[DRAFT] WIP QML Generate Snapshot Signet

[D33r-Gee]

Based on #424. For evaluation purposes only!

GUI Integration for Generating UTXO Snapshots

Overview

This PR adds initial GUI support for generating a signet UTXO snapshot at height 160,000, building on Bitcoin Core's assumeutxo infrastructure.

What This PR Does

1. Adds a basic GUI interface for generating UTXO snapshots via the Connection Settings panel
2. Implements non-blocking snapshot generation via QT Thread
3. Provides visual confirmation of snapshot generation
4. Adds a snapshot progress notifications accessible via a handler

Implementation Details

Core Components Modified

1. Node Interface (src/node/interfaces.cpp)

• Implements a notification handler for snapshot generation progress (rewind and restore)

2. Snapshot Qml (src/qml/models/snapshotqml.h)

• Introduces a worker class to manage snapshot generation

3. QML Integration (src/qml/models/nodemodel.cpp)

• Manages snapshot generation state and progress
• Uses Qt's thread system to prevent UI blocking
• Provides progress updates via Qt signals

4. UI Components (src/qml/components/SnapshotGenSettings.qml)

• File view for snapshot generation
• Snapshot generation progress and completion

Key Design Decisions

1. Non-blocking Implementation

• Snapshot generation runs in separate QT thread
• UI remains responsive during generation
• Node is disconnected from the network during generation

2. Extensibility

• Interface designed to accommodate future assumeutxo changes
• Error handling framework in place

Testing Instructions

1. Build
2. Launch Bitcoin Core QML GUI
3. Navigate to Connection Settings
4. Wait for IBD to complete
5. Click "Generate Snapshot"
6. Verify (see screenshots below):
   • "Snapshot Generated" confirmation appears
   • snapshot file is created in the signet data directory

Ubuntu 22.04 Screenshots

Expected Behavior

• File selection dialog works
• Success/failure state properly displayed
• Node is disconnected from the network during generation

Future Work

1. Cancel Snapshot Generation

• Add ability to cancel snapshot generation

2. Integration

• Coordinate with upstream assumeutxo changes
• Add support for network-specific snapshots (testnet and mainnet)

Notes for Reviewers

Snapshot Compatibility

• Currently only works with signet
• Limited to specific 160,000 height
• Validates against chain parameters m_assumeutxo_data
  (the changes there can be discarded once synced since m_assumeutxo_data is already hardcoded)

This is a work in progress - feedback welcome on the approach and implementation details.

[yashrajd]

Great start! Thanks for continuing to do this man. I have not tested on my machine, responding to screenshots below.

What This PR Does

1. Adds a basic GUI interface for generating UTXO snapshots via the Connection Settings panel
2. Implements non-blocking snapshot generation via QT Thread
3. Provides visual confirmation of snapshot generation
4. Adds a snapshot progress notifications accessible via a handler

...

4. UI Components (src/qml/components/SnapshotGenSettings.qml)

• File view for snapshot generation
• Snapshot generation progress and completion

Key Design Decisions

1. Non-blocking Implementation

• Snapshot generation runs in separate QT thread
• UI remains responsive during generation
• Node is disconnected from the network during generation

2. Extensibility

• Interface designed to accommodate future assumeutxo changes
• Error handling framework in place

Top-tier PR write-up, kudos!

My main gripe still is that 'load/generate snapshot' makes no sense in Connection Settings. Otherwise looks good.

"A snapshot captures the current state of bitcoin transactions on the network. It can be imported into other bitcoin nodes to speed up the initial setup. You can generate a snapshot of the current chain state.

Isn't the snapshot generated a pre-decided block height only? not the current block height?

• if so, we should mention the date/block height in the text.
• we should also update the text so as to avoid giving wrong impression
• long-standing issue with reference to transactions

Suggested copy: "A snapshot captures the state of the bitcoin network up to a certain date in the recent past. It can be imported into other bitcoin nodes to speed up their initial sync.
Snapshot date: 23rd September 2023 (block 657478)

Perhaps the "Rewinding" text is placeholder. Should be something like:
**This might take a while.

You can continue using the application while the process continues in the background.**

Good to have would be to show some a % progress number

The View File button is awesome! Consider adding a Done button too that will send the user back to home screen/block clock...

[D33r-Gee]

My main gripe still is that 'load/generate snapshot' makes no sense in Connection Settings. Otherwise looks good.

in the figma design where would you idealy prefer these options would be placed under?

[D33r-Gee]

Isn't the snapshot generated a pre-decided block height only? not the current block height?

• if so, we should mention the date/block height in the text.
• we should also update the text so as to avoid giving wrong impression
• long-standing issue with reference to transactions

Great suggestions will update with the next push

[D33r-Gee]

Good to have would be to show some a % progress number

Could you share some design ideas for this?

[D33r-Gee]

Consider adding a Done button too that will send the user back to home screen/block clock...

Could you update the figma to reflect that?

[D33r-Gee]

with 34a6f54 rebased over main and addressed feedback from @yashrajd (see screenshots below)

WSL Ubuntu 22.04 screenshots