Warpcast and the Farcaster protocol have introduced a suite of features that, when used in combination, enable the creation of comprehensive application experiences within the Warpcast. This approach differs from traditional mini-apps, instead leveraging Casts, Programmable DMs, Frames, Cast Actions, and Composer Actions to build fully-functional applications within the Warpcast platform.
The Design Space
1. Casts: Casts serve as the primary primitive and foundational element of Farcaster. They function as the main verb of the platform, with users "casting" their content. This action extends beyond simple posting; it is the central mechanism for information distribution and interaction initiation. Casts form the building blocks of the entire Farcaster ecosystem, providing the essential distribution channel for any Farcaster-based application. They can spread via the reCast.
2. Direct Messages (DMs): DMs offer a channel for private, peer-to-peer communication within Warpcast. When a user follows an application's account, it gains the ability to send 1:1 private messages to users. This feature enables applications to deliver notifications or present frames for enhanced interaction directly to users. For example, Moxie utilizes DMs to notify users of Fan Token Auctions, while Events.xyz sends reminders for upcoming events.
3. Frames: Frames are compact, self-contained applications that facilitate a new model of user interaction and developer experimentation. Frames allow users to engage with external applications and services directly within their social feed, streamlining the traditional Web2 user funnel into a single, efficient interaction. Notably, frames can trigger onchain actions and transactions, facilitating NFT sales, token swaps, and other payment-related functions. They have been employed to power e-commerce experiences and entire application experiences such as Bountycaster bounties and Moxie Fan Tokens.
4. Cast Actions: These interactive elements, attached to each Cast, extend beyond traditional engagement affordances. Cast Actions serve as extensible interaction points, enabling a diverse range of user engagements directly from the Cast itself. Examples include checking the author's FID, viewing their token holdings, or setting up notifications for Cast replies.
5. Composer Actions: This feature enhances the Cast creation process. Composer Actions provide users with a suite of tools and integrations at the point of content creation, expanding the potential complexity and interactivity of Casts. The end result of a Composer Action should be a Cast which it helped craft. Notable examples include Ponder's Polls and Nook's Ratings Composer actions, which allow users to rate and cast a song along with its associated links.
Potential Applications
1. Social Trading (DeFi): You should be able to trade on the same channels you are receiving your alpha and talking about tokens. You could receive a DM when someone you are following makes a trade along with a Frame to copy trade them. Frames could display real-time APYs, while Cast Actions could help you check how much of the token someone hyping it has. You can make trades directly from a Composer Action and then share the trade on Farcaster, including a frame for others to Copy Trade.
2. Onchain Governance: The system could streamline DAO operations. Composer Actions might be used to craft lightweight proposals with frames that have embedded voting mechanisms on them. DM's can let you know of new votes available and share the voting frames. Cast Actions can allow you to heatcheck an idea for a proposal.
3. Decentralized Content Marketplace: A content marketplace could leverage Farcaster's features to create a seamless environment for creators and consumers. Creators could use Composer Actions to craft and publish content directly within the platform. Frames could display content teasers of token-gated content and provide in-feed mints. DMs could be utilized for personalized recommendations or notifications about new content from followed creators.
The combination of Casts, Programmable DMs, Frames, Cast Actions, and Composer Actions in the Farcaster ecosystem represents a novel approach to application development, disctirbution and user interactions on social media. As the Warpcast team continues to refine these primitives and the network expands, Farcaster-native applications may significantly influence the evolution of social media and decentralized application interactions. This approach could reshape onchain user experiences and developer strategies.
