# **EPF Update: Weeks 16 & 17** ## **Lodestar Integration** The issue causing missed blocks during integration tests has been resolved. The problem was a deserialization error in the `engine_api` JSON request. To fix this, I patched my forked version of the `alloys` library to use the updated `InclusionListTransactions` naming convention. After correcting this oversight, the chain proceeded without any issues. To my knowledge, the Reth <> Lodestar integration is the first fully functional and specification-compliant FOCIL devnet. This is notable because other Consensus Layer (CL) implementations have lacked full spec compliance, even before the recent Fork Choice Update (FCUv4) changes. --- ## **Metrics** After a discussion with Nico and Katya, we refined our metrics. We removed many Execution Layer (EL) metrics since they are already tracked on the CL. We now focus exclusively on: * Validation time * Included transactions * Unincluded transactions (with a label) This approach simplifies data collection and provides metrics that more accurately reflect how Inclusion List (IL) validation performs. Since Reth lacks a native structure for bucketing in its metrics pipeline, I implemented a basic bucket configuration logic. This allows any metric to be grouped into buckets for more granular analysis. I have applied this system to the FOCIL metrics for IL validation times. --- ## **Hive Testing** Jihoon is finalizing the new spec tests and expects to release them shortly. In preparation, I have been exploring Hive, the framework used to run test fixtures against FOCIL client implementations. I discovered that Hive required some IL-specific upgrades, which I have implemented in my own fork. As I am still new to Hive, I'm not certain if my changes are sufficient for the upcoming spec tests, but I plan to validate them as soon as the tests are available. --- ## **Next Steps** * Rework the Prometheus metrics to align with the official EF EL metrics list. * Continue investigating Hive and preparing for test integration. * Await the official spec tests. If they are significantly delayed, I will begin writing basic test cases myself.