diff --git a/substrate/Cargo.lock b/substrate/Cargo.lock
index f9e4f913c6..9395f4a6df 100644
--- a/substrate/Cargo.lock
+++ b/substrate/Cargo.lock
@@ -594,6 +594,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "ansi_term 0.12.1",
  "node-cli",
  "rand 0.7.3",
+ "sc-chain-spec",
  "sc-keystore",
  "sp-core",
  "structopt",
@@ -5841,6 +5842,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "sc-telemetry",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
+ "sp-chain-spec",
  "sp-core",
  "sp-runtime",
 ]
@@ -6539,6 +6541,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "serde_json",
  "sp-api",
  "sp-blockchain",
+ "sp-chain-spec",
  "sp-core",
  "sp-io",
  "sp-offchain",
@@ -6568,6 +6571,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "parking_lot 0.10.0",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
+ "sp-chain-spec",
  "sp-core",
  "sp-rpc",
  "sp-runtime",
@@ -7267,6 +7271,14 @@ dependencies = [
  "sp-state-machine",
 ]
 
+[[package]]
+name = "sp-chain-spec"
+version = "2.0.0-alpha.5"
+dependencies = [
+ "serde",
+ "serde_json",
+]
+
 [[package]]
 name = "sp-consensus"
 version = "0.8.0-alpha.5"
diff --git a/substrate/Cargo.toml b/substrate/Cargo.toml
index 035ae7bc37..ab19142da6 100644
--- a/substrate/Cargo.toml
+++ b/substrate/Cargo.toml
@@ -122,6 +122,7 @@ members = [
 	"primitives/consensus/pow",
 	"primitives/consensus/vrf",
 	"primitives/core",
+	"primitives/chain-spec",
 	"primitives/debug-derive",
 	"primitives/storage",
 	"primitives/externalities",
diff --git a/substrate/bin/node-template/node/src/chain_spec.rs b/substrate/bin/node-template/node/src/chain_spec.rs
index 8ed91698eb..fb53edd9a1 100644
--- a/substrate/bin/node-template/node/src/chain_spec.rs
+++ b/substrate/bin/node-template/node/src/chain_spec.rs
@@ -3,10 +3,10 @@ use node_template_runtime::{
 	AccountId, AuraConfig, BalancesConfig, GenesisConfig, GrandpaConfig,
 	SudoConfig, SystemConfig, WASM_BINARY, Signature
 };
-use sp_consensus_aura::sr25519::{AuthorityId as AuraId};
-use sp_finality_grandpa::{AuthorityId as GrandpaId};
-use sc_service;
+use sp_consensus_aura::sr25519::AuthorityId as AuraId;
+use sp_finality_grandpa::AuthorityId as GrandpaId;
 use sp_runtime::traits::{Verify, IdentifyAccount};
+use sc_service::ChainType;
 
 // Note this is the URL for the telemetry server
 //const STAGING_TELEMETRY_URL: &str = "wss://telemetry.polkadot.io/submit/";
@@ -42,6 +42,7 @@ pub fn development_config() -> ChainSpec {
 	ChainSpec::from_genesis(
 		"Development",
 		"dev",
+		ChainType::Development,
 		|| testnet_genesis(
 			vec![
 				authority_keys_from_seed("Alice"),
@@ -67,6 +68,7 @@ pub fn local_testnet_config() -> ChainSpec {
 	ChainSpec::from_genesis(
 		"Local Testnet",
 		"local_testnet",
+		ChainType::Local,
 		|| testnet_genesis(
 			vec![
 				authority_keys_from_seed("Alice"),
diff --git a/substrate/bin/node/cli/src/chain_spec.rs b/substrate/bin/node/cli/src/chain_spec.rs
index 087977daaf..6d67c61381 100644
--- a/substrate/bin/node/cli/src/chain_spec.rs
+++ b/substrate/bin/node/cli/src/chain_spec.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ use node_runtime::{
 };
 use node_runtime::Block;
 use node_runtime::constants::currency::*;
-use sc_service;
+use sc_service::ChainType;
 use hex_literal::hex;
 use sc_telemetry::TelemetryEndpoints;
 use grandpa_primitives::{AuthorityId as GrandpaId};
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ pub fn staging_testnet_config() -> ChainSpec {
 	ChainSpec::from_genesis(
 		"Staging Testnet",
 		"staging_testnet",
+		ChainType::Live,
 		staging_testnet_config_genesis,
 		boot_nodes,
 		Some(TelemetryEndpoints::new(vec![(STAGING_TELEMETRY_URL.to_string(), 0)])
@@ -338,6 +339,7 @@ pub fn development_config() -> ChainSpec {
 	ChainSpec::from_genesis(
 		"Development",
 		"dev",
+		ChainType::Development,
 		development_config_genesis,
 		vec![],
 		None,
@@ -364,6 +366,7 @@ pub fn local_testnet_config() -> ChainSpec {
 	ChainSpec::from_genesis(
 		"Local Testnet",
 		"local_testnet",
+		ChainType::Local,
 		local_testnet_genesis,
 		vec![],
 		None,
@@ -396,6 +399,7 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
 		ChainSpec::from_genesis(
 			"Integration Test",
 			"test",
+			ChainType::Development,
 			local_testnet_genesis_instant_single,
 			vec![],
 			None,
@@ -410,6 +414,7 @@ pub(crate) mod tests {
 		ChainSpec::from_genesis(
 			"Integration Test",
 			"test",
+			ChainType::Development,
 			local_testnet_genesis,
 			vec![],
 			None,
diff --git a/substrate/bin/utils/chain-spec-builder/Cargo.toml b/substrate/bin/utils/chain-spec-builder/Cargo.toml
index 9b03dd17b7..bab393a86a 100644
--- a/substrate/bin/utils/chain-spec-builder/Cargo.toml
+++ b/substrate/bin/utils/chain-spec-builder/Cargo.toml
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ repository = "https://github.com/paritytech/substrate/"
 [dependencies]
 ansi_term = "0.12.1"
 sc-keystore = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../../client/keystore" }
+sc-chain-spec = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../../client/chain-spec" }
 node-cli = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../node/cli" }
 sp-core = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../../primitives/core" }
 rand = "0.7.2"
diff --git a/substrate/bin/utils/chain-spec-builder/src/main.rs b/substrate/bin/utils/chain-spec-builder/src/main.rs
index 5aa7e7fff7..1440187014 100644
--- a/substrate/bin/utils/chain-spec-builder/src/main.rs
+++ b/substrate/bin/utils/chain-spec-builder/src/main.rs
@@ -120,6 +120,7 @@ fn generate_chain_spec(
 	let chain_spec = chain_spec::ChainSpec::from_genesis(
 		"Custom",
 		"custom",
+		sc_chain_spec::ChainType::Live,
 		move || genesis_constructor(&authority_seeds, &endowed_accounts, &sudo_account),
 		vec![],
 		None,
diff --git a/substrate/client/chain-spec/Cargo.toml b/substrate/client/chain-spec/Cargo.toml
index 5d65cbd842..cf30ad6063 100644
--- a/substrate/client/chain-spec/Cargo.toml
+++ b/substrate/client/chain-spec/Cargo.toml
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ sp-core = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/core" }
 serde = { version = "1.0.101", features = ["derive"] }
 serde_json = "1.0.41"
 sp-runtime = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/runtime" }
+sp-chain-spec = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/chain-spec" }
 sc-telemetry = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../telemetry" }
 
 [package.metadata.docs.rs]
diff --git a/substrate/client/chain-spec/src/chain_spec.rs b/substrate/client/chain-spec/src/chain_spec.rs
index a7cf1d8aac..9f3a10ee89 100644
--- a/substrate/client/chain-spec/src/chain_spec.rs
+++ b/substrate/client/chain-spec/src/chain_spec.rs
@@ -25,8 +25,7 @@ use serde::{Serialize, Deserialize};
 use sp_core::storage::{StorageKey, StorageData, ChildInfo, Storage, StorageChild};
 use sp_runtime::BuildStorage;
 use serde_json as json;
-use crate::RuntimeGenesis;
-use crate::extension::GetExtension;
+use crate::{RuntimeGenesis, ChainType, extension::GetExtension, Properties};
 use sc_network::config::MultiaddrWithPeerId;
 use sc_telemetry::TelemetryEndpoints;
 
@@ -137,6 +136,8 @@ enum Genesis<G> {
 struct ClientSpec<E> {
 	name: String,
 	id: String,
+	#[serde(default)]
+	chain_type: ChainType,
 	boot_nodes: Vec<MultiaddrWithPeerId>,
 	telemetry_endpoints: Option<TelemetryEndpoints>,
 	protocol_id: Option<String>,
@@ -149,9 +150,6 @@ struct ClientSpec<E> {
 	genesis: serde::de::IgnoredAny,
 }
 
-/// Arbitrary properties defined in chain spec as a JSON object
-pub type Properties = json::map::Map<String, json::Value>;
-
 /// A type denoting empty extensions.
 ///
 /// We use `Option` here since `()` is not flattenable by serde.
@@ -219,6 +217,7 @@ impl<G, E> ChainSpec<G, E> {
 	pub fn from_genesis<F: Fn() -> G + 'static + Send + Sync>(
 		name: &str,
 		id: &str,
+		chain_type: ChainType,
 		constructor: F,
 		boot_nodes: Vec<MultiaddrWithPeerId>,
 		telemetry_endpoints: Option<TelemetryEndpoints>,
@@ -229,6 +228,7 @@ impl<G, E> ChainSpec<G, E> {
 		let client_spec = ClientSpec {
 			name: name.to_owned(),
 			id: id.to_owned(),
+			chain_type,
 			boot_nodes,
 			telemetry_endpoints,
 			protocol_id: protocol_id.map(str::to_owned),
@@ -243,6 +243,11 @@ impl<G, E> ChainSpec<G, E> {
 			genesis: GenesisSource::Factory(Arc::new(constructor)),
 		}
 	}
+
+	/// Type of the chain.
+	fn chain_type(&self) -> ChainType {
+		self.client_spec.chain_type.clone()
+	}
 }
 
 impl<G, E: serde::de::DeserializeOwned> ChainSpec<G, E> {
@@ -332,6 +337,10 @@ where
 		ChainSpec::id(self)
 	}
 
+	fn chain_type(&self) -> ChainType {
+		ChainSpec::chain_type(self)
+	}
+
 	fn telemetry_endpoints(&self) -> &Option<TelemetryEndpoints> {
 		ChainSpec::telemetry_endpoints(self)
 	}
@@ -392,6 +401,7 @@ mod tests {
 		).unwrap();
 
 		assert_eq!(spec1.as_json(false), spec2.as_json(false));
+		assert_eq!(spec2.chain_type(), ChainType::Live)
 	}
 
 	#[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
diff --git a/substrate/client/chain-spec/src/lib.rs b/substrate/client/chain-spec/src/lib.rs
index b7875fdbb4..de83e170e0 100644
--- a/substrate/client/chain-spec/src/lib.rs
+++ b/substrate/client/chain-spec/src/lib.rs
@@ -107,13 +107,13 @@
 //! pub type MyChainSpec<G> = GenericChainSpec<G, Extension>;
 //! ```
 
-
 mod chain_spec;
 mod extension;
 
-pub use chain_spec::{ChainSpec as GenericChainSpec, Properties, NoExtension};
+pub use chain_spec::{ChainSpec as GenericChainSpec, NoExtension};
 pub use extension::{Group, Fork, Forks, Extension, GetExtension, get_extension};
 pub use sc_chain_spec_derive::{ChainSpecExtension, ChainSpecGroup};
+pub use sp_chain_spec::{Properties, ChainType};
 
 use serde::{Serialize, de::DeserializeOwned};
 use sp_runtime::BuildStorage;
@@ -124,12 +124,14 @@ use sc_telemetry::TelemetryEndpoints;
 pub trait RuntimeGenesis: Serialize + DeserializeOwned + BuildStorage {}
 impl<T: Serialize + DeserializeOwned + BuildStorage> RuntimeGenesis for T {}
 
-/// Common interface to `GenericChainSpec`
+/// Common interface of a chain specification.
 pub trait ChainSpec: BuildStorage + Send {
 	/// Spec name.
 	fn name(&self) -> &str;
 	/// Spec id.
 	fn id(&self) -> &str;
+	/// Type of the chain.
+	fn chain_type(&self) -> ChainType;
 	/// A list of bootnode addresses.
 	fn boot_nodes(&self) -> &[MultiaddrWithPeerId];
 	/// Telemetry endpoints (if any)
diff --git a/substrate/client/rpc-api/Cargo.toml b/substrate/client/rpc-api/Cargo.toml
index c5043b5b07..10b4b1746e 100644
--- a/substrate/client/rpc-api/Cargo.toml
+++ b/substrate/client/rpc-api/Cargo.toml
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ parking_lot = "0.10.0"
 sp-core = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/core" }
 sp-version = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/version" }
 sp-runtime = { path = "../../primitives/runtime" , version = "2.0.0-alpha.5"}
+sp-chain-spec = { path = "../../primitives/chain-spec" , version = "2.0.0-alpha.5"}
 serde = { version = "1.0.101", features = ["derive"] }
 serde_json = "1.0.41"
 sp-transaction-pool = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/transaction-pool" }
diff --git a/substrate/client/rpc-api/src/system/helpers.rs b/substrate/client/rpc-api/src/system/helpers.rs
index 80718cf487..46461d6988 100644
--- a/substrate/client/rpc-api/src/system/helpers.rs
+++ b/substrate/client/rpc-api/src/system/helpers.rs
@@ -18,10 +18,7 @@
 
 use std::fmt;
 use serde::{Serialize, Deserialize};
-use serde_json::{Value, map::Map};
-
-/// Node properties
-pub type Properties = Map<String, Value>;
+use sp_chain_spec::{Properties, ChainType};
 
 /// Running node's static details.
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
@@ -34,6 +31,8 @@ pub struct SystemInfo {
 	pub chain_name: String,
 	/// A custom set of properties defined in the chain spec.
 	pub properties: Properties,
+	/// The type of this chain.
+	pub chain_type: ChainType,
 }
 
 /// Health struct returned by the RPC
diff --git a/substrate/client/rpc-api/src/system/mod.rs b/substrate/client/rpc-api/src/system/mod.rs
index f12a11e0b3..25f147b694 100644
--- a/substrate/client/rpc-api/src/system/mod.rs
+++ b/substrate/client/rpc-api/src/system/mod.rs
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ use futures::{future::BoxFuture, compat::Compat};
 
 use self::error::Result as SystemResult;
 
-pub use self::helpers::{Properties, SystemInfo, Health, PeerInfo, NodeRole};
+pub use self::helpers::{SystemInfo, Health, PeerInfo, NodeRole};
 pub use self::gen_client::Client as SystemClient;
 
 /// Substrate system RPC API
@@ -39,13 +39,17 @@ pub trait SystemApi<Hash, Number> {
 	#[rpc(name = "system_version")]
 	fn system_version(&self) -> SystemResult<String>;
 
-	/// Get the chain's type. Given as a string identifier.
+	/// Get the chain's name. Given as a string identifier.
 	#[rpc(name = "system_chain")]
 	fn system_chain(&self) -> SystemResult<String>;
 
+	/// Get the chain's type.
+	#[rpc(name = "system_chainType")]
+	fn system_type(&self) -> SystemResult<sp_chain_spec::ChainType>;
+
 	/// Get a custom set of properties as a JSON object, defined in the chain spec.
 	#[rpc(name = "system_properties")]
-	fn system_properties(&self) -> SystemResult<Properties>;
+	fn system_properties(&self) -> SystemResult<sp_chain_spec::Properties>;
 
 	/// Return health status of the node.
 	///
diff --git a/substrate/client/rpc/Cargo.toml b/substrate/client/rpc/Cargo.toml
index 7092959b83..f852c452d7 100644
--- a/substrate/client/rpc/Cargo.toml
+++ b/substrate/client/rpc/Cargo.toml
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ sp-runtime = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/runtime" }
 sp-utils = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/utils" }
 sp-rpc = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/rpc" }
 sp-state-machine = { version = "0.8.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/state-machine" }
+sp-chain-spec = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../../primitives/chain-spec" }
 sc-executor = { version = "0.8.0-alpha.5", path = "../executor" }
 sc-block-builder = { version = "0.8.0-alpha.5", path = "../../client/block-builder" }
 sc-keystore = { version = "2.0.0-alpha.5", path = "../keystore" }
diff --git a/substrate/client/rpc/src/system/mod.rs b/substrate/client/rpc/src/system/mod.rs
index 9565992cf4..e18d4d09a1 100644
--- a/substrate/client/rpc/src/system/mod.rs
+++ b/substrate/client/rpc/src/system/mod.rs
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ use sp_runtime::traits::{self, Header as HeaderT};
 use self::error::Result;
 
 pub use sc_rpc_api::system::*;
-pub use self::helpers::{Properties, SystemInfo, Health, PeerInfo, NodeRole};
+pub use self::helpers::{SystemInfo, Health, PeerInfo, NodeRole};
 pub use self::gen_client::Client as SystemClient;
 
 /// System API implementation
@@ -82,7 +82,11 @@ impl<B: traits::Block> SystemApi<B::Hash, <B::Header as HeaderT>::Number> for Sy
 		Ok(self.info.chain_name.clone())
 	}
 
-	fn system_properties(&self) -> Result<Properties> {
+	fn system_type(&self) -> Result<sp_chain_spec::ChainType> {
+		Ok(self.info.chain_type.clone())
+	}
+
+	fn system_properties(&self) -> Result<sp_chain_spec::Properties> {
 		Ok(self.info.properties.clone())
 	}
 
diff --git a/substrate/client/rpc/src/system/tests.rs b/substrate/client/rpc/src/system/tests.rs
index d45894743c..f0331f50ed 100644
--- a/substrate/client/rpc/src/system/tests.rs
+++ b/substrate/client/rpc/src/system/tests.rs
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ fn api<T: Into<Option<Status>>>(sync: T) -> System<Block> {
 		impl_version: "0.2.0".into(),
 		chain_name: "testchain".into(),
 		properties: Default::default(),
+		chain_type: Default::default(),
 	}, tx)
 }
 
@@ -117,7 +118,7 @@ fn wait_receiver<T>(rx: Receiver<T>) -> T {
 fn system_name_works() {
 	assert_eq!(
 		api(None).system_name().unwrap(),
-		"testclient".to_owned()
+		"testclient".to_owned(),
 	);
 }
 
@@ -125,7 +126,7 @@ fn system_name_works() {
 fn system_version_works() {
 	assert_eq!(
 		api(None).system_version().unwrap(),
-		"0.2.0".to_owned()
+		"0.2.0".to_owned(),
 	);
 }
 
@@ -133,7 +134,7 @@ fn system_version_works() {
 fn system_chain_works() {
 	assert_eq!(
 		api(None).system_chain().unwrap(),
-		"testchain".to_owned()
+		"testchain".to_owned(),
 	);
 }
 
@@ -141,7 +142,15 @@ fn system_chain_works() {
 fn system_properties_works() {
 	assert_eq!(
 		api(None).system_properties().unwrap(),
-		serde_json::map::Map::new()
+		serde_json::map::Map::new(),
+	);
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn system_type_works() {
+	assert_eq!(
+		api(None).system_type().unwrap(),
+		Default::default(),
 	);
 }
 
diff --git a/substrate/client/service/src/builder.rs b/substrate/client/service/src/builder.rs
index 0586a61a89..0eefbe730f 100644
--- a/substrate/client/service/src/builder.rs
+++ b/substrate/client/service/src/builder.rs
@@ -1016,6 +1016,7 @@ ServiceBuilder<
 				impl_name: config.impl_name.into(),
 				impl_version: config.impl_version.into(),
 				properties: chain_spec.properties().clone(),
+				chain_type: chain_spec.chain_type().clone(),
 			};
 
 			let subscriptions = sc_rpc::Subscriptions::new(Arc::new(tasks_builder.spawn_handle()));
diff --git a/substrate/client/service/src/lib.rs b/substrate/client/service/src/lib.rs
index 16b1d0d718..d5db64ea46 100644
--- a/substrate/client/service/src/lib.rs
+++ b/substrate/client/service/src/lib.rs
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ pub use self::builder::{
 pub use config::{Configuration, Role, PruningMode, DatabaseConfig};
 pub use sc_chain_spec::{
 	ChainSpec, GenericChainSpec, Properties, RuntimeGenesis, Extension as ChainSpecExtension,
-	NoExtension,
+	NoExtension, ChainType,
 };
 pub use sp_transaction_pool::{TransactionPool, InPoolTransaction, error::IntoPoolError};
 pub use sc_transaction_pool::txpool::Options as TransactionPoolOptions;
diff --git a/substrate/primitives/chain-spec/Cargo.toml b/substrate/primitives/chain-spec/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..62d64bf614
--- /dev/null
+++ b/substrate/primitives/chain-spec/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+[package]
+name = "sp-chain-spec"
+version = "2.0.0-alpha.5"
+authors = ["Parity Technologies <admin@parity.io>"]
+edition = "2018"
+license = "GPL-3.0"
+homepage = "https://substrate.dev"
+repository = "https://github.com/paritytech/substrate/"
+description = "Substrate chain configurations types."
+
+[dependencies]
+serde = { version = "1.0.101", features = ["derive"] }
+serde_json = "1.0.41"
diff --git a/substrate/primitives/chain-spec/src/lib.rs b/substrate/primitives/chain-spec/src/lib.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..13ebc09b6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/substrate/primitives/chain-spec/src/lib.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+// Copyright 2020 Parity Technologies (UK) Ltd.
+// This file is part of Substrate.
+
+// Substrate is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+
+// Substrate is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with Substrate.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+//! Types and traits related to chain specifications.
+
+/// The type of a chain.
+///
+/// This can be used by tools to determine the type of a chain for displaying
+/// additional information or enabling additional features.
+#[derive(serde::Serialize, serde::Deserialize, Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
+pub enum ChainType {
+	/// A development chain that runs mainly on one node.
+	Development,
+	/// A local chain that runs locally on multiple nodes for testing purposes.
+	Local,
+	/// A live chain.
+	Live,
+	/// Some custom chain type.
+	Custom(String),
+}
+
+impl Default for ChainType {
+	fn default() -> Self {
+		Self::Live
+	}
+}
+
+/// Arbitrary properties defined in chain spec as a JSON object
+pub type Properties = serde_json::map::Map<String, serde_json::Value>;