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How to Shield

Shielding tokens in zDoge converts your public tokens to private shielded notes. This is the first step to achieving transaction privacy.

Before You Start​

Ensure you have:

  • Connected wallet on DogeOS
  • Sufficient token balance to shield
  • Small amount of DOGE for gas fees (if not using relayer)

Step-by-Step Guide​

1. Navigate to Shield​

Go to the Shield section in the dashboard.

2. Select Token​

Use the dropdown to select the token you want to shield.

Supported tokens:

  • DOGE - Native Dogecoin
  • USDC - USD Coin
  • USDT - Tether
  • USD1 - USD1 Stablecoin
  • WETH - Wrapped Ether
  • LBTC - Liquid Bitcoin

3. Enter Amount​

Enter the amount you want to shield. Any amount is supported - there are no fixed denominations.

Variable Amounts

Unlike traditional mixers, zDoge supports any amount. Shield 1 DOGE, 100 DOGE, or 1000 DOGE - whatever you need!

4. Check Balance​

The interface will show:

  • Your public balance
  • Your shielded balance
  • The amount you're about to shield
Balance Validation

The system will prevent you from shielding more than your available balance. For native DOGE, a small amount (0.001 DOGE) is reserved for gas fees.

5. Approve Token Spending (ERC20 only)​

If shielding an ERC20 token (USDC, USDT, etc.) and this is your first time, you'll need to approve the contract:

  1. Click "Approve"
  2. Confirm the transaction in your wallet
  3. Wait for confirmation
tip

You only need to approve once per token. Future shields will skip this step.

6. Complete Shield​

  1. Click "Shield"
  2. Confirm the transaction in your wallet
  3. Wait for confirmation (usually 10-30 seconds)

You'll see progress indicators:

  • Step 1 of 2: Preparing transaction
  • Step 2 of 2: Confirming on-chain

7. Success!​

After the shield confirms, you'll see:

  • Success message
  • Transaction hash (clickable to explorer)
  • Updated shielded balance

Your note is automatically stored in your wallet and synced to the backend.

Understanding Shielded Notes​

Shielded notes are stored locally in your wallet and contain:

  • Amount: The shielded amount
  • Token: The token type
  • Commitment: Cryptographic commitment in the Merkle tree
  • Leaf Index: Position in the Merkle tree
  • Secret & Blinding: Private values for spending
Auto-Storage

Your notes are automatically stored and synced. You don't need to manually save them like in traditional mixers.

What Happens After Shield​

  1. Your tokens are locked in the smart contract
  2. Your commitment is added to the Merkle tree
  3. The Shield event is recorded on-chain
  4. Your note is stored in your wallet
  5. Your shielded balance updates automatically

Viewing Shielded Balance​

Check your shielded balance in the Shield section header. You'll see:

  • Total shielded balance per token
  • Breakdown by token type
  • USD value (if price data available)

Tips for Better Privacy​

  1. Shield in batches - Don't shield everything at once
  2. Vary amounts - Don't create patterns
  3. Wait before transferring - Let more notes accumulate
  4. Use different tokens - Diversify your shielded portfolio

Next Step: How to Transfer Privately