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Quickstart

This guide walks you through launching CoW Protocol Services locally using Docker Compose. The environment operates in “fork mode,” allowing developers to test against a forked blockchain with real token contracts while maintaining isolation.

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Prerequisites

You will need:
  • Docker Desktop/Engine with Docker Compose
  • An Ethereum RPC endpoint (e.g., Alchemy, Infura, or a local node)
  • Rust toolchain (optional, for local development)
RPC demand is very high. Free tier RPC endpoints may rate-limit or perform poorly. We recommend either local nodes or paid services.

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Setup Steps

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1. Clone the Repository

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2. Configure Environment Variables

Set your RPC endpoint and chain ID:

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3. Launch Services

Start all services using Docker Compose:
On macOS/Windows, use the non-interactive compose file for better performance:

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4. Monitor Logs

Wait until all services initialize properly. You should see logs from the orderbook, autopilot, driver, and solver services.

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Access Points

Once running, you can reach the following interfaces:

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Testing Workflow

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Test Accounts

The playground provides test accounts with 10,000 ETH each, derived from the standard mnemonic:
Never use these keys on real networks! They are publicly known test accounts.

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Place a Test Swap

  1. Wrap ETH to WETH using the Anvil RPC node
  2. Place a swap order through the CoW Swap UI or directly via the Orderbook API
  3. Monitor settlement through service logs and the block explorer

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Network Support

The setup supports multiple chains by adjusting environment variables and restarting services:
  • Ethereum Mainnet
  • Gnosis Chain
  • Arbitrum One
  • Base
  • Polygon
Simply update the CHAIN_ID and RPC_URL in your .env file and restart Docker Compose.
Last modified on March 4, 2026