Reviewing the V3 ENS Manager App
Introduction
On April 17th, Taytems.eth, a member of the ENS Labs Core team, announced that the latest version (V3) of the ENS App had been launched on Mainnet. The newly redesigned front-end of the ENS Manager App has undergone a complete overhaul. The new design system not only makes it easier to introduce new features and regular improvements, but it also boasts a faster user interface and a more user-friendly experience. These improvements are expected to encourage more users to fully set up their ENS names.
Since the beginning of using ENS as my identity in Web3, I leveraged the records of an @ensdomains. I always told people, if you want to trust my links and details, look up my profile at Etherscan, because the interface of the ENS App was a little complicated sometimes.
This… pic.twitter.com/oDYHEXNKYS— sio.eth (@sio_eth) April 20, 2023
The V3 redesign is based on Thorin: ENS Design System – A design system for ENS built with React and styled-components, and has been designed with a mobile-first approach in mind. The app has been efficiently redesigned from scratch and features new functionalities, UX improvements, and fewer transactions and processes than V2.
This is just the beginning of the V3 development roadmap, and more exciting features and improvements are expected to be introduced in the near future. The latest update has resolved major bugs and minor fixes are currently being worked on to ensure that the app operates smoothly.
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Tl;dr
Features:
Redesigned V3 manager app with mobile-first approach using Thorin: Web3 Native Design System
Efficient redesign done from scratch
Addition of new features and UX improvements resulting in fewer transactions and processes
More V3 developments in the pipeline
Major bugs fixed with minor fixes currently in progress
User-friendly nomenclature; ie. substituting “Registrant” with “Owner”
Overall, the V3 redesign of the ENS Manager App offers a significant improvement to the user experience, making it easier and more efficient for users to manage their ENS names and engage with the Ethereum blockchain.
7 Changes I like from the New ENS Manager App 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/6nLFAZ21Qv
— dr3a.eth (@dr3a_eth) April 25, 2023
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What is it?
The ENS Manager App is a user-friendly application that allows users to easily search for and register unique ENS names ending in “.eth” and other compatible domain names. The Ethereum Name Service (ENS) acts as a mapping system that translates human-readable names, such as “estmcmxci.eth”, into machine-readable wallet addresses like “0x60dbF50076206…”.
With the ENS Manager App, users can register and manage their ENS names, which allows for secure and decentralized transactions to occur without the need for long and complex addresses. Additionally, it minimizes the chances of input errors when typing out the recipient’s address to transfer funds.
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What’s New?
The latest version of the ENS Manager App introduces a completely new, mobile-first, improved user experience. The new interface is smoother, faster, and more visually appealing than the original app. Connecting your wallet to the app is a breeze, thanks to the Connect Wallet Kit, which supports wallet connection with Coinbase Wallet, Rainbow, MetaMask, or any wallet that supports WalletConnect.
This is an actual screenshot from my actual phone 👀
That's right, alpha is now on mainnet! https://t.co/JVdoW1UYxE pic.twitter.com/l1O5jPGEtV— domico.eth (@domicoeth) April 18, 2023
One of the standout features of the new app is its improved search function, which provides a preview of the name’s availability and makes it easier to find and register ENS names.
Once you sign in with your wallet, you can easily view all of your registered ENS names by clicking on “My Names”. This will lead to a list of all names managed by the account; the names are listed according to the expiry date.
Managing your ENS names with the V3 version is simple and straightforward. By clicking on a registered name, you can easily access multiple options to manage it, such as the “Profile”, “Records”, “Subnames”, and “More” tabs. You can also set your profile picture as many times as you’d like without paying gas. It is important to note that to take full advantage of the V3 version, you must update your resolver and migrate your profile. To learn more about this, click here.
Using the “Records” tab, you can easily edit all your records, while the “Subnames” tab allows you to create new subnames with ease. Clicking on “More” gives you an option to extend your registration and transfer ownership as well. Overall, the new and improved ENS Manager App V3 offers a more intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easier than ever to manage and interact with your ENS names.
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Testing
We put the ENS V3 to the test by attempting to register “ensdaorules.eth”. This took us to the registration page, which has been updated with a cleaner and more modern design. A particularly nice feature is the ability to display fees in either ETH or USD, making it easier for users to understand the costs involved in registering their ENS name. We were also delighted to find out that you can now set up primary / text records during registration.
Furthermore, the updated app now allows users to register their ENS name using a credit or debit card, thanks to the integration of MoonPay. To register a name using this feature, you’ll need to create an account with MoonPay. This is a significant improvement over previous versions of the app, which required users to go through a more complex process to register their name.
The new ENS Manager App allows you to register ENS names with your credit or debit card via @moonpay! 🔥
Check it out at https://t.co/HyFcNRmmj0 pic.twitter.com/EULNqrohrR— sadaf.eth (@sadaf_eth) April 20, 2023
Another feature that we loved about the ENS V3 app was the portability of the support tab. It’s conveniently located under the three bars module and provides easy access to a range of helpful features, including language-accessibility options, currency settings, and links to support, Github, governance documentation, as well as the app’s Terms of Use. There’s also a link to the legacy ENS app as well; in case you were feeling nostalgic.
Additionally, the support tab displays the current GWEI on Mainnet, which is extremely helpful when registering ENS names. Having all of these features in one place makes the process of registering ENS names much simpler and more efficient. Overall, the support tab is an excellent addition to the app, and we appreciate the thought that went into making it as user-friendly and convenient as possible.
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Name Wrapper
Do this if you plan to issue subnames with fuse permission features:
To make the most of your existing ENS names, it’s recommended to update any existing names registered with the previous ENS Manager App to the new Resolver and migrate the profile. Please note, this does not wrap the ENS name to the Name Wrapper. The name will remain an ERC-721. Also, migrating your profile and updating your records to the new resolver costs gas. In order to make use of the Name Wrapper feature, you will need to then wrap your existing ENS name by visiting the Profile page and selecting “Upgrade”.
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What is the Name Wrapper?
The Name Wrapper is an upgrade that enables older ENS names to access modern features like burnable permissions and ERC1155 NFT support. Newly registered names are automatically wrapped.
Before the Name Wrapper, only .eth 2LDs (second-level domains, like ens.eth) had ERC-721 NFTs associated with them, unless the owner created a separate custom contract. If you have an unwrapped name, you will see a prompt to upgrade in the ENS app, but upgrading is optional, and your name will still work without it. For a full list of features, check out the ENS’ Github page.
When you wrap a name in the Name Wrapper contract, it means you’re giving the contract ownership of that name. In exchange, you get a special digital sticker called an ERC-1155 NFT. This sticker proves that you’re the owner of the wrapped name. Your parent can also do something called “burning fuses” now.
By transferring subnames to the Name Wrapper contract, they are converted into ERC-1155 NFTs, rendering them tradable and transferable between parties. This innovative approach creates a decentralized filing system with rental options, providing a unique solution for managing ENS names.
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How to Register your ENS with V3
Registering an ENS name is easy; just follow these three simple steps:
Step 1: Connect your wallet to the ENS Manager App and search for the name you want. If it’s available, select the number of years you want to register it for and choose whether you want it to be your wallet’s primary name. You can also add additional records during the registration process by selecting “Edit Profile.”
Step 2: Click “Request to Register” to start the registration process. This will initiate a 0 ETH transaction that hashes your name with a secret key to ensure its security. Please note that this transaction will still incur a gas fee.
Step 3: Wait 60 seconds to prevent front-running, and then click “Register” to complete the registration process. You’ll need to approve the transaction in your wallet, and then wait for it to be processed by the Ethereum blockchain.
Congratulations! You now own your very own ENS name. Please note that you have seven days to complete the registration process before the “Request to Register” transaction expires. Additionally, be sure to double-check the registration length and fees before completing the registration process. Finally, remember that clearing your cache or switching browsers could cause you to lose your secret key and require you to repeat the registration process.
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Conclusion
Significant changes have been made to the ENS app with a focus on improving the mobile experience. The redesign includes the tab bar, search, and modal windows, specifically tailored for mobile devices. The search bar has been overhauled to provide users with a search history and more information during searches. Additionally, there have been performance improvements resulting in fewer network requests and faster experiences. Enhancements also include quick look profiles, enhanced name filtering, and better accessibility.
The app and related packages are open-source on GitHub, making it easily accessible for developers. ENSjs v3 features a fully dynamic loading system and user-friendly batching functions. The app is powered by Thorin, a new React design system, ensuring a simple and intuitive experience for both users and developers.
The new app is considered the future of ENS, and the team welcomes feedback and bug reports through Twitter, the ENS DAO forum, or Discord.
Visit the new ENS app at app.ens.domains.