ACDE #207: Hoodi & Chill

The podcast episode delves into the key takeaways from the core developers' execution call number 207, focusing on the launch of a new public testnet, Hooty, and updated timelines for Pectra's launch on the Ethereum mainnet. The anticipated launch of Pectra has been pushed to late April or early May due to delays caused by the Holesky testnet achieving finalization sooner than expected. This has resulted in a backlog of approximately one million validators facing slashing due to incorrect attestations, complicating the exit process as Ethereum limits validator exits to eight per epoch.

Perry, an Ethereum Foundation DevOps Engineer, presented several options to address the backlog, including creating the new public testnet Hooty, using Pectra DevNet 6 for public testing, or forking Holesky to clear the validator exit queue. There was strong support for forking Holesky, but concerns about potential delays and complexities were raised. The call emphasized the need for further discussions with consensus layer developers before finalizing any decisions.

Developers reached a consensus on the Pectra upgrade game plan, stressing the importance of specific milestones to set a launch date confidently. Barnabas highlighted the need for launching Pectra on the Hooty testnet without major client bugs, while Enrico suggested testing validator behavior on a larger testnet that closely resembles Ethereum Mainnet. Concerns were raised about the functionality of the slasher software after issues on Holesky, and Spencer emphasized that all execution layer client teams must pass their Pectra tests.

A tentative timeline indicated that Pectra could activate on Mainnet as early as late April or more likely in May, depending on testing outcomes. Developers discussed coordinating the Holesky fork with input from consensus layer client developers, with a focus on strategic development efforts. Yvonne expressed concerns about Lido needing additional time to transition to the Hooty testnet, leading to discussions on how to assist infrastructure providers.

The new plan excludes hard forking Holesky, with Hooty set to be the new public Ethereum testnet, potentially lasting three years. Developers agreed to activate the Pectra upgrade on Hooty within 10 days of its launch, specifically on March 26, with the Dengkun upgrade pre-installed. The mainnet launch for Pectra is expected to occur 30 days after its activation on Hooty, with the earliest launch anticipated in May, contingent on further testing.

The strategy has shifted to aim for two upgrades per year instead of one, allowing more time for infrastructure providers like Lido to prepare. The focus is on supporting the ecosystem and ensuring thorough preparation for future upgrades, rather than rushing the process. The episode also highlights a recent ACD call that sparked a detailed discussion about the Pectra game plan, which is considered a priority. A guest episode featuring Cammy Russo, founder of the Defiant, is set to be released soon.