WakeUp Labs Completes Key Milestone with Arbitrum: Making Smart Contracts More Accessible with AssemblyScript
TL;DR:
We have successfully completed Milestone #2 in our collaboration with Arbitrum. This milestone focused on feasibility: could AssemblyScript really work within the Stylus framework? Our team dove deep into the Stylus SDK, WebAssembly behavior, and developer tooling. The outcome: a working proof-of-concept, a detailed technical architecture, and a clear path forward.
Why This Matters
Our mission in Milestone #2 was to rigorously analyze whether AssemblyScript — a TypeScript-to-WebAssembly compiler — could be integrated with the Arbitrum Stylus SDK. The goal: enable developers to write Stylus-compatible smart contracts using a familiar, script-like syntax. With so many developers already proficient in JavaScript and TypeScript, AssemblyScript has the potential to broaden participation in smart contract development.
But first, we had to answer a critical question:
Can AssemblyScript work smoothly with Stylus?
To achieve this, we began by researching how AssemblyScript interacts with WebAssembly, focusing on its unique patterns and constraints. We then performed an in-depth analysis of the Stylus SDK to pinpoint the most viable integration points. Based on these insights, we defined the technical requirements needed to create robust AssemblyScript bindings. With those foundations in place, we designed a high-level architecture for the toolchain that outlines how the components would work together. Finally, we built an initial proof of concept to validate the core integration and demonstrate its potential.
What We Deliver
This phase was all about exploring that integration. Here’s what we delivered:
- Feasibility Report. A detailed study of AssemblyScript ↔ WebAssembly interaction challenges and Stylus SDK architecture.
- High-Level Architecture. We mapped out how AssemblyScript bindings would bridge into Stylus, including a modular view of necessary components.
- Roadmap. A technical trajectory covering how we’ll move from research to production-grade tools, with priorities for binding design and dev tooling.
- Initial Proof of Concept. A minimal implementation showing key components of AssemblyScript interacting with Stylus VM — early, but effective.
- A demo — as an example of a successful implementation integrated with Stylus VM.
What’s Next?
With Milestone #2 complete, we’re moving into Milestone #3: Core Development – Setting the Foundation, where we’ll:
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Build the actual AssemblyScript bindings and SDK-compatible APIs.
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Set up a dedicated WebAssembly compilation pipeline tailored for AssemblyScript.
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Begin developing developer-facing utilities for contract compilation and testing.
AssemblyScript offers a TypeScript-like syntax that lowers the learning curve for Web2 developers entering Web3. By bringing this to Stylus, we’re expanding the smart contract developer base — without compromising on performance or safety. It’s a step toward greater inclusivity and innovation in the Arbitrum ecosystem.
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