PaperCut 📄✂️

PaperCut is an end-to-end RSS Reader and Chrome Extension designed to highlight Circle's EIP-3009 gasless nanopayments on the Arc L1 blockchain. It unbundles premium content, allowing readers to buy individual articles (e.g., $0.02 USDC) instantly and automatically without traditional subscription paywalls.

🚀 Key Value Propositions

1. Unbundling Subscriptions: Don't force users to buy a $40/month subscription for one article. Let them pay $0.02 USDC to read it instantly.
2. Zero-Friction UX (Auto-Signing): The extension signs EIP-3009 transactions off-chain based on a customizable daily budget limit. No metamask popups on every click!
3. Gasless Arc L1 Settlement: Relays the user-authorized EIP-3009 signature directly to Circle's Arc Gateway, bypassing transaction gas fees entirely.
4. Clean Web2-Like Experience: Zero setup fee, zero transaction delay (<500ms settlement verification off-chain).

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📁 System Architecture

PaperCut/
├── extension/          # Chrome Extension V3 (Local Ephemeral Wallet & EIP-3009 Signer)
│   ├── manifest.json
│   ├── popup.html      # Wallet dashboard, Faucet simulator, settings
│   ├── popup.js
│   └── background.js   # Intercepts x402 challenges, handles signing
├── reader/             # RSS Feed Frontend UI (Glassmorphic Reader View)
│   ├── index.html
│   ├── index.css
│   └── reader.js       # Handles 402 redirects and connects to extension
└── server/             # Publisher Backend
    └── server.js       # Verifies EIP-3009 signatures and mock-relays to Arc

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🛠️ Installation & Setup

1. Run the Backend Server

Make sure you have Node.js installed, then run:

npm install
npm start

The server will run on http://localhost:4000.

2. Load the Chrome Extension

1. Open Google Chrome and navigate to chrome://extensions/.
2. Enable Developer mode (top-right corner).
3. Click Load unpacked (top-left).
4. Select the extension/ directory.
5. Copy the generated Extension ID.
6. Open the extension popup from the toolbar and click Faucet to get $5.00 USDC to play with.

3. Open the Web Reader UI

1. Open reader/index.html in Chrome.
2. Paste the Extension ID you copied into the input box in the navbar and click Connect.
3. Choose a premium article on the left pane and click Unlock Article. Enjoy reading!