Sparkle Protocol – Changelog

Scope

This changelog tracks substantive changes to the Sparkle Protocol specifications and documentation. It does not track implementation changes, because no official implementation exists.

Version 0.2.0 – November 2024

Major restructure for clarity and honesty

  • Added "Why This Exists (Even If It Never Ships)" section to homepage
  • Added three reading paths (Overview, Design, Implementation) for different audiences
  • Added "Critical Self-Assessment" documenting weaknesses and limitations
  • Created practical guides:
    • "How Recursive Inscriptions Actually Work" – working code and real examples
    • "Real Alternatives to Sparkle Protocol" – honest comparison of production options
  • Added glossary of key terms with neutral definitions
  • Added DARKITA case study as illustrative example (not marketing)
  • Updated all pages with consistent navigation and status warnings
  • Clarified experimental status throughout documentation
  • Removed misleading claims about production readiness

Version 0.1.0 – January 2025 (Original)

Initial publication

  • Initial publication of the Sparkle Protocol whitepaper
  • Added technical implementation analysis and practical implementation guide
  • Added formal security analysis (theoretical; not peer-reviewed)
  • Documented conceptual SDK API and coordinator behavior
  • Published SIP‑3 draft for Lightning‑atomic NFT trades
  • Created protocol comparison with BRC-20, GBRC-721, Runes, Stamps
  • Published vision and roadmap document

Key Changes Summary

Documentation Philosophy Change

Version 0.2.0 represents a fundamental shift from promotional to educational documentation:

  • Before: Presented as upcoming protocol with implied production readiness
  • After: Clearly labeled as experimental research with no production implementation

Content Additions

New Content Purpose
Recursive Inscriptions Guide Practical implementation with working code
Alternatives Page Honest comparison of production options
Reading Paths Structured navigation for different audiences
Critical Self-Assessment Transparent documentation of limitations
Glossary Clear definitions of technical terms

Clarity Improvements

  • Added explicit "testnet only" warnings throughout
  • Clarified no production implementation exists
  • Distinguished between working techniques (recursive inscriptions) and theoretical proposals (Lightning integration)
  • Added "You are here" navigation context on spec pages

Future Considerations

Potential updates that may be added in future versions:

  • Interactive cost calculator for inscription planning
  • Code repository with working recursive inscription examples
  • Video tutorials for practical techniques
  • Community contributions section (if community develops)
  • Migration guides from theoretical to practical implementations

Note: As Sparkle Protocol has no active development team or roadmap, future updates to this documentation may be limited or non-existent. The protocol exists primarily as a research artifact and educational resource.

Version Numbering

This documentation uses semantic versioning:

  • Major version (X.0.0): Fundamental changes to protocol design or documentation structure
  • Minor version (0.X.0): Significant content additions or reorganization
  • Patch version (0.0.X): Minor corrections, typos, clarifications

Current version: 0.2.0

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