> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.abs.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Hardhat - Installation

> Learn how to setup a new Hardhat project on Abstract using hardhat-zksync.

This page assumes you already have a Hardhat project setup. If you don’t, follow the steps in the [Getting Started](/build-on-abstract/smart-contracts/hardhat/get-started) guide to create a new project.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install hardhat-zksync">
    Abstract uses the [ZKsync VM](https://docs.zksync.io/zksync-protocol/vm), which expects [different bytecode](/how-abstract-works/evm-differences/overview)
    than the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM).
    The [`hardhat-zksync`](https://docs.zksync.io/zksync-era/tooling/hardhat/plugins/hardhat-zksync) library includes several plugins to help you compile, deploy and verify smart contracts for the Zksync VM on Abstract.

    Install the `@matter-labs/hardhat-zksync` package:

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash npm theme={null}
      npm install -D @matterlabs/hardhat-zksync
      ```

      ```bash yarn theme={null}
      yarn add -D @matterlabs/hardhat-zksync
      ```

      ```bash pnpm theme={null}
      pnpm add -D @matterlabs/hardhat-zksync
      ```

      ```bash bun theme={null}
      bun add -D @matterlabs/hardhat-zksync
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Update Hardhat configuration">
    Modify your `hardhat.config.ts` file to include the following options:

    ```ts theme={null}
    import { HardhatUserConfig } from "hardhat/config";
    import "@matterlabs/hardhat-zksync";

    const config: HardhatUserConfig = {
      zksolc: {
        version: "latest",
        settings: {
          // find all available options in the official documentation
          // https://docs.zksync.io/build/tooling/hardhat/hardhat-zksync-solc#configuration
        },
      },
      defaultNetwork: "abstractTestnet",
      networks: {
        abstractTestnet: {
          url: "https://api.testnet.abs.xyz",
          ethNetwork: "sepolia",
          zksync: true,
          chainId: 11124,
        },
        abstractMainnet: {
          url: "https://api.mainnet.abs.xyz",
          ethNetwork: "mainnet",
          zksync: true,
          chainId: 2741,
        },
      },
      solidity: {
        version: "0.8.24",
      },
    };

    export default config;
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run Hardhat commands">
    Provide the `--network` flag to specify the Abstract network you want to use.

    ```bash theme={null}
    # e.g. Compile the network using the zksolc compiler
    npx hardhat compile --network abstractTestnet
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>