Developer Console Update
The DIMO Developer Console just got a big tune-up under the hood.
With the beta launch in August, the Developer Console gave engineers the first opportunity to build on DIMO using an all-in-one, self-service dashboard. Then in September, EthOnline hackers provided valuable feedback on what features and tools would make building apps for cars even easier.
Today, a handful of critical features are being added to the Developer Console that fulfill the original vision of the platform and officially upgrade it to version 1.0.
Global Accounts Support
The Developer Console now supports DIMO Global Accounts, a totally new & streamlined account management system unveiled this week. You can still sign in with a Google or GitHub account, but this will also automatically provision you with a DIMO Global Account. Additionally, If your email matches the one you’ve already used with the DIMO mobile app, you’ll gain access to the same account on the console, complete with the same passkey for seamless integration.
If you’ve previously registered a developer license on the old console, your license remains valid but will not be managed via the new Developer Console. Management of legacy developer licenses will be done directly onchain, and instructions for how to do this can be found in the Developer License Documentation.
By supporting Global Accounts, the Developer Console removes a significant hurdle to getting started building on DIMO for web3 & web2 devs alike.
DCX Credits
DIMO Credits (aka DCX) are the stablecoin currency used by developers building on the DIMO Network. Applications and businesses spend this DCX when accessing vehicle data & commands, or perform protocol operations like minting a device, through the APIs.
To learn more about the various DCX costs for performing onchain actions, refer to the DIMO Improvement Proposal (DIP) for vehicle data access and flat protocol fees.
Fiat On-Ramp
One of the significant new features in the Developer Console is the ability for users to purchase DIMO Developer Credits (DCX) using a fiat on-ramp. Thanks to an integration with Stripe, users can now use a debit or credit card to obtain DCX straight from the browser in a couple clicks. Do be aware there are some regional restrictions around using the Stripe on-ramp. If crypto is still your preferred payment method, you can use your existing balance of $DIMO, $POL, or $WMATIC.
Think of DCX as the DIMO-equivalent of AWS credits. A stable token used to power your development infrastructure. DCX is a critical component contributing to the decentralization of the network, and gives developers access to vehicle data without the need of an intermediary.
Updated Documentation
The DIMO developer docs are also consistently being improved with new explainers, expanded how-tos, and valuable references for all the latest APIs and SDKs. The docs are your one-stop-shop for learning about all the resources and tools at your disposal. Here are some of the articles that have been drastically expanded upon recently:
Login With DIMO
Login with DIMO is a brand new React component SDK, equipping developers with a set of pre-built, customizable building blocks for applications that integrate with DIMO. This set of components greatly simplifies the process of integrating Accounts API and Transactions SDK in React applications.
Login With DIMO offers maximum flexibility when it comes to integration modes, enabling you to embed the login button as an embed, popup, or redirect. It also uses familiar authentication methods, providing users a one-time-password through email with passkey support as well.
Check out the Github Repo to learn about the technical details of the component, or dive straight into the NPM Package for assistance with installing the SDK. Finally, to see how the end product will appear, take a look at this example webpage that displays the React component in use. Login With DIMO has also been implemented in various DIMO utilities like the Monthly Usage Report and the Trips Sandbox.
Builders Gonna Build
The DIMO developer ecosystem, and the availability of tools & resources, has made huge strides over the last few months. There’s never been a better time to begin experimenting with building apps for cars on top of the wealth of vehicle data on the DIMO network.
The iPhone was a monumental invention, but it wasn’t until the App Store launched that it revolutionized mobile computing. That was the point when independent developers and builders really pushed the limits of what was possible. DIMO wants to usher in that “App Store moment” for vehicles, and we can’t wait to see what powerful & creative ideas are built using DIMO’s tooling, APIs, SDKs, and Developer Console.
To get you started, DIMO’s Head of Developer Relations, James Li, shows off all the capabilities of the fully-featured Developer Console in a new demonstration walkthrough.
If you want to connect with James about building on DIMO, reach out on X or LinkedIn.
James Li is on the DIMO Engineering team. Before DIMO, he spent 10+ years leading integration efforts for a last-mile delivery platform, a customer engagement platform for utilities, and defect inspection systems for semiconductors. James enjoys working with cutting-edge technology and working alongside creative thinkers.