Analyzing Mempool

Contents

Overview | Prerequisites | Instructions | Output | Error Handling | Examples | Resources

Overview

Monitor Ethereum mempool for pending transactions, analyze gas prices, detect DEX swaps, and identify potential MEV opportunities. Useful for traders, MEV researchers, and protocol developers.

Prerequisites

1. Install Python 3.8+ with requests library
2. Configure Ethereum RPC URL (default: public endpoint, or set ETH_RPC_URL)
3. Verify internet access for RPC calls

Instructions

Step 1: Navigate to Scripts Directory

cd ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/scripts

Step 2: Choose a Command

1. View pending transactions: python mempool_analyzer.py pending
2. Analyze gas prices: python mempool_analyzer.py gas
3. Detect pending DEX swaps: python mempool_analyzer.py swaps
4. Scan MEV opportunities: python mempool_analyzer.py mev
5. Get mempool summary: python mempool_analyzer.py summary
6. Watch specific contract: python mempool_analyzer.py watch 0x7a250d...

Alternatively, customize with flags:

python mempool_analyzer.py pending --limit 100    # Limit results
python mempool_analyzer.py --chain polygon gas     # Use different chain
python mempool_analyzer.py --chain arbitrum pending # Or use Arbitrum

Step 3: Interpret Results

Gas Recommendations:

• Slow (10th percentile): May take 10+ blocks
• Standard (50th percentile): 2-5 blocks
• Fast (75th percentile): 1-2 blocks
• Instant (90th percentile): Next block likely

MEV Warnings:

• MEV detection is for educational purposes
• Real MEV extraction requires specialized infrastructure
• Use this for research and understanding mempool dynamics

Output

• Pending transaction lists with gas prices and types
• Gas price distribution and recommendations
• Detected DEX swaps with amounts and DEX identification
• MEV opportunity analysis with estimated profits
• JSON output for programmatic use (--format json)

Error Handling

See ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/references/errors.md for:

• RPC connection issues and timeout recovery
• Mempool access limitations per chain
• Transaction decoding errors and fallbacks
• Gas analysis edge cases

Examples

Example 1: Check gas before sending transaction:

python mempool_analyzer.py gas
# Use "Fast" for quick confirmation

Example 2: Monitor for large pending swaps:

python mempool_analyzer.py swaps --limit 200  # 200: max results to scan

Example 3: Research MEV opportunities:

python mempool_analyzer.py mev -v

See ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/references/examples.md for more usage patterns.

Resources

• ${CLAUDE_SKILL_DIR}/references/implementation.md - Gas analysis, MEV detection, multi-chain details
• Ethereum JSON-RPC - RPC specification
• Flashbots - MEV research and infrastructure
• DEX Subgraphs - Pool and swap data
• Supports: Ethereum, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base