[Tutorial] When Proofs Fail: Debugging Proof Server Errors & ZK Generation Failures

[Olanetsoft]

Type of Content

Tutorial

Summary

Cover: proof server not responding (check docker logs), proof timeout (first proof downloads ~30MB ZK params), proof rejection from wire format mismatch, and version mismatch between proof server Docker tag and ledger version. Show how to verify proof server health.

Target Audience

Developers

Deliverables

1. Written tutorial (1,500-2,500 words) covering:
   • Proof server not responding: docker logs diagnostics
   • Proof timeout: first proof downloads ~30MB ZK params
   • Proof rejection from wire format mismatch
   • Version mismatch: proof server Docker tag vs ledger version
   • How to verify proof server health

Requirements:

• Follow Midnight's technical style guide
• All code must be tested and functional

Relevant Links

• Midnight Docs: https://docs.midnight.network/getting-started
• Midnight MCP: https://www.npmjs.com/package/midnight-mcp
• Developer Forum: https://forum.midnight.network/
• Discord: https://discord.com/invite/midnightnetwork

Submission Process

This is an Eclipse bounty. Bounties are not first-come, first-served. Anyone can submit. The best valid submission wins.

1. Work on your submission independently.
2. Share your published link in this issue thread.
3. When ready, comment "Ready for review" explicitly.
4. One review cycle: feedback, revision, approve or reject.

Publishing: Dev.to is the default platform for blog posts and tutorials. Some contributions may also go directly into the Midnight docs. Other platforms (Medium, Hashnode, personal blog) work too.

Promotion: Share on X/LinkedIn with #MidnightforDevs and tag @midnightntwrk.

Policies

AI-Generated Content: Submissions are checked for AI content. Substantially AI-generated work will be disqualified.

Code Must Compile: Any Compact code must compile. Non-compiling code means immediate disqualification.

Terms: By submitting, you agree to the Bounty Program Terms. Payouts in NIGHT tokens after KYC via SumSub.

Tier 1 (Light) - $300-$500 (paid in NIGHT tokens)

[KrishnaShuk]

Interested in working on this. Planning to cover Docker log diagnostics, version mismatch fixes, and proof timeout resolution with real-world troubleshooting examples.
Kindly assign me on it.

[lunchfang]

👋 Hi there!

I'm interested in working on this task. Before I start, I'd like to confirm a few details:

1. Bounty Amount: Is the bounty still $300?
2. Acceptance Criteria: What exactly needs to be delivered? Any specific requirements?
3. Timeline: Any deadline or preferred completion time?
4. Testing: Are there specific test cases or environments I should use?
5. Payment: What's the preferred payment method once completed?

Please confirm and I'll get started right away! 🚀

---

Automated message from Atlas Bounty Hunter

[lunchfang]

👋 Hi!

I'm interested in working on this task. Before I start, I'd like to confirm a few details:

1. Bounty Amount: Is the bounty still $300?
2. Acceptance Criteria: What exactly needs to be delivered?
3. Timeline: Any deadline?
4. Testing: Any specific test cases?
5. Payment: Preferred payment method?

Please confirm and I'll get started! 🚀

---

Automated from Bounty Engineering Team

[greenpython9]

hello midnight network dev team, please review. thank you.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1N01gxeobS_Y8AaiOc1j29vnQXs8L_XLbledhK6ulNs0/edit?usp=sharing

[Tosh94]

Submitting my entry for this bounty.

Published article: https://dev.to/tosh2308/when-proofs-fail-debugging-midnight-proof-server-errors-f2e

Ready for review

[occkoko]

Hi! I'm looking into this issue and plan to submit a PR shortly. I'll update here if I run into any blockers.