Application 2: Trustless Digital "Dead Man's Switch" for Inheritance and Corporate Succession

First and foremost, the demo and the github repo. I would truly appreciate any feedback, so don’t hold back ; )

After a lot of consideration and basing on its unique capabilities, a business application that absolutely requires a technology like blocklock is a Trustless Digital "Dead Man's Switch" for Inheritance and Corporate Succession.

While other applications like sealed-bid auctions or gaming benefit greatly from blocklock, they can often be implemented with less elegant solutions like commit-reveal schemes. A true, decentralized dead man's switch, however, has a fundamental requirement that only blocklock can fulfill: the automated, guaranteed release of information based on the passage of time, without relying on any trusted third party.

The Business Problem: The Single Point of Failure in Legacy Planning

The secure management and transfer of critical, sensitive documents upon a person's death or incapacitation is a profound challenge.

• Traditional Solutions: Last wills, lists of digital asset private keys, or corporate succession plans are typically held by trusted intermediaries like lawyers, banks, or specialized digital vault companies. This model introduces significant risks:

  • Single Point of Failure: The trusted party could be compromised, go out of business, or simply fail to act, leaving the documents inaccessible.

  • Human Error and Delay: The process is manual, slow, and subject to human error, potentially causing significant delays for beneficiaries.

  • Lack of Trustless Guarantees: The entire system is built on trusting a human or a centralized entity to execute instructions correctly at an unknown future date.

• Why Standard Smart Contracts Fail: A basic smart contract cannot solve this problem on its own. It can execute logic based on current conditions but cannot natively trigger an action based on a future point in time without an external prompt. Using a centralized "keeper" service to trigger the contract simply replaces one trusted intermediary with another, defeating the purpose of a decentralized solution.

The Blocklock-Powered Solution: Guaranteed, Automated Release

A "Dead Man's Switch" built with blocklock fundamentally re-architects this process by replacing human trust with cryptographic certainty.

1. Encryption and Long-Term Timelock: A user (the "testator") encrypts their sensitive data (e.g., a will, private keys, access credentials) using blocklock-js. They set the decryption condition to a

   targetBlock far in the future—for example, 50 years from the current date. This encrypted data is stored on-chain in a dedicated smart contract.

2. The "Heartbeat" Mechanism: The smart contract is programmed to require a periodic "heartbeat" transaction from the testator (e.g., once every six months). Each time this heartbeat is received, the smart contract automatically calls the blocklock protocol to push the targetBlock for decryption another six months into the future.

3. Automated, Trustless Execution: As long as the testator is alive and able, they can send the heartbeat transaction, continually delaying the data's release. If the testator passes away or becomes incapacitated, the heartbeats will stop. The blockchain will continue to produce blocks, and the pre-set targetBlock will eventually be reached.

4. Guaranteed Key Delivery: Once the targetBlock is mined, the dcipher network automatically and irrevocably delivers the decryption key to the smart contract. The contract's logic then makes this key available only to the wallet address of the pre-designated beneficiary or executor.

Why This Absolutely Requires Blocklock

This application is impossible to implement in a truly decentralized and trustless manner without a primitive like blocklock. The core value proposition is the guaranteed, automated execution of a future action without a trusted intermediary.

• No Intermediary Risk: The release is not dependent on a lawyer checking death certificates or a company's servers being online. It is triggered by the decentralized, unstoppable, and verifiable progression of the blockchain itself.

• Absolute Confidentiality: The encrypted data remains completely private and inaccessible to anyone—including network validators—until the time-based condition is met.

• Programmable Certainty: Blocklock allows us to "send information into the future" with a cryptographic guarantee that it will arrive at the specified time. This transforms a legal instruction from a request that requires a trusted party to execute into a self-enforcing, automated event.

In essence, for a system whose entire purpose is to act reliably at an unknown future time without relying on a person or company, a decentralized and automated time-release mechanism is not just a feature—it is the entire foundation.

🚀 How It Works

1. Vault Creation

• Users create encrypted vaults containing sensitive information (wills, private keys, access credentials)

• Data is encrypted locally using blocklock-js and never exposed to anyone

• Users designate a beneficiary wallet address to receive the information

• Set a heartbeat interval (3, 6, or 12 months) for periodic check-ins

2. Heartbeat Mechanism

• Users must send periodic "heartbeat" transactions to keep their vaults locked

• Each heartbeat extends the release date by the specified interval

• If heartbeats stop, the system automatically begins the release process

3. Automated Release

• When the target block is reached, the blocklock protocol automatically delivers decryption keys

• Beneficiaries can claim and decrypt the stored information

• The entire process is trustless and guaranteed by blockchain consensus

✨ Key Features

• 🔒 End-to-End Encryption: Data is encrypted locally and never visible to anyone else

• 🤖 Automated Release: No human intervention required - the blockchain guarantees execution

• 🌐 Trustless Operation: No trusted third parties or centralized services

• ⏰ Flexible Heartbeat Intervals: Choose from 3, 6, or 12-month check-in periods

• 🛡️ 50-Year Fail-Safe: Ultimate protection with a very long-term backup release mechanism

• 👥 Beneficiary Portal: Dedicated interface for recipients to access released information

• 📱 Responsive Design: Mobile-first approach with modern UI/UX

• 🔗 Multi-Chain Support: Works across multiple blockchain networks

💼 Use Cases

• 🏠 Personal Inheritance: Wills, private keys, access credentials for family members

• 🏢 Corporate Succession: Business continuity plans, access codes, operational procedures

• 💰 Digital Asset Transfer: Cryptocurrency private keys, NFT access, account credentials

• ⚖️ Legal Document Storage: Contracts, agreements, and other sensitive legal materials

• 🚨 Emergency Access: Critical information that needs to be available in emergency situations

• 🔐 Password Management: Secure storage of important account credentials

• 📋 Business Continuity: Operational procedures and access codes

🏗️ Technical Architecture

Frontend

• Framework: Next.js 15 with React 18

• Styling: Tailwind CSS for modern, responsive design

• Wallet Integration: RainbowKit for Web3 wallet connectivity

• State Management: React Query for efficient data fetching

• Blockchain Integration: Ethers.js for blockchain interaction

Blockchain Integration

• Protocol: Uses the blocklock protocol for time-locked encryption

• Networks: Supports multiple networks (Filecoin, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base)

• Smart Contracts: Integration for vault management and automation

• Key Delivery: Automated key delivery through blockchain consensus

Security Features

• Local Encryption: Data encrypted locally before any transmission

• Blockchain Security: Access control and release mechanisms on-chain

• Cryptographic Guarantees: Data integrity and timing guarantees

• No Central Storage: No centralized storage of sensitive information

• Private Key Security: User maintains complete control of their keys

📁 Project Structure

dead-man-switch/
├── app/                    # Next.js app directory
│   ├── page.tsx           # Homepage with features and navigation
│   ├── vault/             # Vault management interface
│   │   └── page.tsx       # Create and manage vaults
│   ├── beneficiary/       # Beneficiary portal
│   │   └── page.tsx       # Access released vaults
│   ├── blocklock/         # Original blocklock implementation
│   │   └── page.tsx       # Basic encryption/decryption
│   ├── layout.tsx         # Root layout component
│   └── providers.tsx      # React Query and wallet providers
├── components/            # Reusable UI components
│   ├── Footer.tsx         # Footer component (legacy)
│   ├── header.tsx         # Header components
│   └── walletConnect.tsx  # Wallet connection utilities
├── hooks/                 # Custom React hooks
│   ├── useVault.ts        # Vault management logic
│   ├── useEncrypt.ts      # Encryption functionality
│   ├── useEthers.ts       # Ethers.js integration
│   ├── useExplorer.ts     # Message exploration
│   └── useNetworkConfig.ts # Network configurations
├── lib/                   # Utilities and configurations
│   └── contract.ts        # Smart contract ABIs and addresses
├── public/                # Static assets
│   └── assets/           # Images, logos, and other assets
└── package.json           # Project dependencies and scripts

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js: 22.0.0 or higher

• Web3 Wallet: MetaMask, Rainbow, or other compatible wallet

• Blockchain Access: Connection to supported networks

• Git: For cloning the repository

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/hatif03/dead-man-switch.git
cd dead-man-switch

2. Install dependencies:

npm install

3. Start the development server:

npm run dev

4. Open your browser and navigate to http://localhost:3000

Development Commands

# Start development server
npm run dev

# Build for production
npm run build

# Start production server
npm run start

# Run linting
npm run lint

Usage Guide

1. Connect Your Wallet: Use the Connect Wallet button to link your Web3 wallet

2. Create a Vault: Navigate to the Vault page and create your first digital legacy vault

3. Set Parameters: Choose your beneficiary, heartbeat interval, and encrypt your data

4. Send Heartbeats: Periodically send heartbeat transactions to keep your vault locked

5. Beneficiary Access: Your designated beneficiary can access the information once released

🌐 Supported Networks

🔒 Security Considerations

Best Practices

• Private Key Management: Never share your private keys or seed phrases

• Network Security: Ensure you're connected to the correct blockchain network

• Beneficiary Verification: Double-check beneficiary wallet addresses before creating vaults

• Regular Heartbeats: Set reminders for your heartbeat schedule to avoid premature release

• Backup Plans: Consider multiple beneficiaries or backup mechanisms for critical information

Security Features

• Local Encryption: All data is encrypted in your browser before transmission

• Blockchain Verification: Smart contracts ensure proper execution

• No Data Storage: Sensitive information is never stored on our servers

• Access Control: Only designated beneficiaries can access released information

🛠️ Development

Tech Stack

• Frontend: Next.js 15, React 18, TypeScript

• Styling: Tailwind CSS

• Blockchain: Ethers.js, blocklock-js

• Wallet: RainbowKit, Wagmi

• State Management: React Query

• Build Tool: Turbopack (development)

Development Workflow

1. Fork the repository

2. Create a feature branch

3. Make your changes

4. Test thoroughly

5. Submit a pull request

Code Quality

• TypeScript for type safety

• ESLint for code quality

• Prettier for code formatting

• Responsive design principles

🤝 Contributing

We welcome contributions to improve the Digital Dead Man's Switch! Please feel free to:

• 🐛 Report bugs and issues

• 💡 Suggest new features and improvements

• 🔧 Submit pull requests with enhancements

• 📚 Help improve documentation

• 🧪 Test the application and provide feedback

Contribution Guidelines

1. Fork the repository

2. Create a descriptive branch name

3. Make focused, atomic commits

4. Test your changes thoroughly

5. Update documentation as needed

6. Submit a clear pull request description

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

⚠️ Disclaimer

This software is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Users are responsible for:

• Properly managing their private keys and wallet security

• Understanding the implications of automated information release

• Complying with applicable laws and regulations

• Seeking professional legal and financial advice when appropriate

The Digital Dead Man's Switch is a tool for secure information transfer but does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice.

🆘 Support

For support, questions, or to report issues:

• 📖 Documentation: GitHub README

• 🐛 Issues: GitHub Issues

• 💬 Discussions: GitHub Discussions

• 🐦 Twitter: @hatif_15

🙏 Acknowledgments

• Built with the blocklock protocol for secure time-locked encryption

• Powered by Next.js and React

• Styled with Tailwind CSS

• Web3 integration with RainbowKit and Wagmi

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Built with ❤️ for secure digital legacy planning

This project aims to provide a secure, trustless solution for digital inheritance and succession planning, ensuring that your important information is protected and accessible when needed.