View source for How-To: Create an NNS motion proposal

This article explains one way to submit NNS motion proposals by using a few command line tools and a self-custody neuron.

==Background==

To properly follow what is going on, there are a few high-level points worth highlighting:

===Only Neurons can submit NNS proposals===

Neurons with at least 1 ICP and 6 months of dissolve delay can submit NNS proposals. So the first step is to create such a neuron.

===The NNS Governance Canister accepts motion proposals===

The Governance Canister is just a canister like any other, so it has a Candid file, it accepts messages, etc... This article describes a way where you can have your local computer send a message to the governance canister (signed on behalf of a neuron) that contains a motion proposal.

==One-time setup==

===Install Tools===

1. Install '''dfx'''

* '''dfx''' is the canister SDK and it will be used to send messages from your machine to NNS
* [https://smartcontracts.org/ smartcontracts.org]
<pre>
$ dfx [OPTIONS] <SUBCOMMAND>
</pre>

2. Install '''keysmith'''

* '''keysmith''' will be used to generate a privat/public key pair for the IC
* https://github.com/dfinity/keysmith
* this article will assume that you execute '''quill''' on your local machine by running 

<pre>
$ keysmith [OPTIONS] <SUBCOMMAND>
</pre>

3. Install '''quill'''

* '''quill''' is a minimalist "governance toolkit". It is wrapper for crafting & sending messages to the NNS and manage one's neuron.
* https://github.com/dfinity/quill
* this article will assume that you execute '''quill''' on your local machine by running 

<pre>
$ target/release/quill [OPTIONS] <SUBCOMMAND>
</pre>

===Create a neuron via command-line tools===

====1. Create a <code>private.pem</code> (private/public keypair) and Ledger <code>account id</code>==== 

Before one starts, they need a private/public keypair.

<pre>
// Create seed phrase
$ keysmith generate -o seed.txt

//Create private.pem
$ keysmith private-key -o private.pem

//Derive Ledger account from private key
$ keysmith account -i 0
</pre>

When done, your <code>account id</code> should look something like this: <code>612ec300g9ec990da900d6ec45919e7d5dbb9fa0dd8e69c54d374df93aa28d57</code>.

====2. Link this private/public keypair to <code>dfx</code> so you can use it as an "Identity"====

In this case, the new identity is called "proposals"

<pre>
$ dfx identity import proposals private.pem
</pre>

* If you see “creating identity: proposals” in the terminal, this means it worked*
* further reading on dfx identities: [https://smartcontracts.org/docs/developers-guide/cli-reference/dfx-identity.html dfx identity]

====3. Send ICP to the <code>account ID</code> generated in step 1====

You should send at least 1.001 in order to have enough ICP to create a neuron and pay for the Ledger transaction fees.

To send ICP to the account, all you need is to input the <code>account id</code> in your wallet of choice.

====4. Now that the account has the required ICP, spawn a neuron====

Note: This section assumes you have '''quill'' installed properly.

<pre>
// Craft a message to "stake a the neuron by choosing a 8-character $NAME and an $AMOUNT to stake"
$ target/release/quill --pem-file private.pem neuron-stake --name $NAME --amount $AMOUNT > message.json

//Send the message crafted above.
$ target/release/quill send message.json
</pre>

* You should see a message with a neuron ID spawned

====5. Increase neuron dissolve to at least 6 months====

* Time is measured in seconds in the NNS
* One year: 31557600 seconds

<pre>
// Craft message to send the neuron
$ target/release/quill --pem-file private.pem neuron-manage 148885932052941245 --additional-dissolve-delay-seconds 31557600 > message.json

//send just-created message to the Governance canister
$ target/release/quill send message.json
</pre>

==How to send a proposal==

===Craft a proposal in markdown===

===Send proposal via dfx===

===Check dashboard to see proposal was successful===