From a70f39e145980d3ea4b23e7d47e2a5eec9d633ed Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Ryan Christoffersen <12519942+ryanchristo@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2021 10:42:21 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] docs: encode/decode transaction (#10133)

## Description

Closes: #10102

<!-- Add a description of the changes that this PR introduces and the files that
are the most critical to review. -->

Adds examples for encoding/decoding a transaction using the CLI. Also fixes CLI use and description.

---

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- [ ] included the correct `docs:` prefix in the PR title
- [ ] targeted the correct branch (see [PR Targeting](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/blob/master/CONTRIBUTING.md#pr-targeting))
- [ ] provided a link to the relevant issue or specification
- [ ] followed the [documentation writing guidelines](https://github.com/cosmos/cosmos-sdk/blob/master/docs/DOC_WRITING_GUIDELINES.md)
- [ ] reviewed "Files changed" and left comments if necessary
- [ ] confirmed all CI checks have passed

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I have...

- [ ] confirmed the correct `docs:` prefix in the PR title
- [ ] confirmed all author checklist items have been addressed
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- [ ] reviewed content for consistency
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- [ ] tested instructions (if applicable)
---
 docs/run-node/txs.md        | 28 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++--
 x/auth/client/cli/decode.go |  2 +-
 x/auth/client/cli/encode.go |  2 +-
 3 files changed, 28 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/docs/run-node/txs.md b/docs/run-node/txs.md
index 85e0488e74eb..4219c66f090e 100644
--- a/docs/run-node/txs.md
+++ b/docs/run-node/txs.md
@@ -83,6 +83,30 @@ You may optionally pass the `--broadcast-mode` flag to specify which response to
 - `sync`: the CLI waits for a CheckTx execution response only.
 - `async`: the CLI returns immediately (transaction might fail).
 
+### Encoding a Transaction
+
+In order to broadcast a transaction using the gRPC or REST endpoints, the transaction will need to be encoded first. This can be done using the CLI.
+
+Encoding a transaction is done using the following command:
+
+```bash
+simd tx encode tx_signed.json
+```
+
+This will read the transaction from the file, serialize it using Protobuf, and output the transaction bytes as base64 in the console.
+
+### Decoding a Transaction
+
+The CLI can also be used to decode transaction bytes.
+
+Decoding a transaction is done using the following command:
+
+```bash
+simd tx decode [protobuf-byte-string]
+```
+
+This will decode the transaction bytes and output the transaction as JSON in the console. You can also save the transaction to a file by appending `> tx.json` to the above command.
+
 ## Programmatically with Go
 
 It is possible to manipulate transactions programmatically via Go using the Cosmos SDK's `TxBuilder` interface.
@@ -326,7 +350,7 @@ func simulateTx() error {
 
 ## Using gRPC
 
-It is not possible to generate or sign a transaction using gRPC, only to broadcast one.
+It is not possible to generate or sign a transaction using gRPC, only to broadcast one. In order to broadcast a transaction using gRPC, you will need to generate, sign, and encode the transaction using either the CLI or programmatically with Go.
 
 ### Broadcasting a Transaction
 
@@ -341,7 +365,7 @@ grpcurl -plaintext \
 
 ## Using REST
 
-It is not possible to generate or sign a transaction using REST, only to broadcast one.
+It is not possible to generate or sign a transaction using REST, only to broadcast one. In order to broadcast a transaction using REST, you will need to generate, sign, and encode the transaction using either the CLI or programmatically with Go.
 
 ### Broadcasting a Transaction
 
diff --git a/x/auth/client/cli/decode.go b/x/auth/client/cli/decode.go
index 6af5bb5c38ac..72a8a600ce73 100644
--- a/x/auth/client/cli/decode.go
+++ b/x/auth/client/cli/decode.go
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ const flagHex = "hex"
 // it into a JSON-encoded transaction.
 func GetDecodeCommand() *cobra.Command {
 	cmd := &cobra.Command{
-		Use:   "decode [amino-byte-string]",
+		Use:   "decode [protobuf-byte-string]",
 		Short: "Decode a binary encoded transaction string",
 		Args:  cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) (err error) {
diff --git a/x/auth/client/cli/encode.go b/x/auth/client/cli/encode.go
index c883980de956..6c1d66facdf9 100644
--- a/x/auth/client/cli/encode.go
+++ b/x/auth/client/cli/encode.go
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ func GetEncodeCommand() *cobra.Command {
 		Use:   "encode [file]",
 		Short: "Encode transactions generated offline",
 		Long: `Encode transactions created with the --generate-only flag and signed with the sign command.
-Read a transaction from <file>, serialize it to the Amino wire protocol, and output it as base64.
+Read a transaction from <file>, serialize it to the Protobuf wire protocol, and output it as base64.
 If you supply a dash (-) argument in place of an input filename, the command reads from standard input.`,
 		Args: cobra.ExactArgs(1),
 		RunE: func(cmd *cobra.Command, args []string) error {