diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 461680b..ff66e1e 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,3 +1,9 @@
+## 0.4.0 (2023-04-21)
+
+- Exported `MmrProof` from the crate (#137).
+- Allowed merging of leaves in `MerkleStore` (#138).
+- [BREAKING] Refactored how existing data structures are added to `MerkleStore` (#139).
+
 ## 0.3.0 (2023-04-08)
 
 - Added `depth` parameter to SMT constructors in `MerkleStore` (#115).
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 13fc97f..9b1555f 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 [package]
 name = "miden-crypto"
-version = "0.3.0"
+version = "0.4.0"
 description = "Miden Cryptographic primitives"
 authors = ["miden contributors"]
 readme = "README.md"
 license = "MIT"
 repository = "https://github.com/0xPolygonMiden/crypto"
-documentation = "https://docs.rs/miden-crypto/0.3.0"
+documentation = "https://docs.rs/miden-crypto/0.4.0"
 categories = ["cryptography", "no-std"]
 keywords = ["miden", "crypto", "hash", "merkle"]
 edition = "2021"
diff --git a/benches/hash.rs b/benches/hash.rs
index ef0680d..271c1f5 100644
--- a/benches/hash.rs
+++ b/benches/hash.rs
@@ -106,11 +106,5 @@ fn blake3_sequential(c: &mut Criterion) {
     });
 }
 
-criterion_group!(
-    hash_group,
-    rpo256_2to1,
-    rpo256_sequential,
-    blake3_2to1,
-    blake3_sequential
-);
+criterion_group!(hash_group, rpo256_2to1, rpo256_sequential, blake3_2to1, blake3_sequential);
 criterion_main!(hash_group);
diff --git a/benches/smt.rs b/benches/smt.rs
index a19c4d2..3c63c04 100644
--- a/benches/smt.rs
+++ b/benches/smt.rs
@@ -75,10 +75,5 @@ criterion_main!(smt_group);
 fn generate_word(seed: &mut [u8; 32]) -> Word {
     swap(seed, &mut prng_array(*seed));
     let nums: [u64; 4] = prng_array(*seed);
-    [
-        Felt::new(nums[0]),
-        Felt::new(nums[1]),
-        Felt::new(nums[2]),
-        Felt::new(nums[3]),
-    ]
+    [Felt::new(nums[0]), Felt::new(nums[1]), Felt::new(nums[2]), Felt::new(nums[3])]
 }
diff --git a/benches/store.rs b/benches/store.rs
index 804faa6..3ad79c4 100644
--- a/benches/store.rs
+++ b/benches/store.rs
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ fn get_empty_leaf_simplesmt(c: &mut Criterion) {
     // both SMT and the store are pre-populated with empty hashes, accessing these values is what is
     // being benchmarked here, so no values are inserted into the backends
     let smt = SimpleSmt::new(depth).unwrap();
-    let store = MerkleStore::new();
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&smt);
     let root = smt.root();
 
     group.bench_function(BenchmarkId::new("SimpleSmt", depth), |b| {
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ fn get_leaf_merkletree(c: &mut Criterion) {
 
         let mtree_leaves: Vec<Word> = leaves.iter().map(|v| v.into()).collect();
         let mtree = MerkleTree::new(mtree_leaves.clone()).unwrap();
-        let store = MerkleStore::new().with_merkle_tree(mtree_leaves).unwrap();
+        let store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
         let depth = mtree.depth();
         let root = mtree.root();
         let size_u64 = size as u64;
@@ -108,9 +108,7 @@ fn get_leaf_simplesmt(c: &mut Criterion) {
             .unwrap()
             .with_leaves(smt_leaves.clone())
             .unwrap();
-        let store = MerkleStore::new()
-            .with_sparse_merkle_tree(SimpleSmt::MAX_DEPTH, smt_leaves)
-            .unwrap();
+        let store = MerkleStore::from(&smt);
         let depth = smt.depth();
         let root = smt.root();
         let size_u64 = size as u64;
@@ -143,7 +141,7 @@ fn get_node_of_empty_simplesmt(c: &mut Criterion) {
     // of these values is what is being benchmarked here, so no values are inserted into the
     // backends.
     let smt = SimpleSmt::new(depth).unwrap();
-    let store = MerkleStore::new();
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&smt);
     let root = smt.root();
     let half_depth = depth / 2;
     let half_size = 2_u64.pow(half_depth as u32);
@@ -178,7 +176,7 @@ fn get_node_merkletree(c: &mut Criterion) {
 
         let mtree_leaves: Vec<Word> = leaves.iter().map(|v| v.into()).collect();
         let mtree = MerkleTree::new(mtree_leaves.clone()).unwrap();
-        let store = MerkleStore::new().with_merkle_tree(mtree_leaves).unwrap();
+        let store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
         let root = mtree.root();
         let half_depth = mtree.depth() / 2;
         let half_size = 2_u64.pow(half_depth as u32);
@@ -221,9 +219,7 @@ fn get_node_simplesmt(c: &mut Criterion) {
             .unwrap()
             .with_leaves(smt_leaves.clone())
             .unwrap();
-        let store = MerkleStore::new()
-            .with_sparse_merkle_tree(SimpleSmt::MAX_DEPTH, smt_leaves)
-            .unwrap();
+        let store = MerkleStore::from(&smt);
         let root = smt.root();
         let half_depth = smt.depth() / 2;
         let half_size = 2_u64.pow(half_depth as u32);
@@ -258,7 +254,7 @@ fn get_leaf_path_merkletree(c: &mut Criterion) {
 
         let mtree_leaves: Vec<Word> = leaves.iter().map(|v| v.into()).collect();
         let mtree = MerkleTree::new(mtree_leaves.clone()).unwrap();
-        let store = MerkleStore::new().with_merkle_tree(mtree_leaves).unwrap();
+        let store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
         let depth = mtree.depth();
         let root = mtree.root();
         let size_u64 = size as u64;
@@ -300,9 +296,7 @@ fn get_leaf_path_simplesmt(c: &mut Criterion) {
             .unwrap()
             .with_leaves(smt_leaves.clone())
             .unwrap();
-        let store = MerkleStore::new()
-            .with_sparse_merkle_tree(SimpleSmt::MAX_DEPTH, smt_leaves)
-            .unwrap();
+        let store = MerkleStore::from(&smt);
         let depth = smt.depth();
         let root = smt.root();
         let size_u64 = size as u64;
@@ -347,16 +341,16 @@ fn new(c: &mut Criterion) {
 
         // This could be done with `bench_with_input`, however to remove variables while comparing
         // with MerkleTree it is using `iter_batched`
-        group.bench_function(
-            BenchmarkId::new("MerkleStore::with_merkle_tree", size),
-            |b| {
-                b.iter_batched(
-                    || leaves.iter().map(|v| v.into()).collect::<Vec<Word>>(),
-                    |l| black_box(MerkleStore::new().with_merkle_tree(l)),
-                    BatchSize::SmallInput,
-                )
-            },
-        );
+        group.bench_function(BenchmarkId::new("MerkleStore::extend::MerkleTree", size), |b| {
+            b.iter_batched(
+                || leaves.iter().map(|v| v.into()).collect::<Vec<Word>>(),
+                |l| {
+                    let mtree = MerkleTree::new(l).unwrap();
+                    black_box(MerkleStore::from(&mtree));
+                },
+                BatchSize::SmallInput,
+            )
+        });
 
         group.bench_function(BenchmarkId::new("SimpleSmt::new", size), |b| {
             b.iter_batched(
@@ -372,26 +366,22 @@ fn new(c: &mut Criterion) {
             )
         });
 
-        group.bench_function(
-            BenchmarkId::new("MerkleStore::with_sparse_merkle_tree", size),
-            |b| {
-                b.iter_batched(
-                    || {
-                        leaves
-                            .iter()
-                            .enumerate()
-                            .map(|(c, v)| (c.try_into().unwrap(), v.into()))
-                            .collect::<Vec<(u64, Word)>>()
-                    },
-                    |l| {
-                        black_box(
-                            MerkleStore::new().with_sparse_merkle_tree(SimpleSmt::MAX_DEPTH, l),
-                        )
-                    },
-                    BatchSize::SmallInput,
-                )
-            },
-        );
+        group.bench_function(BenchmarkId::new("MerkleStore::extend::SimpleSmt", size), |b| {
+            b.iter_batched(
+                || {
+                    leaves
+                        .iter()
+                        .enumerate()
+                        .map(|(c, v)| (c.try_into().unwrap(), v.into()))
+                        .collect::<Vec<(u64, Word)>>()
+                },
+                |l| {
+                    let smt = SimpleSmt::new(SimpleSmt::MAX_DEPTH).unwrap().with_leaves(l).unwrap();
+                    black_box(MerkleStore::from(&smt));
+                },
+                BatchSize::SmallInput,
+            )
+        });
     }
 }
 
@@ -407,7 +397,7 @@ fn update_leaf_merkletree(c: &mut Criterion) {
 
         let mtree_leaves: Vec<Word> = leaves.iter().map(|v| v.into()).collect();
         let mut mtree = MerkleTree::new(mtree_leaves.clone()).unwrap();
-        let mut store = MerkleStore::new().with_merkle_tree(mtree_leaves).unwrap();
+        let mut store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
         let depth = mtree.depth();
         let root = mtree.root();
         let size_u64 = size as u64;
@@ -456,9 +446,7 @@ fn update_leaf_simplesmt(c: &mut Criterion) {
             .unwrap()
             .with_leaves(smt_leaves.clone())
             .unwrap();
-        let mut store = MerkleStore::new()
-            .with_sparse_merkle_tree(SimpleSmt::MAX_DEPTH, smt_leaves)
-            .unwrap();
+        let mut store = MerkleStore::from(&smt);
         let depth = smt.depth();
         let root = smt.root();
         let size_u64 = size as u64;
diff --git a/rustfmt.toml b/rustfmt.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..93e66a1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/rustfmt.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+edition = "2021"
+array_width = 80
+attr_fn_like_width = 80
+chain_width = 80
+#condense_wildcard_suffixes = true
+#enum_discrim_align_threshold = 40
+fn_call_width = 80
+#fn_single_line = true
+#format_code_in_doc_comments = true
+#format_macro_matchers = true
+#format_strings = true
+#group_imports = "StdExternalCrate"
+#hex_literal_case = "Lower"
+#imports_granularity = "Crate"
+newline_style = "Unix"
+#normalize_doc_attributes = true
+#reorder_impl_items = true
+single_line_if_else_max_width = 60
+use_field_init_shorthand = true
+use_try_shorthand = true
diff --git a/src/hash/blake/mod.rs b/src/hash/blake/mod.rs
index a3bcfd0..91c9bca 100644
--- a/src/hash/blake/mod.rs
+++ b/src/hash/blake/mod.rs
@@ -270,10 +270,7 @@ impl Blake3_160 {
 /// Zero-copy ref shrink to array.
 fn shrink_bytes<const M: usize, const N: usize>(bytes: &[u8; M]) -> &[u8; N] {
     // compile-time assertion
-    assert!(
-        M >= N,
-        "N should fit in M so it can be safely transmuted into a smaller slice!"
-    );
+    assert!(M >= N, "N should fit in M so it can be safely transmuted into a smaller slice!");
     // safety: bytes len is asserted
     unsafe { transmute(bytes) }
 }
diff --git a/src/hash/rpo/digest.rs b/src/hash/rpo/digest.rs
index 92f2a15..2edfd27 100644
--- a/src/hash/rpo/digest.rs
+++ b/src/hash/rpo/digest.rs
@@ -118,14 +118,13 @@ impl Ord for RpoDigest {
         // finally, we use `Felt::inner` instead of `Felt::as_int` so we avoid performing a
         // montgomery reduction for every limb. that is safe because every inner element of the
         // digest is guaranteed to be in its canonical form (that is, `x in [0,p)`).
-        self.0
-            .iter()
-            .map(Felt::inner)
-            .zip(other.0.iter().map(Felt::inner))
-            .fold(Ordering::Equal, |ord, (a, b)| match ord {
+        self.0.iter().map(Felt::inner).zip(other.0.iter().map(Felt::inner)).fold(
+            Ordering::Equal,
+            |ord, (a, b)| match ord {
                 Ordering::Equal => a.cmp(&b),
                 _ => ord,
-            })
+            },
+        )
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/merkle/index.rs b/src/merkle/index.rs
index b4f3bdf..b1c7389 100644
--- a/src/merkle/index.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/index.rs
@@ -132,10 +132,7 @@ mod tests {
 
     #[test]
     fn test_node_index_value_too_high() {
-        assert_eq!(
-            NodeIndex::new(0, 0).unwrap(),
-            NodeIndex { depth: 0, value: 0 }
-        );
+        assert_eq!(NodeIndex::new(0, 0).unwrap(), NodeIndex { depth: 0, value: 0 });
         match NodeIndex::new(0, 1) {
             Err(MerkleError::InvalidIndex { depth, value }) => {
                 assert_eq!(depth, 0);
diff --git a/src/merkle/merkle_tree.rs b/src/merkle/merkle_tree.rs
index 3587fc6..42f289a 100644
--- a/src/merkle/merkle_tree.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/merkle_tree.rs
@@ -109,10 +109,7 @@ impl MerkleTree {
             index.move_up();
         }
 
-        debug_assert!(
-            index.is_root(),
-            "the path walk must go all the way to the root"
-        );
+        debug_assert!(index.is_root(), "the path walk must go all the way to the root");
 
         Ok(path.into())
     }
@@ -153,9 +150,11 @@ impl MerkleTree {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    /// An iterator over every inner node in the tree. The iterator order is unspecified.
-    pub fn inner_nodes(&self) -> MerkleTreeNodes<'_> {
-        MerkleTreeNodes {
+    /// Returns n iterator over every inner node of this [MerkleTree].
+    ///
+    /// The iterator order is unspecified.
+    pub fn inner_nodes(&self) -> InnerNodeIterator<'_> {
+        InnerNodeIterator {
             nodes: &self.nodes,
             index: 1, // index 0 is just padding, start at 1
         }
@@ -168,12 +167,12 @@ impl MerkleTree {
 /// An iterator over every inner node of the [MerkleTree].
 ///
 /// Use this to extract the data of the tree, there is no guarantee on the order of the elements.
-pub struct MerkleTreeNodes<'a> {
+pub struct InnerNodeIterator<'a> {
     nodes: &'a Vec<Word>,
     index: usize,
 }
 
-impl<'a> Iterator for MerkleTreeNodes<'a> {
+impl<'a> Iterator for InnerNodeIterator<'a> {
     type Item = InnerNodeInfo;
 
     fn next(&mut self) -> Option<Self::Item> {
@@ -195,6 +194,9 @@ impl<'a> Iterator for MerkleTreeNodes<'a> {
     }
 }
 
+// UTILITY FUNCTIONS
+// ================================================================================================
+
 /// Utility to visualize a [MerkleTree] in text.
 pub fn tree_to_text(tree: &MerkleTree) -> Result<String, fmt::Error> {
     let indent = "  ";
@@ -248,12 +250,7 @@ mod tests {
     use core::mem::size_of;
     use proptest::prelude::*;
 
-    const LEAVES4: [Word; 4] = [
-        int_to_node(1),
-        int_to_node(2),
-        int_to_node(3),
-        int_to_node(4),
-    ];
+    const LEAVES4: [Word; 4] = [int_to_node(1), int_to_node(2), int_to_node(3), int_to_node(4)];
 
     const LEAVES8: [Word; 8] = [
         int_to_node(1),
@@ -309,22 +306,10 @@ mod tests {
         let (_, node2, node3) = compute_internal_nodes();
 
         // check depth 2
-        assert_eq!(
-            vec![LEAVES4[1], node3],
-            *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 0)).unwrap()
-        );
-        assert_eq!(
-            vec![LEAVES4[0], node3],
-            *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 1)).unwrap()
-        );
-        assert_eq!(
-            vec![LEAVES4[3], node2],
-            *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 2)).unwrap()
-        );
-        assert_eq!(
-            vec![LEAVES4[2], node2],
-            *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 3)).unwrap()
-        );
+        assert_eq!(vec![LEAVES4[1], node3], *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 0)).unwrap());
+        assert_eq!(vec![LEAVES4[0], node3], *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 1)).unwrap());
+        assert_eq!(vec![LEAVES4[3], node2], *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 2)).unwrap());
+        assert_eq!(vec![LEAVES4[2], node2], *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 3)).unwrap());
 
         // check depth 1
         assert_eq!(vec![node3], *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(1, 0)).unwrap());
diff --git a/src/merkle/mmr/accumulator.rs b/src/merkle/mmr/accumulator.rs
index 2a5d522..610999a 100644
--- a/src/merkle/mmr/accumulator.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/mmr/accumulator.rs
@@ -54,8 +54,6 @@ impl MmrPeaks {
 
     pub fn verify(&self, value: Word, opening: MmrProof) -> bool {
         let root = &self.peaks[opening.peak_index()];
-        opening
-            .merkle_path
-            .verify(opening.relative_pos() as u64, value, root)
+        opening.merkle_path.verify(opening.relative_pos() as u64, value, root)
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/merkle/mmr/full.rs b/src/merkle/mmr/full.rs
index d100f57..6737f7b 100644
--- a/src/merkle/mmr/full.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/mmr/full.rs
@@ -280,10 +280,7 @@ impl<'a> Iterator for MmrNodes<'a> {
     type Item = InnerNodeInfo;
 
     fn next(&mut self) -> Option<Self::Item> {
-        debug_assert!(
-            self.last_right.count_ones() <= 1,
-            "last_right tracks zero or one element"
-        );
+        debug_assert!(self.last_right.count_ones() <= 1, "last_right tracks zero or one element");
 
         // only parent nodes are emitted, remove the single node tree from the forest
         let target = self.mmr.forest & (usize::MAX << 1);
diff --git a/src/merkle/mmr/tests.rs b/src/merkle/mmr/tests.rs
index 218a6dd..aca4ff7 100644
--- a/src/merkle/mmr/tests.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/mmr/tests.rs
@@ -118,9 +118,7 @@ fn test_mmr_simple() {
     postorder.push(LEAVES[2]);
     postorder.push(LEAVES[3]);
     postorder.push(*Rpo256::hash_elements(&[LEAVES[2], LEAVES[3]].concat()));
-    postorder.push(*Rpo256::hash_elements(
-        &[postorder[2], postorder[5]].concat(),
-    ));
+    postorder.push(*Rpo256::hash_elements(&[postorder[2], postorder[5]].concat()));
     postorder.push(LEAVES[4]);
     postorder.push(LEAVES[5]);
     postorder.push(*Rpo256::hash_elements(&[LEAVES[4], LEAVES[5]].concat()));
@@ -201,10 +199,7 @@ fn test_mmr_open() {
     let h23: Word = Rpo256::hash_elements(&LEAVES[2..4].concat()).into();
 
     // node at pos 7 is the root
-    assert!(
-        mmr.open(7).is_err(),
-        "Element 7 is not in the tree, result should be None"
-    );
+    assert!(mmr.open(7).is_err(), "Element 7 is not in the tree, result should be None");
 
     // node at pos 6 is the root
     let empty: MerklePath = MerklePath::new(vec![]);
@@ -297,41 +292,13 @@ fn test_mmr_open() {
 #[test]
 fn test_mmr_get() {
     let mmr: Mmr = LEAVES.into();
-    assert_eq!(
-        mmr.get(0).unwrap(),
-        LEAVES[0],
-        "value at pos 0 must correspond"
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        mmr.get(1).unwrap(),
-        LEAVES[1],
-        "value at pos 1 must correspond"
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        mmr.get(2).unwrap(),
-        LEAVES[2],
-        "value at pos 2 must correspond"
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        mmr.get(3).unwrap(),
-        LEAVES[3],
-        "value at pos 3 must correspond"
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        mmr.get(4).unwrap(),
-        LEAVES[4],
-        "value at pos 4 must correspond"
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        mmr.get(5).unwrap(),
-        LEAVES[5],
-        "value at pos 5 must correspond"
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        mmr.get(6).unwrap(),
-        LEAVES[6],
-        "value at pos 6 must correspond"
-    );
+    assert_eq!(mmr.get(0).unwrap(), LEAVES[0], "value at pos 0 must correspond");
+    assert_eq!(mmr.get(1).unwrap(), LEAVES[1], "value at pos 1 must correspond");
+    assert_eq!(mmr.get(2).unwrap(), LEAVES[2], "value at pos 2 must correspond");
+    assert_eq!(mmr.get(3).unwrap(), LEAVES[3], "value at pos 3 must correspond");
+    assert_eq!(mmr.get(4).unwrap(), LEAVES[4], "value at pos 4 must correspond");
+    assert_eq!(mmr.get(5).unwrap(), LEAVES[5], "value at pos 5 must correspond");
+    assert_eq!(mmr.get(6).unwrap(), LEAVES[6], "value at pos 6 must correspond");
     assert!(mmr.get(7).is_err());
 }
 
@@ -341,11 +308,7 @@ fn test_mmr_invariants() {
     for v in 1..=1028 {
         mmr.add(int_to_node(v));
         let accumulator = mmr.accumulator();
-        assert_eq!(
-            v as usize,
-            mmr.forest(),
-            "MMR leaf count must increase by one on every add"
-        );
+        assert_eq!(v as usize, mmr.forest(), "MMR leaf count must increase by one on every add");
         assert_eq!(
             v as usize, accumulator.num_leaves,
             "MMR and its accumulator must match leaves count"
@@ -374,41 +337,21 @@ fn test_bit_position_iterator() {
     assert_eq!(TrueBitPositionIterator::new(0).count(), 0);
     assert_eq!(TrueBitPositionIterator::new(0).rev().count(), 0);
 
-    assert_eq!(
-        TrueBitPositionIterator::new(1).collect::<Vec<u32>>(),
-        vec![0]
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        TrueBitPositionIterator::new(1).rev().collect::<Vec<u32>>(),
-        vec![0],
-    );
+    assert_eq!(TrueBitPositionIterator::new(1).collect::<Vec<u32>>(), vec![0]);
+    assert_eq!(TrueBitPositionIterator::new(1).rev().collect::<Vec<u32>>(), vec![0],);
 
-    assert_eq!(
-        TrueBitPositionIterator::new(2).collect::<Vec<u32>>(),
-        vec![1]
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        TrueBitPositionIterator::new(2).rev().collect::<Vec<u32>>(),
-        vec![1],
-    );
+    assert_eq!(TrueBitPositionIterator::new(2).collect::<Vec<u32>>(), vec![1]);
+    assert_eq!(TrueBitPositionIterator::new(2).rev().collect::<Vec<u32>>(), vec![1],);
 
-    assert_eq!(
-        TrueBitPositionIterator::new(3).collect::<Vec<u32>>(),
-        vec![0, 1],
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        TrueBitPositionIterator::new(3).rev().collect::<Vec<u32>>(),
-        vec![1, 0],
-    );
+    assert_eq!(TrueBitPositionIterator::new(3).collect::<Vec<u32>>(), vec![0, 1],);
+    assert_eq!(TrueBitPositionIterator::new(3).rev().collect::<Vec<u32>>(), vec![1, 0],);
 
     assert_eq!(
         TrueBitPositionIterator::new(0b11010101).collect::<Vec<u32>>(),
         vec![0, 2, 4, 6, 7],
     );
     assert_eq!(
-        TrueBitPositionIterator::new(0b11010101)
-            .rev()
-            .collect::<Vec<u32>>(),
+        TrueBitPositionIterator::new(0b11010101).rev().collect::<Vec<u32>>(),
         vec![7, 6, 4, 2, 0],
     );
 }
@@ -463,10 +406,7 @@ fn test_mmr_hash_peaks() {
     // minimum length is 16
     let mut expected_peaks = [first_peak, second_peak, third_peak].to_vec();
     expected_peaks.resize(16, [ZERO; WORD_SIZE]);
-    assert_eq!(
-        peaks.hash_peaks(),
-        *Rpo256::hash_elements(&expected_peaks.as_slice().concat())
-    );
+    assert_eq!(peaks.hash_peaks(), *Rpo256::hash_elements(&expected_peaks.as_slice().concat()));
 }
 
 #[test]
diff --git a/src/merkle/mod.rs b/src/merkle/mod.rs
index 4d36577..aca3dde 100644
--- a/src/merkle/mod.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/mod.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ mod simple_smt;
 pub use simple_smt::SimpleSmt;
 
 mod mmr;
-pub use mmr::{Mmr, MmrPeaks};
+pub use mmr::{Mmr, MmrPeaks, MmrProof};
 
 mod store;
 pub use store::MerkleStore;
diff --git a/src/merkle/path.rs b/src/merkle/path.rs
index 964f6d0..e873d84 100644
--- a/src/merkle/path.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/path.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use super::{vec, MerkleError, NodeIndex, Rpo256, Vec, Word};
+use super::{vec, InnerNodeInfo, MerkleError, NodeIndex, Rpo256, Vec, Word};
 use core::ops::{Deref, DerefMut};
 
 // MERKLE PATH
@@ -22,6 +22,11 @@ impl MerklePath {
     // PROVIDERS
     // --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
+    /// Returns the depth in which this Merkle path proof is valid.
+    pub fn depth(&self) -> u8 {
+        self.nodes.len() as u8
+    }
+
     /// Computes the merkle root for this opening.
     pub fn compute_root(&self, index: u64, node: Word) -> Result<Word, MerkleError> {
         let mut index = NodeIndex::new(self.depth(), index)?;
@@ -34,11 +39,6 @@ impl MerklePath {
         Ok(root)
     }
 
-    /// Returns the depth in which this Merkle path proof is valid.
-    pub fn depth(&self) -> u8 {
-        self.nodes.len() as u8
-    }
-
     /// Verifies the Merkle opening proof towards the provided root.
     ///
     /// Returns `true` if `node` exists at `index` in a Merkle tree with `root`.
@@ -48,6 +48,20 @@ impl MerklePath {
             Err(_) => false,
         }
     }
+
+    /// Returns an iterator over every inner node of this [MerklePath].
+    ///
+    /// The iteration order is unspecified.
+    ///
+    /// # Errors
+    /// Returns an error if the specified index is not valid for this path.
+    pub fn inner_nodes(&self, index: u64, node: Word) -> Result<InnerNodeIterator, MerkleError> {
+        Ok(InnerNodeIterator {
+            nodes: &self.nodes,
+            index: NodeIndex::new(self.depth(), index)?,
+            value: node,
+        })
+    }
 }
 
 impl From<Vec<Word>> for MerklePath {
@@ -72,6 +86,9 @@ impl DerefMut for MerklePath {
     }
 }
 
+// ITERATORS
+// ================================================================================================
+
 impl FromIterator<Word> for MerklePath {
     fn from_iter<T: IntoIterator<Item = Word>>(iter: T) -> Self {
         Self::new(iter.into_iter().collect())
@@ -87,6 +104,39 @@ impl IntoIterator for MerklePath {
     }
 }
 
+/// An iterator over internal nodes of a [MerklePath].
+pub struct InnerNodeIterator<'a> {
+    nodes: &'a Vec<Word>,
+    index: NodeIndex,
+    value: Word,
+}
+
+impl<'a> Iterator for InnerNodeIterator<'a> {
+    type Item = InnerNodeInfo;
+
+    fn next(&mut self) -> Option<Self::Item> {
+        if !self.index.is_root() {
+            let sibling_pos = self.nodes.len() - self.index.depth() as usize;
+            let (left, right) = if self.index.is_value_odd() {
+                (self.nodes[sibling_pos], self.value)
+            } else {
+                (self.value, self.nodes[sibling_pos])
+            };
+
+            self.value = Rpo256::merge(&[left.into(), right.into()]).into();
+            self.index.move_up();
+
+            Some(InnerNodeInfo {
+                value: self.value,
+                left,
+                right,
+            })
+        } else {
+            None
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 // MERKLE PATH CONTAINERS
 // ================================================================================================
 
@@ -110,3 +160,25 @@ pub struct RootPath {
     /// The path from `value` to `root` (exclusive).
     pub path: MerklePath,
 }
+
+// TESTS
+// ================================================================================================
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use crate::merkle::{int_to_node, MerklePath};
+
+    #[test]
+    fn test_inner_nodes() {
+        let nodes = vec![int_to_node(1), int_to_node(2), int_to_node(3), int_to_node(4)];
+        let merkle_path = MerklePath::new(nodes);
+
+        let index = 6;
+        let node = int_to_node(5);
+        let root = merkle_path.compute_root(index, node).unwrap();
+
+        let inner_root = merkle_path.inner_nodes(index, node).unwrap().last().unwrap().value;
+
+        assert_eq!(root, inner_root);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/merkle/path_set.rs b/src/merkle/path_set.rs
index ef3cc48..653fab1 100644
--- a/src/merkle/path_set.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/path_set.rs
@@ -34,12 +34,10 @@ impl MerklePathSet {
     where
         I: IntoIterator<Item = (u64, Word, MerklePath)>,
     {
-        paths
-            .into_iter()
-            .try_fold(self, |mut set, (index, value, path)| {
-                set.add_path(index, value, path)?;
-                Ok(set)
-            })
+        paths.into_iter().try_fold(self, |mut set, (index, value, path)| {
+            set.add_path(index, value, path)?;
+            Ok(set)
+        })
     }
 
     // PUBLIC ACCESSORS
@@ -291,14 +289,9 @@ mod tests {
         let hash_6 = int_to_node(6);
         let index = 6_u64;
         let depth = 3_u8;
-        let set = MerklePathSet::new(depth)
-            .with_paths([(index, hash_6, path_6.into())])
-            .unwrap();
+        let set = MerklePathSet::new(depth).with_paths([(index, hash_6, path_6.into())]).unwrap();
 
-        assert_eq!(
-            int_to_node(6u64),
-            set.get_node(NodeIndex::make(depth, index)).unwrap()
-        );
+        assert_eq!(int_to_node(6u64), set.get_node(NodeIndex::make(depth, index)).unwrap());
     }
 
     #[test]
diff --git a/src/merkle/simple_smt/mod.rs b/src/merkle/simple_smt/mod.rs
index b9eda8a..1f29fe0 100644
--- a/src/merkle/simple_smt/mod.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/simple_smt/mod.rs
@@ -131,12 +131,7 @@ impl SimpleSmt {
             Err(MerkleError::DepthTooBig(index.depth() as u64))
         } else if index.depth() == self.depth() {
             self.get_leaf_node(index.value())
-                .or_else(|| {
-                    self.empty_hashes
-                        .get(index.depth() as usize)
-                        .copied()
-                        .map(Word::from)
-                })
+                .or_else(|| self.empty_hashes.get(index.depth() as usize).copied().map(Word::from))
                 .ok_or(MerkleError::NodeNotInSet(index.value()))
         } else {
             let branch_node = self.get_branch_node(&index);
@@ -217,11 +212,7 @@ impl SimpleSmt {
             let is_right = index.is_value_odd();
             index.move_up();
             let BranchNode { left, right } = self.get_branch_node(&index);
-            let (left, right) = if is_right {
-                (left, value)
-            } else {
-                (value, right)
-            };
+            let (left, right) = if is_right { (left, value) } else { (value, right) };
             self.insert_branch_node(index, left, right);
             value = Rpo256::merge(&[left, right]);
         }
diff --git a/src/merkle/simple_smt/tests.rs b/src/merkle/simple_smt/tests.rs
index 82938d3..582e003 100644
--- a/src/merkle/simple_smt/tests.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/simple_smt/tests.rs
@@ -8,12 +8,7 @@ use rand_utils::prng_array;
 const KEYS4: [u64; 4] = [0, 1, 2, 3];
 const KEYS8: [u64; 8] = [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7];
 
-const VALUES4: [Word; 4] = [
-    int_to_node(1),
-    int_to_node(2),
-    int_to_node(3),
-    int_to_node(4),
-];
+const VALUES4: [Word; 4] = [int_to_node(1), int_to_node(2), int_to_node(3), int_to_node(4)];
 
 const VALUES8: [Word; 8] = [
     int_to_node(1),
@@ -56,8 +51,7 @@ fn build_sparse_tree() {
     let key = 6;
     let new_node = int_to_node(7);
     values[key as usize] = new_node;
-    smt.insert_leaf(key, new_node)
-        .expect("Failed to insert leaf");
+    smt.insert_leaf(key, new_node).expect("Failed to insert leaf");
     let mt2 = MerkleTree::new(values.clone()).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(mt2.root(), smt.root());
     assert_eq!(
@@ -69,8 +63,7 @@ fn build_sparse_tree() {
     let key = 2;
     let new_node = int_to_node(3);
     values[key as usize] = new_node;
-    smt.insert_leaf(key, new_node)
-        .expect("Failed to insert leaf");
+    smt.insert_leaf(key, new_node).expect("Failed to insert leaf");
     let mt3 = MerkleTree::new(values).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(mt3.root(), smt.root());
     assert_eq!(
@@ -116,22 +109,10 @@ fn get_path() {
     let (_, node2, node3) = compute_internal_nodes();
 
     // check depth 2
-    assert_eq!(
-        vec![VALUES4[1], node3],
-        *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 0)).unwrap()
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        vec![VALUES4[0], node3],
-        *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 1)).unwrap()
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        vec![VALUES4[3], node2],
-        *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 2)).unwrap()
-    );
-    assert_eq!(
-        vec![VALUES4[2], node2],
-        *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 3)).unwrap()
-    );
+    assert_eq!(vec![VALUES4[1], node3], *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 0)).unwrap());
+    assert_eq!(vec![VALUES4[0], node3], *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 1)).unwrap());
+    assert_eq!(vec![VALUES4[3], node2], *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 2)).unwrap());
+    assert_eq!(vec![VALUES4[2], node2], *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(2, 3)).unwrap());
 
     // check depth 1
     assert_eq!(vec![node3], *tree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(1, 0)).unwrap());
diff --git a/src/merkle/store/mod.rs b/src/merkle/store/mod.rs
index a938c4f..96ca54a 100644
--- a/src/merkle/store/mod.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/store/mod.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
-use super::mmr::{Mmr, MmrPeaks};
+use super::mmr::Mmr;
 use super::{
-    BTreeMap, EmptySubtreeRoots, MerkleError, MerklePath, MerklePathSet, MerkleTree, NodeIndex,
-    RootPath, Rpo256, RpoDigest, SimpleSmt, ValuePath, Vec, Word,
+    BTreeMap, EmptySubtreeRoots, InnerNodeInfo, MerkleError, MerklePath, MerklePathSet, MerkleTree,
+    NodeIndex, RootPath, Rpo256, RpoDigest, SimpleSmt, ValuePath, Vec, Word,
 };
 use crate::utils::{ByteReader, ByteWriter, Deserializable, DeserializationError, Serializable};
 
@@ -47,9 +47,13 @@ pub struct Node {
 /// // the store is initialized with the SMT empty nodes
 /// assert_eq!(store.num_internal_nodes(), 255);
 ///
+/// let tree1 = MerkleTree::new(vec![A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H0]).unwrap();
+/// let tree2 = MerkleTree::new(vec![A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H1]).unwrap();
+///
 /// // populates the store with two merkle trees, common nodes are shared
-/// store.add_merkle_tree([A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H0]);
-/// store.add_merkle_tree([A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H1]);
+/// store
+///     .extend(tree1.inner_nodes())
+///     .extend(tree2.inner_nodes());
 ///
 /// // every leaf except the last are the same
 /// for i in 0..7 {
@@ -111,60 +115,6 @@ impl MerkleStore {
         MerkleStore { nodes }
     }
 
-    /// Appends the provided merkle tree represented by its `leaves` to the set.
-    pub fn with_merkle_tree<I>(mut self, leaves: I) -> Result<Self, MerkleError>
-    where
-        I: IntoIterator<Item = Word>,
-    {
-        self.add_merkle_tree(leaves)?;
-        Ok(self)
-    }
-
-    /// Appends the provided Sparse Merkle tree represented by its `entries` to the set.
-    ///
-    /// For more information, check [MerkleStore::add_sparse_merkle_tree].
-    pub fn with_sparse_merkle_tree<R, I>(
-        mut self,
-        depth: u8,
-        entries: R,
-    ) -> Result<Self, MerkleError>
-    where
-        R: IntoIterator<IntoIter = I>,
-        I: Iterator<Item = (u64, Word)> + ExactSizeIterator,
-    {
-        self.add_sparse_merkle_tree(depth, entries)?;
-        Ok(self)
-    }
-
-    /// Appends the provided merkle path set.
-    pub fn with_merkle_path(
-        mut self,
-        index_value: u64,
-        node: Word,
-        path: MerklePath,
-    ) -> Result<Self, MerkleError> {
-        self.add_merkle_path(index_value, node, path)?;
-        Ok(self)
-    }
-
-    /// Appends the provided merkle path set.
-    pub fn with_merkle_paths<I>(mut self, paths: I) -> Result<Self, MerkleError>
-    where
-        I: IntoIterator<Item = (u64, Word, MerklePath)>,
-    {
-        self.add_merkle_paths(paths)?;
-        Ok(self)
-    }
-
-    /// Appends the provided [Mmr] represented by its `leaves` to the set.
-    pub fn with_mmr<I>(mut self, leaves: I) -> Result<Self, MerkleError>
-    where
-        I: IntoIterator<Item = Word>,
-    {
-        self.add_mmr(leaves)?;
-        Ok(self)
-    }
-
     // PUBLIC ACCESSORS
     // --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
@@ -184,15 +134,11 @@ impl MerkleStore {
         let mut hash: RpoDigest = root.into();
 
         // corner case: check the root is in the store when called with index `NodeIndex::root()`
-        self.nodes
-            .get(&hash)
-            .ok_or(MerkleError::RootNotInStore(hash.into()))?;
+        self.nodes.get(&hash).ok_or(MerkleError::RootNotInStore(hash.into()))?;
 
         for i in (0..index.depth()).rev() {
-            let node = self
-                .nodes
-                .get(&hash)
-                .ok_or(MerkleError::NodeNotInStore(hash.into(), index))?;
+            let node =
+                self.nodes.get(&hash).ok_or(MerkleError::NodeNotInStore(hash.into(), index))?;
 
             let bit = (index.value() >> i) & 1;
             hash = if bit == 0 { node.left } else { node.right }
@@ -215,15 +161,11 @@ impl MerkleStore {
         let mut path = Vec::with_capacity(index.depth().into());
 
         // corner case: check the root is in the store when called with index `NodeIndex::root()`
-        self.nodes
-            .get(&hash)
-            .ok_or(MerkleError::RootNotInStore(hash.into()))?;
+        self.nodes.get(&hash).ok_or(MerkleError::RootNotInStore(hash.into()))?;
 
         for i in (0..index.depth()).rev() {
-            let node = self
-                .nodes
-                .get(&hash)
-                .ok_or(MerkleError::NodeNotInStore(hash.into(), index))?;
+            let node =
+                self.nodes.get(&hash).ok_or(MerkleError::NodeNotInStore(hash.into(), index))?;
 
             let bit = (index.value() >> i) & 1;
             hash = if bit == 0 {
@@ -302,11 +244,7 @@ impl MerkleStore {
             };
 
             // traverse down
-            hash = if path & 1 == 0 {
-                children.left
-            } else {
-                children.right
-            };
+            hash = if path & 1 == 0 { children.left } else { children.right };
             path >>= 1;
         }
 
@@ -322,68 +260,21 @@ impl MerkleStore {
     // STATE MUTATORS
     // --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-    /// Adds all the nodes of a Merkle tree represented by `leaves`.
-    ///
-    /// This will instantiate a Merkle tree using `leaves` and include all the nodes into the
-    /// store.
-    ///
-    /// # Errors
-    ///
-    /// This method may return the following errors:
-    /// - `DepthTooSmall` if leaves is empty or contains only 1 element
-    /// - `NumLeavesNotPowerOfTwo` if the number of leaves is not a power-of-two
-    pub fn add_merkle_tree<I>(&mut self, leaves: I) -> Result<Word, MerkleError>
+    /// Adds a sequence of nodes yielded by the provided iterator into the store.
+    pub fn extend<I>(&mut self, iter: I) -> &mut MerkleStore
     where
-        I: IntoIterator<Item = Word>,
+        I: Iterator<Item = InnerNodeInfo>,
     {
-        let leaves: Vec<_> = leaves.into_iter().collect();
-        if leaves.len() < 2 {
-            return Err(MerkleError::DepthTooSmall(leaves.len() as u8));
+        for node in iter {
+            let value: RpoDigest = node.value.into();
+            let left: RpoDigest = node.left.into();
+            let right: RpoDigest = node.right.into();
+
+            debug_assert_eq!(Rpo256::merge(&[left, right]), value);
+            self.nodes.insert(value, Node { left, right });
         }
 
-        let tree = MerkleTree::new(leaves)?;
-        for node in tree.inner_nodes() {
-            self.nodes.insert(
-                node.value.into(),
-                Node {
-                    left: node.left.into(),
-                    right: node.right.into(),
-                },
-            );
-        }
-
-        Ok(tree.root())
-    }
-
-    /// Adds a Sparse Merkle tree defined by the specified `entries` to the store, and returns the
-    /// root of the added tree.
-    ///
-    /// The entries are expected to contain tuples of `(index, node)` describing nodes in the tree
-    /// at `depth`.
-    ///
-    /// # Errors
-    /// Returns an error if the provided `depth` is greater than [SimpleSmt::MAX_DEPTH].
-    pub fn add_sparse_merkle_tree<R, I>(
-        &mut self,
-        depth: u8,
-        entries: R,
-    ) -> Result<Word, MerkleError>
-    where
-        R: IntoIterator<IntoIter = I>,
-        I: Iterator<Item = (u64, Word)> + ExactSizeIterator,
-    {
-        let smt = SimpleSmt::new(depth)?.with_leaves(entries)?;
-        for node in smt.inner_nodes() {
-            self.nodes.insert(
-                node.value.into(),
-                Node {
-                    left: node.left.into(),
-                    right: node.right.into(),
-                },
-            );
-        }
-
-        Ok(smt.root())
+        self
     }
 
     /// Adds all the nodes of a Merkle path represented by `path`, opening to `node`. Returns the
@@ -393,31 +284,21 @@ impl MerkleStore {
     /// include all the nodes into the store.
     pub fn add_merkle_path(
         &mut self,
-        index_value: u64,
-        mut node: Word,
+        index: u64,
+        node: Word,
         path: MerklePath,
     ) -> Result<Word, MerkleError> {
-        let mut index = NodeIndex::new(path.len() as u8, index_value)?;
+        let root = path.inner_nodes(index, node)?.fold(Word::default(), |_, node| {
+            let value: RpoDigest = node.value.into();
+            let left: RpoDigest = node.left.into();
+            let right: RpoDigest = node.right.into();
 
-        for sibling in path {
-            let (left, right) = match index.is_value_odd() {
-                true => (sibling, node),
-                false => (node, sibling),
-            };
-            let parent = Rpo256::merge(&[left.into(), right.into()]);
-            self.nodes.insert(
-                parent,
-                Node {
-                    left: left.into(),
-                    right: right.into(),
-                },
-            );
+            debug_assert_eq!(Rpo256::merge(&[left, right]), value);
+            self.nodes.insert(value, Node { left, right });
 
-            index.move_up();
-            node = parent.into();
-        }
-
-        Ok(node)
+            node.value
+        });
+        Ok(root)
     }
 
     /// Adds all the nodes of multiple Merkle paths into the store.
@@ -447,25 +328,6 @@ impl MerkleStore {
         Ok(root)
     }
 
-    /// Appends the provided [Mmr] into the store.
-    pub fn add_mmr<I>(&mut self, leaves: I) -> Result<MmrPeaks, MerkleError>
-    where
-        I: IntoIterator<Item = Word>,
-    {
-        let mmr = Mmr::from(leaves);
-        for node in mmr.inner_nodes() {
-            self.nodes.insert(
-                node.value.into(),
-                Node {
-                    left: node.left.into(),
-                    right: node.right.into(),
-                },
-            );
-        }
-
-        Ok(mmr.accumulator())
-    }
-
     /// Sets a node to `value`.
     ///
     /// # Errors
@@ -490,26 +352,61 @@ impl MerkleStore {
         Ok(RootPath { root, path })
     }
 
+    /// Merges two elements and adds the resulting node into the store.
+    ///
+    /// Merges arbitrary values. They may be leafs, nodes, or a mixture of both.
     pub fn merge_roots(&mut self, root1: Word, root2: Word) -> Result<Word, MerkleError> {
-        let root1: RpoDigest = root1.into();
-        let root2: RpoDigest = root2.into();
+        let left: RpoDigest = root1.into();
+        let right: RpoDigest = root2.into();
 
-        if !self.nodes.contains_key(&root1) {
-            Err(MerkleError::NodeNotInStore(root1.into(), NodeIndex::root()))
-        } else if !self.nodes.contains_key(&root1) {
-            Err(MerkleError::NodeNotInStore(root2.into(), NodeIndex::root()))
-        } else {
-            let parent: Word = Rpo256::merge(&[root1, root2]).into();
-            self.nodes.insert(
-                parent.into(),
-                Node {
-                    left: root1,
-                    right: root2,
-                },
-            );
+        let parent = Rpo256::merge(&[left, right]);
+        self.nodes.insert(parent, Node { left, right });
 
-            Ok(parent)
-        }
+        Ok(parent.into())
+    }
+}
+
+// CONVERSIONS
+// ================================================================================================
+
+impl From<&MerkleTree> for MerkleStore {
+    fn from(value: &MerkleTree) -> Self {
+        let mut store = MerkleStore::new();
+        store.extend(value.inner_nodes());
+        store
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<&SimpleSmt> for MerkleStore {
+    fn from(value: &SimpleSmt) -> Self {
+        let mut store = MerkleStore::new();
+        store.extend(value.inner_nodes());
+        store
+    }
+}
+
+impl From<&Mmr> for MerkleStore {
+    fn from(value: &Mmr) -> Self {
+        let mut store = MerkleStore::new();
+        store.extend(value.inner_nodes());
+        store
+    }
+}
+
+impl FromIterator<InnerNodeInfo> for MerkleStore {
+    fn from_iter<T: IntoIterator<Item = InnerNodeInfo>>(iter: T) -> Self {
+        let mut store = MerkleStore::new();
+        store.extend(iter.into_iter());
+        store
+    }
+}
+
+// ITERATORS
+// ================================================================================================
+
+impl Extend<InnerNodeInfo> for MerkleStore {
+    fn extend<T: IntoIterator<Item = InnerNodeInfo>>(&mut self, iter: T) {
+        self.extend(iter.into_iter());
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/merkle/store/tests.rs b/src/merkle/store/tests.rs
index de65b1f..02e12b2 100644
--- a/src/merkle/store/tests.rs
+++ b/src/merkle/store/tests.rs
@@ -1,26 +1,21 @@
 use super::*;
 use crate::{
     hash::rpo::Rpo256,
-    merkle::{int_to_node, MerklePathSet},
+    merkle::{int_to_node, MerklePathSet, MerkleTree, SimpleSmt},
     Felt, Word, WORD_SIZE, ZERO,
 };
 
-#[cfg(std)]
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 use std::error::Error;
 
 const KEYS4: [u64; 4] = [0, 1, 2, 3];
-const LEAVES4: [Word; 4] = [
-    int_to_node(1),
-    int_to_node(2),
-    int_to_node(3),
-    int_to_node(4),
-];
+const LEAVES4: [Word; 4] = [int_to_node(1), int_to_node(2), int_to_node(3), int_to_node(4)];
 const EMPTY: Word = [ZERO; WORD_SIZE];
 
 #[test]
 fn test_root_not_in_store() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
     let mtree = MerkleTree::new(LEAVES4.to_vec())?;
-    let store = MerkleStore::default().with_merkle_tree(LEAVES4)?;
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
     assert_eq!(
         store.get_node(LEAVES4[0], NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 0)),
         Err(MerkleError::RootNotInStore(LEAVES4[0])),
@@ -37,10 +32,8 @@ fn test_root_not_in_store() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
 
 #[test]
 fn test_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
-    let mut store = MerkleStore::default();
-
     let mtree = MerkleTree::new(LEAVES4.to_vec())?;
-    store.add_merkle_tree(LEAVES4.to_vec())?;
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
 
     // STORE LEAVES ARE CORRECT ==============================================================
     // checks the leaves in the store corresponds to the expected values
@@ -90,9 +83,7 @@ fn test_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
 
     // STORE MERKLE PATH MATCHS ==============================================================
     // assert the merkle path returned by the store is the same as the one in the tree
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(mtree.root(), NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 0))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(mtree.root(), NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 0)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[0], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 0 must match leaf value"
@@ -103,9 +94,7 @@ fn test_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         "merkle path for index 0 must be the same for the MerkleTree and MerkleStore"
     );
 
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(mtree.root(), NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 1))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(mtree.root(), NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 1)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[1], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 0 must match leaf value"
@@ -116,9 +105,7 @@ fn test_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         "merkle path for index 1 must be the same for the MerkleTree and MerkleStore"
     );
 
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(mtree.root(), NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 2))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(mtree.root(), NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 2)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[2], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 0 must match leaf value"
@@ -129,9 +116,7 @@ fn test_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         "merkle path for index 0 must be the same for the MerkleTree and MerkleStore"
     );
 
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(mtree.root(), NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 3))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(mtree.root(), NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 3)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[3], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 0 must match leaf value"
@@ -172,10 +157,7 @@ fn test_leaf_paths_for_empty_trees() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         let index = NodeIndex::make(depth, 0);
         let store_path = store.get_path(smt.root(), index)?;
         let smt_path = smt.get_path(index)?;
-        assert_eq!(
-            store_path.value, EMPTY,
-            "the leaf of an empty tree is always ZERO"
-        );
+        assert_eq!(store_path.value, EMPTY, "the leaf of an empty tree is always ZERO");
         assert_eq!(
             store_path.path, smt_path,
             "the returned merkle path does not match the computed values"
@@ -192,55 +174,41 @@ fn test_leaf_paths_for_empty_trees() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
 
 #[test]
 fn test_get_invalid_node() {
-    let mut store = MerkleStore::default();
     let mtree = MerkleTree::new(LEAVES4.to_vec()).expect("creating a merkle tree must work");
-    store
-        .add_merkle_tree(LEAVES4.to_vec())
-        .expect("adding a merkle tree to the store must work");
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
     let _ = store.get_node(mtree.root(), NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 3));
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn test_add_sparse_merkle_tree_one_level() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
-    let mut store = MerkleStore::default();
     let keys2: [u64; 2] = [0, 1];
     let leaves2: [Word; 2] = [int_to_node(1), int_to_node(2)];
-    store.add_sparse_merkle_tree(48, keys2.into_iter().zip(leaves2.into_iter()))?;
     let smt = SimpleSmt::new(1)
         .unwrap()
         .with_leaves(keys2.into_iter().zip(leaves2.into_iter()))
         .unwrap();
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&smt);
 
     let idx = NodeIndex::make(1, 0);
     assert_eq!(smt.get_node(idx).unwrap(), leaves2[0]);
-    assert_eq!(
-        store.get_node(smt.root(), idx).unwrap(),
-        smt.get_node(idx).unwrap()
-    );
+    assert_eq!(store.get_node(smt.root(), idx).unwrap(), smt.get_node(idx).unwrap());
 
     let idx = NodeIndex::make(1, 1);
     assert_eq!(smt.get_node(idx).unwrap(), leaves2[1]);
-    assert_eq!(
-        store.get_node(smt.root(), idx).unwrap(),
-        smt.get_node(idx).unwrap()
-    );
+    assert_eq!(store.get_node(smt.root(), idx).unwrap(), smt.get_node(idx).unwrap());
 
     Ok(())
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn test_sparse_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
-    let mut store = MerkleStore::default();
-    store.add_sparse_merkle_tree(
-        SimpleSmt::MAX_DEPTH,
-        KEYS4.into_iter().zip(LEAVES4.into_iter()),
-    )?;
-
     let smt = SimpleSmt::new(SimpleSmt::MAX_DEPTH)
         .unwrap()
         .with_leaves(KEYS4.into_iter().zip(LEAVES4.into_iter()))
         .unwrap();
 
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&smt);
+
     // STORE LEAVES ARE CORRECT ==============================================================
     // checks the leaves in the store corresponds to the expected values
     assert_eq!(
@@ -299,9 +267,7 @@ fn test_sparse_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
 
     // STORE MERKLE PATH MATCHS ==============================================================
     // assert the merkle path returned by the store is the same as the one in the tree
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(smt.root(), NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 0))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(smt.root(), NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 0)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[0], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 0 must match leaf value"
@@ -312,9 +278,7 @@ fn test_sparse_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         "merkle path for index 0 must be the same for the MerkleTree and MerkleStore"
     );
 
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(smt.root(), NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 1))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(smt.root(), NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 1)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[1], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 1 must match leaf value"
@@ -325,9 +289,7 @@ fn test_sparse_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         "merkle path for index 1 must be the same for the MerkleTree and MerkleStore"
     );
 
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(smt.root(), NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 2))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(smt.root(), NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 2)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[2], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 2 must match leaf value"
@@ -338,9 +300,7 @@ fn test_sparse_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         "merkle path for index 2 must be the same for the MerkleTree and MerkleStore"
     );
 
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(smt.root(), NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 3))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(smt.root(), NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 3)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[3], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 3 must match leaf value"
@@ -351,13 +311,8 @@ fn test_sparse_merkle_tree() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         "merkle path for index 3 must be the same for the MerkleTree and MerkleStore"
     );
 
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(smt.root(), NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 4))
-        .unwrap();
-    assert_eq!(
-        EMPTY, result.value,
-        "Value for merkle path at index 4 must match leaf value"
-    );
+    let result = store.get_path(smt.root(), NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 4)).unwrap();
+    assert_eq!(EMPTY, result.value, "Value for merkle path at index 4 must match leaf value");
     assert_eq!(
         smt.get_path(NodeIndex::make(smt.depth(), 4)),
         Ok(result.path),
@@ -391,9 +346,7 @@ fn test_add_merkle_paths() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
     ];
 
     let mut store = MerkleStore::default();
-    store
-        .add_merkle_paths(paths.clone())
-        .expect("the valid paths must work");
+    store.add_merkle_paths(paths.clone()).expect("the valid paths must work");
 
     let depth = 2;
     let set = MerklePathSet::new(depth).with_paths(paths).unwrap();
@@ -446,9 +399,7 @@ fn test_add_merkle_paths() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
 
     // STORE MERKLE PATH MATCHS ==============================================================
     // assert the merkle path returned by the store is the same as the one in the set
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(set.root(), NodeIndex::make(set.depth(), 0))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(set.root(), NodeIndex::make(set.depth(), 0)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[0], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 0 must match leaf value"
@@ -459,9 +410,7 @@ fn test_add_merkle_paths() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         "merkle path for index 0 must be the same for the MerkleTree and MerkleStore"
     );
 
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(set.root(), NodeIndex::make(set.depth(), 1))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(set.root(), NodeIndex::make(set.depth(), 1)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[1], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 0 must match leaf value"
@@ -472,9 +421,7 @@ fn test_add_merkle_paths() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         "merkle path for index 1 must be the same for the MerkleTree and MerkleStore"
     );
 
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(set.root(), NodeIndex::make(set.depth(), 2))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(set.root(), NodeIndex::make(set.depth(), 2)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[2], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 0 must match leaf value"
@@ -485,9 +432,7 @@ fn test_add_merkle_paths() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
         "merkle path for index 0 must be the same for the MerkleTree and MerkleStore"
     );
 
-    let result = store
-        .get_path(set.root(), NodeIndex::make(set.depth(), 3))
-        .unwrap();
+    let result = store.get_path(set.root(), NodeIndex::make(set.depth(), 3)).unwrap();
     assert_eq!(
         LEAVES4[3], result.value,
         "Value for merkle path at index 0 must match leaf value"
@@ -519,7 +464,8 @@ fn wont_open_to_different_depth_root() {
     // For this example, the depth of the Merkle tree is 1, as we have only two leaves. Here we
     // attempt to fetch a node on the maximum depth, and it should fail because the root shouldn't
     // exist for the set.
-    let store = MerkleStore::default().with_merkle_tree([a, b]).unwrap();
+    let mtree = MerkleTree::new(vec![a, b]).unwrap();
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
     let index = NodeIndex::root();
     let err = store.get_node(root, index).err().unwrap();
     assert_eq!(err, MerkleError::RootNotInStore(root));
@@ -546,13 +492,9 @@ fn store_path_opens_from_leaf() {
 
     let root = Rpo256::merge(&[m.into(), n.into()]);
 
-    let store = MerkleStore::default()
-        .with_merkle_tree([a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h])
-        .unwrap();
-    let path = store
-        .get_path(root.into(), NodeIndex::make(3, 1))
-        .unwrap()
-        .path;
+    let mtree = MerkleTree::new(vec![a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h]).unwrap();
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
+    let path = store.get_path(root.into(), NodeIndex::make(3, 1)).unwrap().path;
 
     let expected = MerklePath::new([a.into(), j.into(), n.into()].to_vec());
     assert_eq!(path, expected);
@@ -561,23 +503,19 @@ fn store_path_opens_from_leaf() {
 #[test]
 fn test_set_node() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
     let mtree = MerkleTree::new(LEAVES4.to_vec())?;
-    let mut store = MerkleStore::default().with_merkle_tree(LEAVES4)?;
+    let mut store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
     let value = int_to_node(42);
     let index = NodeIndex::make(mtree.depth(), 0);
     let new_root = store.set_node(mtree.root(), index, value)?.root;
-    assert_eq!(
-        store.get_node(new_root, index),
-        Ok(value),
-        "Value must have changed"
-    );
+    assert_eq!(store.get_node(new_root, index), Ok(value), "Value must have changed");
 
     Ok(())
 }
 
 #[test]
 fn test_constructors() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
-    let store = MerkleStore::new().with_merkle_tree(LEAVES4)?;
     let mtree = MerkleTree::new(LEAVES4.to_vec())?;
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
 
     let depth = mtree.depth();
     let leaves = 2u64.pow(depth.into());
@@ -588,12 +526,11 @@ fn test_constructors() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
     }
 
     let depth = 32;
-    let store = MerkleStore::default()
-        .with_sparse_merkle_tree(depth, KEYS4.into_iter().zip(LEAVES4.into_iter()))?;
     let smt = SimpleSmt::new(depth)
         .unwrap()
         .with_leaves(KEYS4.into_iter().zip(LEAVES4.into_iter()))
         .unwrap();
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&smt);
     let depth = smt.depth();
 
     for key in KEYS4 {
@@ -604,34 +541,20 @@ fn test_constructors() -> Result<(), MerkleError> {
 
     let d = 2;
     let paths = [
-        (
-            0,
-            LEAVES4[0],
-            mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 0)).unwrap(),
-        ),
-        (
-            1,
-            LEAVES4[1],
-            mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 1)).unwrap(),
-        ),
-        (
-            2,
-            LEAVES4[2],
-            mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 2)).unwrap(),
-        ),
-        (
-            3,
-            LEAVES4[3],
-            mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 3)).unwrap(),
-        ),
+        (0, LEAVES4[0], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 0)).unwrap()),
+        (1, LEAVES4[1], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 1)).unwrap()),
+        (2, LEAVES4[2], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 2)).unwrap()),
+        (3, LEAVES4[3], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 3)).unwrap()),
     ];
 
-    let store1 = MerkleStore::default().with_merkle_paths(paths.clone())?;
-    let store2 = MerkleStore::default()
-        .with_merkle_path(0, LEAVES4[0], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 0))?)?
-        .with_merkle_path(1, LEAVES4[1], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 1))?)?
-        .with_merkle_path(2, LEAVES4[2], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 2))?)?
-        .with_merkle_path(3, LEAVES4[3], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 3))?)?;
+    let mut store1 = MerkleStore::default();
+    store1.add_merkle_paths(paths.clone())?;
+
+    let mut store2 = MerkleStore::default();
+    store2.add_merkle_path(0, LEAVES4[0], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 0))?)?;
+    store2.add_merkle_path(1, LEAVES4[1], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 1))?)?;
+    store2.add_merkle_path(2, LEAVES4[2], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 2))?)?;
+    store2.add_merkle_path(3, LEAVES4[3], mtree.get_path(NodeIndex::make(d, 3))?)?;
     let set = MerklePathSet::new(d).with_paths(paths).unwrap();
 
     for key in [0, 1, 2, 3] {
@@ -792,17 +715,15 @@ fn get_leaf_depth_works_with_depth_8() {
     // duplicate the tree on `a` and assert the depth is short-circuited by such sub-tree
     let index = NodeIndex::new(8, a).unwrap();
     root = store.set_node(root, index, root).unwrap().root;
-    assert_eq!(
-        Err(MerkleError::DepthTooBig(9)),
-        store.get_leaf_depth(root, 8, a)
-    );
+    assert_eq!(Err(MerkleError::DepthTooBig(9)), store.get_leaf_depth(root, 8, a));
 }
 
-#[cfg(std)]
+#[cfg(feature = "std")]
 #[test]
 fn test_serialization() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
-    let original = MerkleStore::new().with_merkle_tree(LEAVES4)?;
-    let decoded = MerkleStore::read_from_bytes(&original.to_bytes())?;
-    assert_eq!(original, decoded);
+    let mtree = MerkleTree::new(LEAVES4.to_vec())?;
+    let store = MerkleStore::from(&mtree);
+    let decoded = MerkleStore::read_from_bytes(&store.to_bytes()).expect("deserialization failed");
+    assert_eq!(store, decoded);
     Ok(())
 }