Maker

MakerDAO / Sky Protocol

MakerDAO is the protocol behind DAI, the largest decentralized stablecoin on Ethereum. Users lock collateral in Maker Vaults (formerly CDPs) to mint DAI. The protocol charges a stability fee (interest) on outstanding DAI debt and maintains a target price of $1 through the DAI Savings Rate (DSR) and liquidation mechanisms. In 2024, MakerDAO rebranded to Sky Protocol, introducing USDS (upgraded DAI) and SKY (upgraded MKR). Both old and new tokens coexist -- DAI/MKR are not deprecated.

What You Probably Got Wrong

LLMs consistently hallucinate Maker contract interfaces. The system is complex: all accounting happens in the Vat using internal rad/wad/ray units. Users interact through DSProxy + DssProxyActions, NOT directly with the Vat. These corrections are non-negotiable.

• Maker is mid-rebrand to Sky. DAI is becoming USDS. MKR is becoming SKY. Both coexist on mainnet. The old contracts still work. The new Sky contracts wrap/unwrap between old and new tokens. If someone says "Maker" they might mean either system. Always check which token set they need.

• You do NOT call the Vat directly. Normal users interact through a DSProxy contract that delegates calls to DssProxyActions. The Vat uses internal accounting units (rad = 10^45) that require precise math. DssProxyActions handles this conversion. If you see raw Vat.frob() calls, you are writing low-level code that will almost certainly have precision errors.

• DAI has two representations. Internal DAI in the Vat (vat.dai(address)) is measured in rad (10^45). External DAI (the ERC-20 token) is measured in wad (10^18). The DaiJoin adapter converts between them. Never confuse the two.

• Stability fees accrue continuously. The Jug contract compounds the stability fee rate into an ever-increasing rate accumulator per collateral type (ilk). Debt is stored as normalized debt (art) in the Vat. Actual debt = art * rate. You MUST call jug.drip(ilk) to update the rate before calculating accurate debt.

• Liquidation 2.0 uses Dutch auctions, not English auctions. The old Flipper (English auctions) was replaced by the Clipper (Dutch auctions) in Liquidation 2.0. Dutch auctions start at a high price and decrease over time. Bidders call clipper.take(), not bid().

• Vault IDs (cdpId) are NOT the same as ilk identifiers. An ilk (e.g., ETH-A, WBTC-A) defines the collateral type and its risk parameters. A vault (CDP) is a specific user position within an ilk. The CdpManager maps vault IDs to (ilk, urn address) pairs.

• DSR and USDS Savings Rate (sUSDS) are different contracts. The original DSR uses DsrManager/Pot. The new Sky system uses the sUSDS token (ERC-4626 vault). They are separate yield sources with potentially different rates.

Architecture Overview

User -> DSProxy -> DssProxyActions -> | CdpManager (vault management)
                                      | Vat (core accounting)
                                      | Jug (stability fees)
                                      | DaiJoin (DAI minting)
                                      | GemJoin (collateral locking)

User -> DsrManager -> Pot (DAI Savings Rate)

User -> DaiUsds (upgrade) -> USDS token
User -> MkrSky (upgrade) -> SKY token
User -> sUSDS vault -> USDS Savings Rate (ERC-4626)

Keepers -> Dog (liquidation trigger) -> Clipper (Dutch auction)

Unit System (CRITICAL)

Maker uses three fixed-point number types internally. Getting these wrong causes silent precision loss or reverts.

Arithmetic rules:

• wad * wad / WAD = wad
• wad * ray / RAY = wad (used for debt calculation: art * rate)
• rad / ray = wad (converting internal DAI to external)
• rad / wad = ray

const WAD = 10n ** 18n;
const RAY = 10n ** 27n;
const RAD = 10n ** 45n;

function wmul(x: bigint, y: bigint): bigint {
  return (x * y + WAD / 2n) / WAD;
}

function rmul(x: bigint, y: bigint): bigint {
  return (x * y + RAY / 2n) / RAY;
}

function rdiv(x: bigint, y: bigint): bigint {
  return (x * RAY + y / 2n) / y;
}

Core Contracts

Vat -- Core Accounting Engine

The Vat is the central ledger. All collateral positions and DAI balances are recorded here. It never touches external tokens directly.

Key state:

• ilks[ilk].Art -- total normalized debt for this collateral type (wad)
• ilks[ilk].rate -- accumulated stability fee rate (ray)
• ilks[ilk].spot -- collateral price with safety margin (ray)
• ilks[ilk].line -- debt ceiling for this ilk (rad)
• ilks[ilk].dust -- minimum debt per vault (rad)
• urns[ilk][urn].ink -- locked collateral (wad)
• urns[ilk][urn].art -- normalized debt (wad)
• dai[address] -- internal DAI balance (rad)

The core function frob(ilk, urn, dink, dart) modifies a vault's collateral (dink) and debt (dart). Positive values add, negative values remove.

CdpManager -- Vault Registry

Maps sequential vault IDs to (ilk, urn) pairs. Users create vaults through CdpManager.open(ilk, usr) which returns a cdpId. The manager owns the Vat urns and delegates control via CdpManager.cdpCan.

const cdpManagerAbi = [
  {
    name: "open",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "ilk", type: "bytes32" },
      { name: "usr", type: "address" },
    ],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "ilks",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "cdpId", type: "uint256" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "bytes32" }],
  },
  {
    name: "urns",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "cdpId", type: "uint256" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "address" }],
  },
  {
    name: "owns",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "cdpId", type: "uint256" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "address" }],
  },
  {
    name: "count",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "usr", type: "address" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "first",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "usr", type: "address" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "list",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "cdpId", type: "uint256" }],
    outputs: [
      { name: "prev", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "next", type: "uint256" },
    ],
  },
] as const;

DssProxyActions -- User-Facing API

DssProxyActions is a library contract called via delegatecall from a user's DSProxy. It bundles multi-step vault operations into single transactions.

Key functions (called through DSProxy):

• open(cdpManager, ilk, dsProxy) -- create a new vault
• lockETH(cdpManager, ethJoin, cdpId) -- deposit ETH collateral (payable)
• lockGem(cdpManager, gemJoin, cdpId, wad) -- deposit ERC-20 collateral
• draw(cdpManager, jug, daiJoin, cdpId, wad) -- generate DAI from vault
• wipe(cdpManager, daiJoin, cdpId, wad) -- repay DAI debt
• wipeAll(cdpManager, daiJoin, cdpId) -- repay all DAI debt
• freeETH(cdpManager, ethJoin, cdpId, wad) -- withdraw ETH collateral
• freeGem(cdpManager, gemJoin, cdpId, wad) -- withdraw ERC-20 collateral
• lockETHAndDraw(cdpManager, jug, ethJoin, daiJoin, cdpId, wadDai) -- lock ETH + draw DAI in one tx
• openLockETHAndDraw(cdpManager, jug, ethJoin, daiJoin, ilk, wadDai) -- open vault + lock ETH + draw DAI

Jug -- Stability Fee Accumulator

The Jug tracks per-ilk stability fee rates. Calling jug.drip(ilk) updates vat.ilks[ilk].rate by compounding the fee since the last update.

const jugAbi = [
  {
    name: "drip",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [{ name: "ilk", type: "bytes32" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "ilks",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "ilk", type: "bytes32" }],
    outputs: [
      { name: "duty", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "rho", type: "uint256" },
    ],
  },
] as const;

duty is the per-second stability fee rate (ray). rho is the last drip timestamp.

Join Adapters

Join adapters move tokens between the external ERC-20 world and the internal Vat accounting.

• GemJoin -- locks collateral tokens. One per collateral type. join(urn, wad) moves tokens into the Vat. exit(usr, wad) withdraws them.
• DaiJoin -- converts between internal rad-denominated DAI and external ERC-20 DAI. join(urn, wad) burns ERC-20 DAI and credits internal DAI. exit(usr, wad) mints ERC-20 DAI from internal DAI.
• ETHJoin -- special join adapter that wraps native ETH into the Vat (no ERC-20 needed).

Opening a Vault via DSProxy

The standard flow for opening a vault and generating DAI:

import {
  createPublicClient,
  createWalletClient,
  http,
  parseEther,
  encodeFunctionData,
  type Address,
} from "viem";
import { privateKeyToAccount } from "viem/accounts";
import { mainnet } from "viem/chains";

const publicClient = createPublicClient({
  chain: mainnet,
  transport: http(process.env.RPC_URL),
});

const account = privateKeyToAccount(
  process.env.PRIVATE_KEY as `0x${string}`
);

const walletClient = createWalletClient({
  account,
  chain: mainnet,
  transport: http(process.env.RPC_URL),
});

const CDP_MANAGER = "0x5ef30b9986345249bc32d8928B7ee64DE9435E39" as const;
const MCD_JUG = "0x19c0976f590D67707E62397C87829d896Dc0f1F1" as const;
const MCD_JOIN_ETH_A = "0x2F0b23f53734252Bda2277357e97e1517d6B042A" as const;
const MCD_JOIN_DAI = "0x9759A6Ac90977b93B58547b4A71c78317f391A28" as const;
const PROXY_ACTIONS = "0x82ecD135Dce65Fbc6DbdD0e4237E0AF93FFD5038" as const;

// ETH-A ilk identifier (bytes32)
const ETH_A_ILK = "0x4554482d41000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000" as const;

const proxyActionsAbi = [
  {
    name: "openLockETHAndDraw",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "payable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "manager", type: "address" },
      { name: "jug", type: "address" },
      { name: "ethJoin", type: "address" },
      { name: "daiJoin", type: "address" },
      { name: "ilk", type: "bytes32" },
      { name: "wadD", type: "uint256" },
    ],
    outputs: [{ name: "cdp", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "lockETHAndDraw",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "payable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "manager", type: "address" },
      { name: "jug", type: "address" },
      { name: "ethJoin", type: "address" },
      { name: "daiJoin", type: "address" },
      { name: "cdp", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "wadD", type: "uint256" },
    ],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "wipeAllAndFreeETH",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "manager", type: "address" },
      { name: "ethJoin", type: "address" },
      { name: "daiJoin", type: "address" },
      { name: "cdp", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "wadC", type: "uint256" },
    ],
    outputs: [],
  },
] as const;

const dsProxyAbi = [
  {
    name: "execute",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "payable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "_target", type: "address" },
      { name: "_data", type: "bytes" },
    ],
    outputs: [{ name: "response", type: "bytes32" }],
  },
] as const;

Execute via DSProxy

All DssProxyActions calls go through your DSProxy's execute(target, data):

async function openVaultAndDrawDai(
  dsProxy: Address,
  ethAmount: bigint,
  daiAmount: bigint
): Promise<`0x${string}`> {
  const calldata = encodeFunctionData({
    abi: proxyActionsAbi,
    functionName: "openLockETHAndDraw",
    args: [CDP_MANAGER, MCD_JUG, MCD_JOIN_ETH_A, MCD_JOIN_DAI, ETH_A_ILK, daiAmount],
  });

  const { request } = await publicClient.simulateContract({
    address: dsProxy,
    abi: dsProxyAbi,
    functionName: "execute",
    args: [PROXY_ACTIONS, calldata],
    value: ethAmount,
    account: account.address,
  });

  const hash = await walletClient.writeContract(request);
  const receipt = await publicClient.waitForTransactionReceipt({ hash });
  if (receipt.status !== "success") {
    throw new Error("openLockETHAndDraw reverted");
  }

  return hash;
}

Reading Vault State

const vatAbi = [
  {
    name: "ilks",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "ilk", type: "bytes32" }],
    outputs: [
      { name: "Art", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "rate", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "spot", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "line", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "dust", type: "uint256" },
    ],
  },
  {
    name: "urns",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [
      { name: "ilk", type: "bytes32" },
      { name: "urn", type: "address" },
    ],
    outputs: [
      { name: "ink", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "art", type: "uint256" },
    ],
  },
  {
    name: "dai",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "usr", type: "address" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
] as const;

const MCD_VAT = "0x35D1b3F3D7966A1DFe207aa4514C12a259A0492B" as const;

async function getVaultInfo(cdpId: bigint) {
  const [ilk, urn] = await Promise.all([
    publicClient.readContract({
      address: CDP_MANAGER,
      abi: cdpManagerAbi,
      functionName: "ilks",
      args: [cdpId],
    }),
    publicClient.readContract({
      address: CDP_MANAGER,
      abi: cdpManagerAbi,
      functionName: "urns",
      args: [cdpId],
    }),
  ]);

  const [ilkData, urnData] = await Promise.all([
    publicClient.readContract({
      address: MCD_VAT,
      abi: vatAbi,
      functionName: "ilks",
      args: [ilk],
    }),
    publicClient.readContract({
      address: MCD_VAT,
      abi: vatAbi,
      functionName: "urns",
      args: [ilk, urn],
    }),
  ]);

  const ink = urnData[0]; // locked collateral (wad)
  const art = urnData[1]; // normalized debt (wad)
  const rate = ilkData[1]; // accumulated rate (ray)
  const spot = ilkData[2]; // price with safety margin (ray)

  // Actual debt = art * rate (result in rad, divide by RAY for wad)
  const RAY = 10n ** 27n;
  const debt = (art * rate + RAY - 1n) / RAY; // round up
  // Collateral value = ink * spot (result in rad, divide by RAY for wad)
  const collateralValue = (ink * spot) / RAY;

  return { ilk, urn, ink, art, rate, spot, debt, collateralValue };
}

DAI Savings Rate (DSR)

The DSR lets DAI holders earn yield by depositing into the Pot contract. DsrManager simplifies the Pot interaction.

const DSR_MANAGER = "0x373238337Bfe1146fb49989fc222523f83081dDb" as const;
const MCD_POT = "0x197E90f9FAD81970bA7976f33CbD77088E5D7cf7" as const;

const dsrManagerAbi = [
  {
    name: "join",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "dst", type: "address" },
      { name: "wad", type: "uint256" },
    ],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "exit",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "dst", type: "address" },
      { name: "wad", type: "uint256" },
    ],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "exitAll",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [{ name: "dst", type: "address" }],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "pieOf",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "usr", type: "address" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
] as const;

const potAbi = [
  {
    name: "chi",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "dsr",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "rho",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "drip",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
] as const;

async function getDsrInfo() {
  const [dsr, chi, rho] = await Promise.all([
    publicClient.readContract({
      address: MCD_POT,
      abi: potAbi,
      functionName: "dsr",
    }),
    publicClient.readContract({
      address: MCD_POT,
      abi: potAbi,
      functionName: "chi",
    }),
    publicClient.readContract({
      address: MCD_POT,
      abi: potAbi,
      functionName: "rho",
    }),
  ]);

  // DSR APY = dsr^(seconds_per_year) - 1
  // dsr is a per-second rate in ray (10^27)
  const RAY = 10n ** 27n;
  const dsrFloat = Number(dsr) / Number(RAY);
  const dsrApy = (Math.pow(dsrFloat, 31536000) - 1) * 100;

  return { dsr, chi, rho, dsrApy };
}

async function depositToDsr(daiAmount: bigint): Promise<`0x${string}`> {
  const DAI = "0x6B175474E89094C44Da98b954EedeAC495271d0F" as const;

  // Approve DsrManager to spend DAI
  const approveHash = await walletClient.writeContract({
    address: DAI,
    abi: [
      {
        name: "approve",
        type: "function",
        stateMutability: "nonpayable",
        inputs: [
          { name: "spender", type: "address" },
          { name: "amount", type: "uint256" },
        ],
        outputs: [{ name: "", type: "bool" }],
      },
    ] as const,
    functionName: "approve",
    args: [DSR_MANAGER, daiAmount],
  });
  const approveReceipt = await publicClient.waitForTransactionReceipt({
    hash: approveHash,
  });
  if (approveReceipt.status !== "success") {
    throw new Error("DAI approval for DSR failed");
  }

  // Deposit DAI into DSR
  const { request } = await publicClient.simulateContract({
    address: DSR_MANAGER,
    abi: dsrManagerAbi,
    functionName: "join",
    args: [account.address, daiAmount],
    account: account.address,
  });

  const hash = await walletClient.writeContract(request);
  const receipt = await publicClient.waitForTransactionReceipt({ hash });
  if (receipt.status !== "success") {
    throw new Error("DSR deposit reverted");
  }

  return hash;
}

async function getDsrBalance(user: Address): Promise<bigint> {
  const RAY = 10n ** 27n;

  const [pie, chi] = await Promise.all([
    publicClient.readContract({
      address: DSR_MANAGER,
      abi: dsrManagerAbi,
      functionName: "pieOf",
      args: [user],
    }),
    publicClient.readContract({
      address: MCD_POT,
      abi: potAbi,
      functionName: "chi",
    }),
  ]);

  // DAI balance = pie * chi / RAY
  return (pie * chi) / RAY;
}

Liquidation 2.0 (Dutch Auctions)

When a vault's collateral ratio drops below the liquidation ratio, keepers trigger liquidation via the Dog contract. The Dog starts a Dutch auction via the Clipper for that ilk.

Liquidation Flow

1. Dog.bark(ilk, urn, keeper) -- triggers liquidation, creates a Clipper auction
2. Clipper starts at a high price (using calc -- an AbacI price calculator)
3. Price decreases over time according to the price curve
4. Anyone calls Clipper.take(id, amt, max, who, data) to buy collateral
5. Remaining collateral (if any) returns to the vault owner

const MCD_DOG = "0x135954d155898D42C90D2a57824C690e0c7BEf1B" as const;

const dogAbi = [
  {
    name: "bark",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "ilk", type: "bytes32" },
      { name: "urn", type: "address" },
      { name: "kpr", type: "address" },
    ],
    outputs: [{ name: "id", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "ilks",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "ilk", type: "bytes32" }],
    outputs: [
      { name: "clip", type: "address" },
      { name: "chop", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "hole", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "dirt", type: "uint256" },
    ],
  },
] as const;

const clipperAbi = [
  {
    name: "take",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "id", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "amt", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "max", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "who", type: "address" },
      { name: "data", type: "bytes" },
    ],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "sales",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "id", type: "uint256" }],
    outputs: [
      { name: "pos", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "tab", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "lot", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "usr", type: "address" },
      { name: "tic", type: "uint96" },
      { name: "top", type: "uint256" },
    ],
  },
  {
    name: "getStatus",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "id", type: "uint256" }],
    outputs: [
      { name: "needsRedo", type: "bool" },
      { name: "price", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "lot", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "tab", type: "uint256" },
    ],
  },
  {
    name: "count",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "list",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256[]" }],
  },
] as const;

Participating in a Dutch Auction

async function takeFromAuction(
  clipperAddress: Address,
  auctionId: bigint,
  collateralAmount: bigint,
  maxPrice: bigint
): Promise<`0x${string}`> {
  // Check auction status
  const status = await publicClient.readContract({
    address: clipperAddress,
    abi: clipperAbi,
    functionName: "getStatus",
    args: [auctionId],
  });

  const [needsRedo, currentPrice, lot, tab] = status;

  if (needsRedo) {
    throw new Error("Auction needs redo -- price has gone stale");
  }

  if (currentPrice > maxPrice) {
    throw new Error(
      `Current price ${currentPrice} exceeds max ${maxPrice}. Wait for price to decrease.`
    );
  }

  if (lot === 0n || tab === 0n) {
    throw new Error("Auction is complete -- no collateral remaining");
  }

  // take() requires DAI approval to the Vat (internal DAI)
  // Keepers typically pre-approve the Clipper in the Vat
  const { request } = await publicClient.simulateContract({
    address: clipperAddress,
    abi: clipperAbi,
    functionName: "take",
    args: [auctionId, collateralAmount, maxPrice, account.address, "0x"],
    account: account.address,
  });

  const hash = await walletClient.writeContract(request);
  const receipt = await publicClient.waitForTransactionReceipt({ hash });
  if (receipt.status !== "success") {
    throw new Error("Auction take reverted");
  }

  return hash;
}

MKR Governance

MKR holders vote on protocol parameters through the Chief contract. The voting flow uses a delegate + hat pattern.

Executive Voting

Executive votes change live protocol parameters. They are spell contracts that are cast when enough MKR is staked on them.

const MCD_GOV = "0x9f8F72aA9304c8B593d555F12eF6589cC3A579A2" as const; // MKR token
const MCD_ADM = "0x0a3f6849f78076aefaDf113F5BED87720274dDC0" as const; // DSChief

const chiefAbi = [
  {
    name: "vote",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [{ name: "yays", type: "address[]" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "bytes32" }],
  },
  {
    name: "lock",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [{ name: "wad", type: "uint256" }],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "free",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [{ name: "wad", type: "uint256" }],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "hat",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "address" }],
  },
  {
    name: "approvals",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "candidate", type: "address" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "deposits",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "usr", type: "address" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
] as const;

Governance Flow

1. Lock MKR in Chief: chief.lock(amount)
2. Vote for a spell: chief.vote([spellAddress])
3. If the spell gets the most MKR, it becomes the hat
4. Anyone can lift the hat to make it the active authority
5. The spell is cast to execute parameter changes

Sky Protocol Rebranding

MakerDAO rebranded to Sky Protocol in 2024. New tokens:

• USDS -- upgraded DAI (1:1 convertible)
• SKY -- upgraded MKR (1 MKR = 24,000 SKY)
• sUSDS -- USDS savings token (ERC-4626), replaces DSR for USDS holders

Token Migration

const DAI = "0x6B175474E89094C44Da98b954EedeAC495271d0F" as const;
const USDS = "0xdC035D45d973E3EC169d2276DDab16f1e407384F" as const;
const MKR = "0x9f8F72aA9304c8B593d555F12eF6589cC3A579A2" as const;
const SKY = "0x56072C95FAA7932F4D8Aa042BE0611d2a2CE73a5" as const;
const DAI_USDS = "0x3225737a9Bbb6473CB4a45b7244ACa2BeFdB276A" as const; // DaiUsds converter
const MKR_SKY = "0xBDcFCA946b6CDd965f99a839e4435Bcdc1bc470B" as const; // MkrSky converter
const SUSDS = "0xa3931d71877C0E7a3148CB7Eb4463524FEc27fbD" as const; // sUSDS vault

const daiUsdsAbi = [
  {
    name: "daiToUsds",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "usr", type: "address" },
      { name: "wad", type: "uint256" },
    ],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "usdsToDai",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "usr", type: "address" },
      { name: "wad", type: "uint256" },
    ],
    outputs: [],
  },
] as const;

const mkrSkyAbi = [
  {
    name: "mkrToSky",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "usr", type: "address" },
      { name: "mkrAmt", type: "uint256" },
    ],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "skyToMkr",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "usr", type: "address" },
      { name: "skyAmt", type: "uint256" },
    ],
    outputs: [],
  },
  {
    name: "rate",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
] as const;

// sUSDS is an ERC-4626 vault for USDS savings
const susdsAbi = [
  {
    name: "deposit",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "assets", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "receiver", type: "address" },
    ],
    outputs: [{ name: "shares", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "withdraw",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "assets", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "receiver", type: "address" },
      { name: "owner", type: "address" },
    ],
    outputs: [{ name: "shares", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "redeem",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [
      { name: "shares", type: "uint256" },
      { name: "receiver", type: "address" },
      { name: "owner", type: "address" },
    ],
    outputs: [{ name: "assets", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "convertToAssets",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "shares", type: "uint256" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "convertToShares",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "assets", type: "uint256" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "totalAssets",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
  {
    name: "balanceOf",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "account", type: "address" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "uint256" }],
  },
] as const;

Upgrading DAI to USDS

async function upgradeDaiToUsds(amount: bigint): Promise<`0x${string}`> {
  // Approve DaiUsds converter to spend DAI
  const approveHash = await walletClient.writeContract({
    address: DAI,
    abi: [
      {
        name: "approve",
        type: "function",
        stateMutability: "nonpayable",
        inputs: [
          { name: "spender", type: "address" },
          { name: "amount", type: "uint256" },
        ],
        outputs: [{ name: "", type: "bool" }],
      },
    ] as const,
    functionName: "approve",
    args: [DAI_USDS, amount],
  });
  const approveReceipt = await publicClient.waitForTransactionReceipt({
    hash: approveHash,
  });
  if (approveReceipt.status !== "success") {
    throw new Error("DAI approval for upgrade failed");
  }

  // Convert DAI -> USDS (1:1)
  const { request } = await publicClient.simulateContract({
    address: DAI_USDS,
    abi: daiUsdsAbi,
    functionName: "daiToUsds",
    args: [account.address, amount],
    account: account.address,
  });

  const hash = await walletClient.writeContract(request);
  const receipt = await publicClient.waitForTransactionReceipt({ hash });
  if (receipt.status !== "success") {
    throw new Error("DAI to USDS conversion reverted");
  }

  return hash;
}

USDS Savings Rate (sUSDS)

async function depositToSusds(usdsAmount: bigint): Promise<{
  hash: `0x${string}`;
  shares: bigint;
}> {
  // Approve sUSDS vault to spend USDS
  const approveHash = await walletClient.writeContract({
    address: USDS,
    abi: [
      {
        name: "approve",
        type: "function",
        stateMutability: "nonpayable",
        inputs: [
          { name: "spender", type: "address" },
          { name: "amount", type: "uint256" },
        ],
        outputs: [{ name: "", type: "bool" }],
      },
    ] as const,
    functionName: "approve",
    args: [SUSDS, usdsAmount],
  });
  const approveReceipt = await publicClient.waitForTransactionReceipt({
    hash: approveHash,
  });
  if (approveReceipt.status !== "success") {
    throw new Error("USDS approval for sUSDS failed");
  }

  // Deposit USDS into sUSDS vault
  const { request, result } = await publicClient.simulateContract({
    address: SUSDS,
    abi: susdsAbi,
    functionName: "deposit",
    args: [usdsAmount, account.address],
    account: account.address,
  });

  const hash = await walletClient.writeContract(request);
  const receipt = await publicClient.waitForTransactionReceipt({ hash });
  if (receipt.status !== "success") {
    throw new Error("sUSDS deposit reverted");
  }

  return { hash, shares: result };
}

Spark Protocol

Spark Protocol is an Aave V3 fork maintained by the Maker/Sky ecosystem. It uses DAI/USDS as its primary lending asset with preferential rates backed by the Maker D3M (Direct Deposit Module).

Key difference from vanilla Aave V3: Spark has a direct credit line from Maker, so DAI/USDS liquidity is deep and rates are governance-controlled.

Spark uses standard Aave V3 interfaces -- see the Aave skill for integration patterns. The Pool contract address for Spark on Ethereum mainnet is 0xC13e21B648A5Ee794902342038FF3aDAB66BE987.

DSProxy Setup

Most users need a DSProxy before interacting with Maker Vaults. The ProxyRegistry creates one per address.

const PROXY_REGISTRY = "0x4678f0a6958e4D2Bc4F1BAF7Bc52E8F3564f3fE4" as const;

const proxyRegistryAbi = [
  {
    name: "build",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "nonpayable",
    inputs: [],
    outputs: [{ name: "proxy", type: "address" }],
  },
  {
    name: "proxies",
    type: "function",
    stateMutability: "view",
    inputs: [{ name: "owner", type: "address" }],
    outputs: [{ name: "", type: "address" }],
  },
] as const;

async function getOrCreateProxy(): Promise<Address> {
  const existing = await publicClient.readContract({
    address: PROXY_REGISTRY,
    abi: proxyRegistryAbi,
    functionName: "proxies",
    args: [account.address],
  });

  const ZERO_ADDRESS = "0x0000000000000000000000000000000000000000" as Address;
  if (existing !== ZERO_ADDRESS) {
    return existing;
  }

  const { request } = await publicClient.simulateContract({
    address: PROXY_REGISTRY,
    abi: proxyRegistryAbi,
    functionName: "build",
    account: account.address,
  });

  const hash = await walletClient.writeContract(request);
  const receipt = await publicClient.waitForTransactionReceipt({ hash });
  if (receipt.status !== "success") {
    throw new Error("DSProxy creation reverted");
  }

  const proxyAddress = await publicClient.readContract({
    address: PROXY_REGISTRY,
    abi: proxyRegistryAbi,
    functionName: "proxies",
    args: [account.address],
  });

  return proxyAddress;
}

Common Patterns

Calculate Vault Collateralization Ratio

async function getCollateralizationRatio(cdpId: bigint): Promise<{
  ratio: number;
  isUnsafe: boolean;
}> {
  const vault = await getVaultInfo(cdpId);
  const RAY = 10n ** 27n;

  if (vault.art === 0n) {
    return { ratio: Infinity, isUnsafe: false };
  }

  // debt = art * rate (in rad), collateralValue = ink * spot (in rad)
  const debt = vault.art * vault.rate;
  const collateralValue = vault.ink * vault.spot;

  if (debt === 0n) {
    return { ratio: Infinity, isUnsafe: false };
  }

  const ratio = Number(collateralValue * 10000n / debt) / 100;
  const isUnsafe = collateralValue < debt;

  return { ratio, isUnsafe };
}

Encode Ilk Name

import { toHex, padHex } from "viem";

function encodeIlk(name: string): `0x${string}` {
  return padHex(toHex(name), { size: 32, dir: "right" });
}

// encodeIlk("ETH-A") = 0x4554482d41000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

List User's Vaults

async function listUserVaults(user: Address): Promise<bigint[]> {
  const count = await publicClient.readContract({
    address: CDP_MANAGER,
    abi: cdpManagerAbi,
    functionName: "count",
    args: [user],
  });

  if (count === 0n) return [];

  const first = await publicClient.readContract({
    address: CDP_MANAGER,
    abi: cdpManagerAbi,
    functionName: "first",
    args: [user],
  });

  const vaults: bigint[] = [first];
  let current = first;

  for (let i = 1n; i < count; i++) {
    const [, next] = await publicClient.readContract({
      address: CDP_MANAGER,
      abi: cdpManagerAbi,
      functionName: "list",
      args: [current],
    });
    if (next === 0n) break;
    vaults.push(next);
    current = next;
  }

  return vaults;
}

Security Considerations

• Dust limit: Every vault must maintain at least dust amount of debt (or zero debt). Partial repayments that leave debt below dust will revert.
• Oracle delay: Maker uses OSM (Oracle Security Module) which delays price updates by 1 hour. This means liquidations use prices that are up to 1 hour old.
• Liquidation penalty: The chop parameter (typically 13%) is added on top of the debt during liquidation. Maintain safe collateralization ratios.
• DSProxy ownership: Your DSProxy is a smart contract wallet. If you lose access, you lose control of all vaults owned by that proxy.
• Governance attacks: The Chief contract is vulnerable to flash loan governance attacks. The GSM (Governance Security Module) imposes a 48-hour delay on spell execution.

References

• Maker Technical Docs
• Sky Protocol Docs
• Maker GitHub
• DssProxyActions Source
• Liquidation 2.0 Module
• Sky Token Migration
• Spark Protocol
• Maker Changelog (addresses)