Blockchain CLI in Rust

What is Blockchain CLI in Rust?

A minimal command-line blockchain demonstration implemented in Rust. It combines a menu-driven CLI for adding, printing, and validating blocks with an MCP server that exposes JSON-based blockchain commands over a network. This project is for developers learning Rust, blockchain fundamentals, or networked tool integration.

How to use Blockchain CLI in Rust?

Run cargo run in the project directory to start the application. The CLI presents a menu with options to add a block, print the blockchain, validate integrity, or exit. The MCP server starts automatically on 127.0.0.1:7878 and can be queried from a separate terminal using netcat (e.g., echo '{"command": "latest_block"}' | nc 127.0.0.1 7878).

Key features of Blockchain CLI in Rust

• Implements a basic blockchain with SHA-256 hashing.
• Provides a CLI menu for adding, printing, and validating blocks.
• Integrates an MCP server on port 7878 for external access.
• Supports JSON commands: latest_block and add_block.
• Built with Rust, sha2, chrono, serde, and serde_json.

Use cases of Blockchain CLI in Rust

• Learning Rust by building a blockchain from scratch.
• Experimenting with MCP for networked tool communication.
• Testing blockchain validation logic interactively.
• Demonstrating how to run a CLI and a network server concurrently.

FAQ from Blockchain CLI in Rust

What are the system requirements?

Rust (latest stable version) and Cargo are required to build and run the project.

How do I test the MCP server?

Run the application, then open a separate terminal and use netcat to send JSON commands, e.g., echo '{"command": "add_block", "data": "test"}' | nc 127.0.0.1 7878.

What MCP commands are available?

Two commands: latest_block (returns the latest block) and add_block (adds a new block with provided data).

Does the MCP server run on the main thread?

No, it runs in a separate thread alongside the CLI, so you must use a different terminal window for testing.

How can I validate the blockchain?

Select option 3 ("Validate Blockchain") from the CLI menu. The app checks that each block is properly linked via hashes.