How to use the Polkagate Snap
The Polkagate Snap is a MetaMask snap designed to enable MetaMask to interact with tokens within the Polkadot ecosystem, including Polkadot, Kusama, and more.
To use the snap, you must first install MetaMask and create your initial account on Ethereum. This will generate a recovery phrase, which the Polkagate snap will utilize to derive accounts for the Polkadot ecosystem.
After MetaMask installation, manage your Polkadot ecosystem accounts and perform various transactions by installing the Polkagate snap. Users can install snaps by visiting the MetaMask snap directory or each snap's specific dApp, which for the Polkagate snap the dapp address is https://apps.polkagate.xyz/ where users can manage transactions such as fund transfers, staking, participating in crowdloans, and more.
If users visit apps.polkagate.xyz, they will be prompted (as shown below) to connect with the snap and install it if not already installed.
The installation process prompts users with the necessary permissions required for enabling the snap on MetaMask, as illustrated in the screenshots below:
Once installed, the Polkagate snap in MetaMask enables users to manage their Polkadot accounts, sign and verify all kind of transactions, and handle raw data signing. This video provides a step-by-step guide on installing the Polkagate snap and completing a sample transaction.
Although the MetaMask Snaps UI is currently limited, future updates will enhance its features. Currently, you can view your account's address and balance through the settings by clicking on the snap, opening its home page as shown below.
Polkagate snap within MetaMask enables you to sign diverse transactions initiated by dapps like apps.polkagate.xyz. The following example illustrates a staking popup in the snap, initiated by the dapp and necessitating user approval. Users should meticulously review the information presented in the popup, including the originating dapp, transaction action, and its parameter(s). After thorough verification, they can sign the transaction by clicking the 'approve' button. This action sends the signed transaction to the dapp for broadcasting onto the blockchain.
After completing this step, you'll receive the transaction result, which can either be a success or a failure, along with its reasons from the dapp.