Default hardhat config
Rename secret.js.example to secret.js & Replace your alchemy, etherscan api keys and private key in the secret.js
Install required components
npm i
Write your solidity contracts in /contracts
Consider using openzeppelin wizard for quick lookups
https://docs.openzeppelin.com/contracts/4.x/wizard
Compile smart contracts first
npx hardhat compile
Edit deployment endpoint & deploy. For quick tests, I use goerli testnet.
npx hardhat run scripts/deploy.js --network goerli
To verify the source code once published
npx hardhat verify --network goerli CONTRACT_ADDRESS