecycle

What You'll Do

  • Deploy your first smart contract
  • Call application methods
  • BREAK IT — opcode budget exceeded
09
Rekeying — Flexible Authorization
Change an account's authorized signer without changing its address. Unique to Algorand.
29 min

What You'll Learn

  • Rekeying mechanics
  • Key rotation patterns
  • Security implications

What You'll Do

  • Rekey an account
  • Sign with new key
  • BREAK IT — sign with old key after rekey
10
Box Storage
Scalable on-chain storage for smart contracts. Store arbitrary data beyond global and local state.
30 min

What You'll Learn

  • Box storage vs global/local state
  • Cost model and MBR implications
  • CRUD operations on boxes

What You'll Do

  • Create and manage boxes
  • Store structured data on-chain
11
Inner Transactions
Smart contracts that call other smart contracts. Composability on Algorand.
30 min

What You'll Learn

  • Inner transaction mechanics
  • Composability patterns
  • Budget pooling across inner calls

What You'll Do

  • Build contract-to-contract calls
  • Compose multiple operations atomically
12
State Proofs & Oracles
Trustless cross-chain state verification. No bridges, no intermediaries.
31 min

What You'll Learn

  • State Proof architecture
  • Cross-chain verification
  • Oracle integration patterns

What You'll Do

  • Query state proofs
  • Verify state on another chain
13
ARC Token Standards
ARC-3, ARC-19, ARC-69, and ARC-200. The standard ecosystem for Algorand tokens.
31 min

What You'll Learn

  • ARC standard landscape
  • Metadata standards (ARC-3, ARC-19, ARC-69)
  • Smart contract tokens (ARC-200)

What You'll Do

  • Implement ARC-compliant tokens
  • Add metadata to ASAs
14
Production Key Management
Hot/warm/cold key architecture, multisig, and security best practices for production.
32 min

What You'll Learn

  • Key management hierarchy
  • Multisig accounts
  • Production security patterns

What You'll Do

  • Set up multisig account
  • Implement key rotation
15
Internals — How the Ledger Works
Block structure, Merkle trees, and connecting to TestNet and MainNet.
32 min

What You'll Learn

  • Ledger internals and block structure
  • Merkle tree verification
  • MainNet deployment best practices

What You'll Do

  • Inspect block data
  • Connect to TestNet
Live Sandbox

Try Algorand in your browser
— no install required

Spin up an Algorand sandbox environment directly in your browser. Write PyTeal, deploy contracts, and test transactions — all from a single tab.

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  • Everything in Apprentice
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  • Everything in Practitioner
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