Create & Deploy an ERC-20 Token in 15 Minutes (Truffle, OpenZeppelin, Goerli)

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Creating your own ERC-20 token on Ethereum no longer requires deep blockchain expertise—thanks to modern development tools like Truffle, OpenZeppelin, and accessible testnets such as Goerli. This step-by-step guide walks you through deploying a fully functional ERC-20 token in under 15 minutes using secure, community-audited smart contracts.

Whether you're building a decentralized app (dApp), launching a community token, or just exploring Web3 development, this tutorial equips you with the foundational skills to get started—fast.

Why This Guide Is Up-to-Date

The Web3 ecosystem evolves rapidly. Many existing tutorials rely on deprecated tools—like the Rinkeby testnet, which was retired in 2022. This guide uses current best practices:

Let’s dive in.

Project Setup

Before writing any code, ensure your development environment is ready.

Prerequisites

Install Truffle globally using npm:

npm install -g truffle
✅ Verify installation: Run truffle version to confirm it's installed correctly.

We’ll name our token MyToken for demonstration purposes. Replace it with your desired token name when following along.

Initialize the Project

Create a new Truffle project:

truffle init MyToken && cd MyToken

This generates the standard Truffle structure:

Install Dependencies

Install OpenZeppelin Contracts for secure, pre-audited ERC-20 implementation:

npm install @openzeppelin/contracts

OpenZeppelin provides battle-tested implementations that prevent common vulnerabilities—critical for production-grade tokens.

👉 Get started with secure blockchain development tools today.

Write Your ERC-20 Token Contract

Navigate to the contracts/ folder and create MyToken.sol.

Solidity Code Explained

// SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT
pragma solidity ^0.8.17;

import "@openzeppelin/contracts/token/ERC20/ERC20.sol";

contract MyToken is ERC20 {
    constructor(
        string memory name,
        string memory symbol,
        uint256 initialSupply
    ) ERC20(name, symbol) {
        require(initialSupply > 0, "Initial supply must be greater than 0");
        _mint(msg.sender, initialSupply * 10**18);
    }
}

Key Concepts:

Configure Truffle for Deployment

Update truffle-config.js to support local testing and Goerli deployment.

require("dotenv").config();
const { MNEMONIC, PROJECT_ID } = process.env;
const HDWalletProvider = require("@truffle/hdwallet-provider");

module.exports = {
  networks: {
    development: {
      host: "127.0.0.1",
      port: 9545,
      network_id: "*",
    },
    goerli: {
      provider: () =>
        new HDWalletProvider(
          MNEMONIC,
          `https://goerli.infura.io/v3/${PROJECT_ID}`
        ),
      network_id: 5,
      confirmations: 2,
      timeoutBlocks: 200,
      skipDryRun: true,
    },
  },
  compilers: {
    solc: {
      version: "0.8.17",
    },
  },
};

Install Required Packages

npm install @truffle/hdwallet-provider dotenv

Set Up Environment Variables

Create a .env file in the root directory:

MNEMONIC="your twelve-word metamask recovery phrase"
PROJECT_ID="your-infura-project-id"
🔐 Never commit .env to version control. Add it to .gitignore.

Retrieve Your MetaMask Recovery Phrase

To sign transactions, Truffle needs access to your wallet.

  1. Open MetaMask browser extension.
  2. Click the three dots → Settings → Advanced → Show Secret Recovery Phrase.
  3. Copy the 12-word phrase into .env as MNEMONIC.
⚠️ Keep this phrase offline and secure. Never share it.

Get an Infura API Key

Infura provides RPC access to Ethereum networks without running your own node.

  1. Go to infura.io and sign up (free tier available).
  2. Create a new project → Select Web3 API.
  3. Choose Goerli from endpoints.
  4. Copy the URL: https://goerli.infura.io/v3/YOUR_PROJECT_ID
  5. Paste only the ID into .env as PROJECT_ID.

Create Migration Script

Migrations automate contract deployment.

Create migrations/1_initial_migration.js:

const MyToken = artifacts.require("MyToken");

module.exports = (deployer) => {
  deployer.deploy(MyToken, "MyToken", "MYT", 100000);
};

This script:

Deploy Locally for Testing

Test your setup before going live.

  1. Start Truffle’s built-in blockchain:
truffle develop
  1. Compile contracts:
compile

Output should show successful compilation and artifact generation.

  1. Deploy with migration:
migrate --reset

Use --reset to redeploy from scratch if testing multiple times.

Interact with Your Token

Once deployed:

token = await MyToken.deployed()
name = await token.name()
symbol = await token.symbol()
decimals = (await token.decimals()).toString()
balance = (await token.balanceOf(accounts[0])).toString()

Expected output:

You now have a working ERC-20 token on a local chain!

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Deploy to Goerli Testnet

Now deploy publicly so others can interact with your token.

Get Goerli ETH

Switch MetaMask network to Goerli Test Network:

Visit a faucet like goerlifaucet.com, enter your address, and claim test ETH.

Wait for confirmation in MetaMask.

Run Migration on Goerli

Back in your terminal:

truffle migrate --reset --network goerli

Successful output includes:

Save the contract address—you’ll need it next.

Verify on Etherscan

Explore your deployed token at:

https://goerli.etherscan.io/address/YOUR_CONTRACT_ADDRESS

You’ll see:

Etherscan confirms your token is live and verifiable by anyone.

Add Token to MetaMask

Make your token visible in your wallet.

  1. In MetaMask, click Import Tokens.
  2. Paste the contract address.
  3. Wait for auto-fill of symbol and decimals.
  4. Click Add Custom Token.

Your balance should appear instantly!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I change the number of decimals?

Yes! Modify the _mint line to use a different exponent (e.g., 10**6 for 6 decimals). Just ensure consistency across all systems interacting with your token.

Is OpenZeppelin safe to use?

Absolutely. OpenZeppelin Contracts are open-source, widely audited, and used by major protocols like Uniswap and Aave. They follow security-first principles.

What happens if I lose my MNEMONIC?

If someone gains access to your recovery phrase, they control your funds. Always store it securely offline—never in cloud notes or screenshots.

Can I upgrade my token later?

By default, this implementation is immutable. For upgradable contracts, consider OpenZeppelin’s Upgradeable Contracts library—but weigh complexity vs. necessity.

Why use Goerli instead of Sepolia?

Goerli supports both Proof-of-Authority (PoA) and cross-client compatibility, making it ideal for developers testing interoperability. It also has broader tooling support.

How much does deployment cost?

On Goerli, gas is free (test ETH). On mainnet, expect $30–$150 depending on network congestion. You can estimate costs using ethgasstation.info.

Final Thoughts

You’ve just created and deployed a compliant ERC-20 token using industry-standard tools—all in minutes.

From here, consider:

Blockchain development has never been more accessible.

👉 Take your next step into Web3 with trusted infrastructure and developer resources.