feat: load rpc additional methods by cli

[Wsteth]

This allows us to directly use the CLI to load scripts and extend our RPC methods. Others can easily extend rpc methods by using npx cli.

Here's an example:

npx @acala-network/chopsticks@latest --rpc-methods=https://example.com/test.js npx @acala-network/chopsticks@latest --rpc-methods=./test.js

The script:

return {
  async dev_testRpcMethod1(context, params, subscriptionManager) {
    console.log('dev_testRpcMethod 1')
  },
  async dev_testRpcMethod2(context, params, subscriptionManager) {
    console.log('dev_testRpcMethod 2')
  },
}

[xlc]

it make sense but I am worried about download and run js file from internet. that means someone can craft a malicious command that looks like setting up a chopsticks testnet but steals all the private keys

[ermalkaleci]

agree with @xlc

[Wsteth]

@xlc @ermalkaleci In that case, we can actually cancel the url loading method and only use local loading, or we can warn users that the URL method is risky.

[ermalkaleci]

Injecting code is never a good idea. If you need a new RPC then it will be better to write a plugin or fork it and have your custom version.

[xlc]

only local file is maybe fine. do you know any other npm cli tools offer similar ability to load 3rd party plugins? all I can think of is dev tools like eslint, which require user to have the plugin installed first and isn’t exactly suits here

[Wsteth]

@xlc npx download temporary builded publish npm scripts and run it, so if someone want to crack or do something else, they can also modify those scripts to do that.

[xlc]

It is different. when run npx some-package, it is the owner of the some-package you need to trust and if it contains malicious code, npm will remove such package.

I absolutely do not want people able to run npx @acala-network/chopsticks --rpc-methods=https://example.com and resulting malicious code execution.

[Wsteth]

It is different. when run npx some-package, it is the owner of the some-package you need to trust and if it contains malicious code, npm will remove such package.

I absolutely do not want people able to run npx @acala-network/chopsticks --rpc-methods=https://example.com and resulting malicious code execution.

I understand that situation, internet scripts may contains some malicious code and is untrustable. I mean if someone want to use injecting scirpts, he/she can also modify npx downloaded npm packages such as ~/.npm/_npx/xxxxxxxxxxx/

local injecting scripts is fine, we just want users to easily extends their rpc methods, not forks all repo and installs massive dependends.

[xlc]

Load from local file should be fine. Few things I would like to have:

• Forbid such option from config file, which could be loaded remotely. This means user have to explicit have such option in cli
• Prefix the cli with unsafe so people know it is unsafe
• Make it more generic, we already have a plugin system so should just allow people to load a local plugin, which can add rpc methods as well

[Wsteth]

Load from local file should be fine. Few things I would like to have:

• Forbid such option from config file, which could be loaded remotely. This means user have to explicit have such option in cli
• Prefix the cli with unsafe so people know it is unsafe
• Make it more generic, we already have a plugin system so should just allow people to load a local plugin, which can add rpc methods as well

Ok for 1, 2. What means of 3? Can you explain more or give me some examples?

[xlc]

https://github.com/AcalaNetwork/chopsticks/blob/master/packages/chopsticks/src/plugins/dry-run/rpc.ts this is a plugin implements the dev_dryRUn RPC

it is loaded here https://github.com/AcalaNetwork/chopsticks/blob/dc55b39e3cbc426c725b226584a78cc50a4ba28e/packages/chopsticks/src/plugins/index.ts#L22

so we just need to modify the load plugin code to also load the user supplied file

[Wsteth]

https://github.com/AcalaNetwork/chopsticks/blob/master/packages/chopsticks/src/plugins/dry-run/rpc.ts this is a plugin implements the dev_dryRUn RPC

it is loaded here

https://github.com/AcalaNetwork/chopsticks/blob/dc55b39e3cbc426c725b226584a78cc50a4ba28e/packages/chopsticks/src/plugins/index.ts#L22

so we just need to modify the load plugin code to also load the user supplied file

@xlc @ermalkaleci I've done these issues, pls check it.

[xlc]

can you add a test and update README to document this new feature? thanks

[Wsteth]

can you add a test and update README to document this new feature? thanks

DONE pls check it.

[xlc]

can you do a yarn fix and it should be good to merge

[ermalkaleci]

@xlc @Wsteth why don't we spend time and make a proper plugin implementation?

[xlc]

It is unclear about the requirement of the proper plugin implementation and we shouldn't overengineer it for features no one is asking