base-wallet

# 🔐 Base Wallet - Crypto Identity for AI Agents

> Every autonomous agent needs a wallet. Create one without human help.

**TL;DR:** Programmatic wallet creation on Base/Ethereum. SIWE auth, balance checks, transactions.

## Why Base Wallet?

- **True autonomy** — Your agent creates and controls its own wallet
- **No browser needed** — Pure CLI, no extensions or popups
- **SIWE ready** — Sign-In with Ethereum for Web3 services
- **Secure by default** — Environment variables, no plaintext keys

Create and manage Base chain (Ethereum-compatible) wallets programmatically.

---

## ⚠️ Security First

| ✅ DO | ❌ DON'T |
|-------|----------|
| Use **environment variables** for private keys | Store private keys in plain text files |
| Set wallet files to **chmod 600** | Commit wallet files to git |
| Use `--env` mode (recommended) | Use `console.log(privateKey)` |
| Back up mnemonics **offline** | Share private keys or mnemonics |

---

## Quick Start

### Create a New Wallet (Recommended)

```bash
# Output as environment variable format (safest)
node scripts/create-wallet.js --env

# Output example:
# export WALLET_ADDRESS="0x..."
# export PRIVATE_KEY="0x..."
```

Then copy to your shell or `.env` file.

### Create with File Storage (Opt-in)

```bash
# Only if you need file-based storage
node scripts/create-wallet.js --managed my-agent
```

⚠️ This stores private key in `~/.openclaw/wallets/my-agent.json`

---

## Usage Examples

### Load Wallet from Environment

```javascript
const { ethers } = require('ethers');

// ✅ SECURE: Load from environment variable
const wallet = new ethers.Wallet(process.env.PRIVATE_KEY);
console.log('Address:', wallet.address);
// ❌ NEVER: console.log('Private Key:', wallet.privateKey);
```

### Load from Mnemonic

```javascript
const wallet = ethers.Wallet.fromPhrase(process.env.MNEMONIC);
```

### Check Balance

```javascript
const provider = new ethers.JsonRpcProvider('https://mainnet.base.org');
const balance = await provider.getBalan...