Getting Started
Tip any open-source GitHub repository in crypto. The entire flow takes less than a minute.
Prerequisites
- A crypto wallet — an Opentip Smart Wallet (recommended, no extension needed) or an external wallet (MetaMask, Rainbow, etc.)
- ETH on Base for gas fees (tips are free to send — gas is minimal on Base L2)
- USDC or ETH on Base. OAR is coming soon.
Step 1 — Find a repo
Visit the Repos page to browse all registered repositories. You can search by name or sort by most tipped, most recent, or number of tips.
You can also visit a repo page directly using the URL format:
opentip.tech/tip/{owner}/{repo}For example: opentip.tech/tip/vercel/next.js
Each repo page has two tabs — Tip (tipping form and stats) and About (AI-generated summary and developer links). Check the About tab to learn what a project does before tipping.
Step 2 — Connect your wallet
On the repo page, click Connect wallet. This opens the wallet modal where you can choose your provider — injected wallets (MetaMask, Rabby, etc.) or WalletConnect for mobile wallets.
Signed in? Your Opentip Smart Wallet is already available — same address on every device, no extension needed.
You do not need an Opentip account to tip. Just connect a wallet and you are ready to go.
Step 3 — Choose currency and amount
USDC tips
Select USDC, enter a dollar amount (minimum $1). Every payment approves the Opentip contract for that exact amount, then sends the payment. From an external wallet those are two confirmations. The Opentip Smart Wallet batches them into one confirmation.
ETH tips
Select ETH, enter an amount. Your wallet sends ETH directly to the contract via a payable call. No swaps needed.
OAR
OAR tipping is coming soon. Choosing OAR in the token menu shows "OAR tipping coming soon" and keeps your current token.
Step 4 — Send the tip
Click Tip. Your wallet will prompt you to confirm the transaction. On Base, transactions confirm in about 2 seconds with negligible gas fees.
Once confirmed, your tip appears in the repo's activity feed and leaderboard. You're done.
Setting a display name
By default, tippers are identified by their wallet address. You can set a display name (like "Alice" or "Satoshi") that appears in activity feeds and leaderboards.
On any repo page, enter a name next to the amount and click Save. You will need to sign a message with your wallet to prove ownership. The name is stored and shown for later payments from that address. An Opentip Smart Wallet can sign this too.
Sharing a tip link
Every repo page has a Copy tip link button. Share it on social media, in READMEs, or in issues so others can tip the same project.
https://opentip.tech/tip/{owner}/{repo}How fees work
The contract deducts its platform fee before a maintainer can claim. The tip page shows that split before you confirm.
Fees are non-refundable once a transaction is confirmed on-chain. The fee rate is capped at 10% and can only be changed by the contract owner.