A typical Cosmos SDK module can be structured as follows:
x/{module}
├── client
│ ├── cli
│ │ ├── query.go
│ │ └── tx.go
│ └── rest
│ ├── query.go
│ └── tx.go
├── exported
│ └── exported.go
├── internal
│ ├── keeper
│ │ ├── invariants.go
│ │ ├── keeper.go
│ │ ├── ...
│ │ └── querier.go
│ └── types
│ ├── codec.go
│ ├── errors.go
│ ├── events.go
│ ├── expected_keepers.go
│ ├── genesis.go
│ ├── keys.go
│ ├── msgs.go
│ ├── params.go
│ ├── ...
│ └── querier.go
├── abci.go
├── alias.go
├── genesis.go
├── handler.go
├── module.go
├── ...
└── simulation.go
abci.go
: The module'sBeginBlocker
andEndBlocker
implementations (if any).alias.go
: The module's exported types, constants, and variables. These are mainly to improve developer ergonomics by only needing to import a single package. Note, there is nothing preventing developers from importing other packages from the module (excludinginternal/
) but it is recommended thatalias.go
have everything exposed that other modules may need. The majority of the exported values here will typically come frominternal/
(see below).client/
: The module's CLI and REST client functionality implementation and testing.exported/
: The module's exported types -- typically type interfaces. If a module relies on other module keepers, it is expected to receive them as interface contracts through theexpected_keepers.go
(which are detailed below) design to avoid having a direct dependency on the implementing module. However, these contracts can define methods that operate on and/or return types that are specific to the contract's implementing module and this is whereexported/
comes into play. Types defined here allow forexpected_keepers.go
in other modules to define contracts that use single canonical types. This pattern allows for code to remain DRY and also alleviates import cycle chaos.genesis.go
: The module's genesis related business logic (e.g.InitGenesis
). Note, genesis types are defined ininternal/types
.handler.go
: The module's message handlers.internal/
: The module's internal types and implementations. The purpose of this package is mainly two fold. First, it signals that this package is not intended to be used or imported anywhere outside the defining module. Secondly, it goes hand-in-hand withalias.go
in that it allows public types and functions to be used internally while not being exposed outside to the outside world. This allows for greater freedom of development while maintaining API stability.internal/types
: The module's type definitions such as messages,KVStore
keys, parameter types, andexpected_keepers.go
contracts.internal/keeper
: The module's keeper implementation along with any auxiliary implementations such as the querier and invariants.
module.go
: The module's implementation of theAppModule
andAppModuleBasic
interfaces.simulation.go
: The module's simulation messages and related types (if any).
Learn about interfaces {hide}