Status-go uses [go-ethereum](https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum) (**upstream**) as its dependency. As any other Go dependency `go-ethereum` code is vendored and stored in `vendor/` folder.
However, there are a few changes has been made to the upstream, that are specific to Status and should not be merged to the upstream. We keep those changes as a set of patches, that can be applied upon each next release of `go-ethereum`. Patched version of `go-ethereum` is available in the [status-im/go-ethereum](https://github.com/status/go-ethereum) repo.
We try to minimize number and amount of changes in those patches as much as possible, and whereas possible, to contribute changes into the upstream.
- [`0000-accounts-hd-keys.patch`](./0000-accounts-hd-keys.patch) — adds support for HD extended keys (links/docs?)
- [`0002-les-api-status.patch`](./0002-les-api-status.patch) — adds StatusBackend into LES code (need to be inspected, some things can and should be done outside of les code
- [`0004-whisper-notifications.patch`](./0004-whisper-notifications.patch) — adds Whisper notifications (need to be reviewed and documented)
- [`0006-latest-cht.patch`](./0006-latest-cht.patch) – updates CHT root hashes, should be updated regularly to keep sync fast, until proper Trusted Checkpoint sync is not implemented as part of LES/2 protocol.
- [`0010-geth-17-fix-npe-in-filter-system.patch`](./0010-geth-17-fix-npe-in-filter-system.patch) - Temp patch for 1.7.x to fix a NPE in the filter system.
When a new stable release of `go-ethereum` comes out, we need to upgrade our fork and vendored copy.
**Note: The process is completely repeatable, so it's safe to remove current `go-ethereum` directory, clone latest upstream version and apply patches from scratch.**