Session 1: Kickoff & Orientation
Developer Experience Working Group – Cohort 2
Welcome to our first session of the Developer Experience Working Group.
This kickoff introduced participants to the Cardano ecosystem — how it’s structured, where to find essential repositories and documentation, and how to start contributing as a developer.
We also outlined the 12-session roadmap and discussed how this working group will document every step to make joining Cardano easier for newcomers.
What We Covered
1. About Cardano
- Third-generation, proof-of-stake blockchain built for scalability, sustainability, and interoperability
- Research-driven development using the Ouroboros consensus protocol
- Multi-layered architecture separating settlement from computation
- Built for developers creating secure, peer-reviewed dApps and financial systems
2. About Intersect
- Member-based organization coordinating Cardano governance and open-source development
- Hosts working groups and committees that shape Cardano’s evolution
- Supports developer onboarding, documentation, and community collaboration
- Offers voting rights and participation in technical decision-making
Core Repositories Overview
Key repositories every builder should know:
- cardano-node – Core blockchain implementation
- cardano-cli – Command-line interface for node operations
- ouroboros-network – Networking layer for nodes
- plutus – Smart-contract platform
- aiken – Modern smart-contract language
- cardano-serialization-lib – Wallet and dApp integration library
- Mesh JS – Mesh is the open-source TypeScript SDK that helps developers write better code and scale applications with ease
Full repository tables and tooling references are included in the Kickoff & Orientation Guide, available through intersectmbo.org.
Documentation and Resources
The session guide includes:
- Repository references and learning paths
- SDKs, wallet tools, and testing frameworks
- Contributor checklists for developers, dApp builders, and node operators
- Community and governance links for continued learning
You can explore Intersect’s public documentation and working-group info at
docs.intersectmbo.org and intersectmbo.org.
Why Join Intersect
If you want to actively participate in Cardano’s growth, joining Intersect is the best way to do it.
As a member, you can:
- Vote on technical and governance matters that shape Cardano
- Join working groups and steering committees
- Access member-exclusive research, events, and developer resources
- Connect directly with builders, researchers, and contributors
There are two main paths for developers:
Associate Member (Free)
- Join working groups and the Intersect Discord
- Attend town halls and public events
- Receive community updates and newsletters
Individual Member ($10 per year)
- Gain full voting rights on governance and technical matters
- Participate in elections and committees
- Access member-exclusive resources and early development insights
Start by registering at
members.intersectmbo.org/registration,
then join the Intersect Discord community to get involved.
For the full membership breakdown, visit:
Why Join Intersect? Complete Membership Guide
Key Takeaways
- Cardano’s strength lies in its research foundation and open-source community.
- Intersect gives developers a voice in shaping that ecosystem.
- Contributions can start small — documentation, testing, and feedback all count.
- Every builder is welcome, regardless of background or experience.
Discussion
What part of the Cardano ecosystem are you most interested in exploring?
Are there specific tools or topics you’d like us to cover in upcoming sessions?
Reply below to share your ideas. We’ll collect feedback and questions for the next meeting.
Next Session: Opportunities as a Developer in Cardano
Date: Wednesday, October 22 2025 — 07:00 – 08:00 UTC