Trailblazers Forge Mina’s Mesa Route: Joint Testing Transforms Blockchain Advancements

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Protocol is on the verge of launching its largest update yet, known as "Mesa." This major revision aims to boost performance, broaden developer tools, and make future protocol upgrades more efficient. The Mesa upgrade will shorten block slot intervals, raise on-chain state thresholds, and add an automated hard fork process. To guarantee a smooth rollout to mainnet, the update is being put through extensive, multi-stage testing .

With Mesa, slot intervals will be halved from 180 seconds to 90 seconds, resulting in quicker transactions and a better user experience. The update also increases the capacity for on-chain state and actions/events, enabling more advanced zero-knowledge applications (zkApps) without splitting them into multiple transactions. A standout feature is the automated hard fork system, which is designed to make future upgrades easier by reducing the need for manual steps

. These adjustments affect essential protocol components, so comprehensive testing is required before release.

The testing plan is divided into five stages, starting with internal checks by o1Labs engineers. This initial step covers unit, integration, and end-to-end testing to confirm features such as the reduced slot time and the new upgrade automation.

Stress and performance tests are also being conducted, simulating heavy network activity to assess node stability and scalability. Both traditional and automated upgrade processes are being trialed in dry runs to fine-tune the transition .

In Phase 2, the Mesa Testnet (MT) will be introduced, providing a testing ground for the community to try out new features after the upgrade. The testnet will roll out in two phases: an unstable pre-release for early adopters and a stable, long-term version for broader participation. This allows node operators and zkApp developers to uncover edge cases and share feedback before the full rehearsal begins

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Phase 3, called "Mesa Trail," is the most collaborative. Here, a dedicated Upgrade Testnet (MUT) will mimic a complete transition from the current Berkeley protocol to Mesa, replicating mainnet conditions. The Trailblazers Program will incentivize experienced node operators to test the automated upgrade and monitor network health across different hardware and locations. At the same time, zkApp developers will check their applications for compatibility and performance in the upgraded setting

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Phase 4 centers on ecosystem checks, working with exchanges, wallet providers, and infrastructure partners to ensure everything works smoothly with the new protocol. This phase confirms that third-party services, such as RPC endpoints and explorers, remain fully functional after the upgrade

. The last stage, a Devnet hard fork, acts as a final real-world test, giving the community one more chance to verify integrations .

The Mesa upgrade highlights Mina’s dedication to stability and openness. By involving the community in multiple testing phases, the protocol is building a strong base for future growth. For developers, Mesa opens up new opportunities for zkApp development, while the automated upgrade process reduces the workload for node operators.

As the upgrade moves forward, all stakeholders are invited to join in testing, governance, and MIP discussions to help shape the final result. Each stage adds confidence in the process, reflecting Mina’s core values of transparency and teamwork, and ensuring the next chapter of the protocol is as secure and user-friendly as ever.