The OIF chapter: a practical, modular path to intent products
The OIF chapter: how we got here
At the end of 2024 we began codifying a framework that would let teams deploy "intent product experiences" quickly—less BD, less bespoke infra, more shipping. The goal: a path from idea to live cross‑chain UX without forcing anyone into one solver network, one bridge, or one security model. That exploration matured into OIF 1.0 with Hyperlane as a core interop leg.
What’s in the box
Composable contracts. OIF ships a set of contracts for expressing and settling intents, including a Base7683 layer aligned with ERC‑7683 so orders and settlement flow are standardized. You can extend or swap settlement modules to suit your security and latency needs.
An open solver. The reference solver handles discovery, execution, and settlement orchestration. Use it as‑is to get moving, or fork it to bring your own routing logic and liquidity hookups. The point is optionality, not lock‑in.
A starter UI. OIF includes a customizable template so your front end isn’t a blank page. It mirrors battle‑tested flows from prior Hyperlane work to help teams avoid common UX potholes.
Why Hyperlane is the right interop leg
Hyperlane is permissionless to integrate and modular at the security layer. Its Interchain Security Modules (ISMs) let apps pick verification models—aggregate multiple verifiers for high‑value flows or keep it lighter for routine transfers. That composability maps cleanly onto OIF’s "swap the parts you want" ethos and gives teams credible, configurable settlement without a gatekeeper.
How it comes together
- A user signs an ERC‑7683 intent (e.g., swap + bridge).
- The solver discovers it, finds the best path, and prepares fills.
- Settlement flows through your chosen module. Hyperlane ISMs by default or another path you configure.
- The UI tracks status and confirms the outcome. Each piece is swappable: change your solver strategy, change your settlement module, keep the rest.
What this unlocks for teams
- Speed to market: Start from working contracts, a solver, and a UI instead of months of undifferentiated infra.
- Real modularity: Choose the parts that fit today and replace them later. OIF treats intents as an interface, not a product SKU. The EF explicitly calls out this modularity and the ability to "swap pieces of the intents stack.".
- Ecosystem alignment: Building on shared standards like ERC‑7683 reduces fragmentation and lets you tap into a growing pool of solvers and settlement options.
Backed by the ecosystem
This isn’t a one‑team effort. The EF, Hyperlane, BootNode, and many L2 contributors have pushed OIF forward, and the EF recently highlighted OIF as a cornerstone in its UX‑focused protocol update. That support matters: it brings more reviewers, more audits, and more builders. Exactly what intent‑centric apps need to harden and scale.
Where to go next
If you’re intent‑curious, start with OIF’s site and repos, wire in Hyperlane for settlement, and ship a narrow flow first (simple swap + bridge) before you optimize routes and rebalancing. Treat the framework like legos: assemble, measure, then swap the pieces that need to evolve.
