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# Francis Mars
**Fullstack Software Engineer — Real-Time Systems, Bitcoin & Lightning Network**

[francismars.com](https://francismars.com)  ·  [github.com/francismars](https://github.com/francismars)  ·  [x.com/btcfrancis](https://x.com/btcfrancis)

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## Profile

Fullstack engineer specializing in real-time systems and Bitcoin payment infrastructure. Built and shipped production apps on Lightning Network and Nostr — from multiplayer games to conference-grade live payment displays. Regular speaker at major Bitcoin events. Stack: React/Next.js, Node.js/TypeScript, Rust, Go, React Native.

Integrates AI-assisted workflows (Cursor, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Perplexity) as a core part of development — for code generation, debugging, refactoring, and architectural exploration. Has rebuilt large parts of PubPay and Chain Duel this way, treating AI as a collaborator that accelerates iteration and reduces friction across complex real-time systems.

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## Projects

### MarsPay — Real-Time Payment Backend  ·  [github.com/francismars/marspay](https://github.com/francismars/marspay)
*Node.js · TypeScript · Express · Socket.IO · Lightning (LNbits, LNURL) · Nostr (NDK)*

- Authoritative server architecture for real-time paid apps (games, duels, tournaments) — server owns state, clients send inputs
- Lightning integration for deposits, withdrawals, webhook settlement; Nostr (NDK) for zaps; defines Socket.IO protocol used by multiple clients

### PubPay — Decentralized Social Payments  ·  [pubpay.me](https://pubpay.me)
*React · Nostr (NDK, NWC) · Lightning · Monorepo*

- **PubPay** — shareable payment requests as social posts (no sign-ups, no fees); **PubPay Live** — real-time zap display for live events; **PubPay Multi Live** — multi-stage conference tool with timeline editor, auto-rotation, and rehearsal mode
- Battle-tested at Bitcoin 2025, BCC8333, Adopting Bitcoin

### Chain Duel — Real-Time Multiplayer Bitcoin Game  ·  [chainduel.net](https://chainduel.net)
*React · PixiJS · Zustand · WebSockets · Lightning · Nostr*

- Custom game engine: PixiJS rendering, Zustand state, keyboard/gamepad input, audio pipeline; payment-gated matches via MarsPay
- Live Lightning Network demo at Bitcoin conferences worldwide — 3 years of production conference use

### Homeserver Dashboard — Next.js Admin UI  ·  [github.com/francismars/homeserver-dashboard](https://github.com/francismars/homeserver-dashboard)
*Next.js · Tailwind · shadcn/ui · Docker · Tailscale  (Pubky engagement)*

- User management, WebDAV file browser, API explorer; Docker/Umbrel integration; Tailscale tunnel for closed networks

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## Tech Stack

| | |
|---|---|
| **Frontend** | React, Next.js, PixiJS, Zustand, Tailwind, shadcn/ui, React Native |
| **Backend** | Node.js, TypeScript, Express, Socket.IO, WebSockets |
| **Payments** | Lightning (LNbits, LNURL, NWC), Nostr (NDK), BOLT 11/12 |
| **Systems** | Rust, Go, Docker, Linux |
| **AI Tooling** | Cursor, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Perplexity |

**Open Source:** Pubky · Satsigner · Stable Channels · lnurlp (LNbits) · Nigiri Bitcoin · go-elements · tdex-feeder

**Speaking:** Bitcoin Las Vegas · Bitcoin Amsterdam · Plan B Forum · Adopting Bitcoin · Bitcoin Atlantis · BTC Balkans · Satsconf · *and others*

**Education:** M.Sc. Informatics, University of Lisbon *(17/20)* · B.Sc. Information Technologies, University of Lisbon

**Training:** Chaincode Labs — Bitcoin Protocol (2021) · Lightning Protocol (2022) · Sovereign Engineering Cohort, Madeira (2024)