Solana Dev

Solana Development Skill (framework-kit-first)

What this Skill is for

Use this Skill when the user asks for:

• Solana dApp UI work (React / Next.js)
• Wallet connection + signing flows
• Transaction building / sending / confirmation UX
• On-chain program development (Anchor or Pinocchio)
• Client SDK generation (typed program clients)
• Local testing (LiteSVM, Mollusk, Surfpool)
• Security hardening and audit-style reviews
• Backend services (indexers, APIs, RPC integration)
• Deployment workflows (devnet → mainnet)

Default stack decisions (opinionated)

1) UI: framework-kit first

• Use @solana/client + @solana/react-hooks
• Prefer Wallet Standard discovery/connect via the framework-kit client
• Use create-solana-dapp for new projects

2) SDK: @solana/kit first

• Prefer Kit types (Address, Signer, transaction message APIs, codecs)
• Prefer @solana-program/* instruction builders over hand-rolled instruction data
• Use BigInt for u64/u128 values

3) Legacy compatibility: web3.js only at boundaries

• If you must integrate a library that expects web3.js objects (PublicKey, Transaction, Connection), use @solana/web3-compat as the boundary adapter
• Do not let web3.js types leak across the entire app; contain them to adapter modules
• See kit-web3-interop.md for adapter patterns

4) Programs

• Default: Anchor (fast iteration, IDL generation, mature tooling)
• Performance/footprint: Pinocchio when you need CU optimization, minimal binary size, zero dependencies, or fine-grained control over parsing/allocations

5) Testing

• Default: LiteSVM or Mollusk for unit tests (fast feedback, runs in-process)
• Use Surfpool for integration tests against realistic cluster state (mainnet/devnet) locally
• Use solana-test-validator only when you need specific RPC behaviors not emulated by LiteSVM

6) Backend

• Framework: Axum 0.8+ with Tokio 1.40+
• Critical: Use spawn_blocking for Solana RPC calls (they block!)
• Database: sqlx with compile-time checked queries
• Caching: Redis for RPC response caching

Operating procedure (how to execute tasks)

1. Classify the task layer

• UI/wallet/hook layer
• Client SDK/scripts layer
• Program layer (+ IDL)
• Testing/CI layer
• Backend (indexer/API)
• Infra (RPC/deployment)

2. Pick the right building blocks

3. Implement with Solana-specific correctness

Always be explicit about:

• Cluster + RPC endpoints + websocket endpoints
• Fee payer + recent blockhash
• Compute budget + prioritization (where relevant)
• Expected account owners + signers + writability
• Token program variant (SPL Token vs Token-2022) and any extensions

4. Add tests

• Unit test: LiteSVM or Mollusk
• Integration test: Surfpool
• For "wallet UX", add mocked hook/provider tests where appropriate
• Profile CU usage during development

5. Deliverables expectations

When implementing changes, provide:

• Exact files changed + diffs (or patch-style output)
• Commands to install/build/test
• A short "risk notes" section for anything touching signing/fees/CPIs/token transfers

Progressive disclosure (read when needed)

Frontend & Client

• frontend-framework-kit.md - React hooks, wallet connection, React Query, error handling, performance patterns
• kit-web3-interop.md - Kit ↔ web3.js boundary patterns, Anchor adapter examples
• idl-codegen.md - Codama/Shank client generation

Programs (also check security.md)

• programs-anchor.md - Anchor patterns, testing pyramid, IDL generation, deployment
• programs-pinocchio.md - Zero-copy, CU optimization, TryFrom validation

Testing & Security

• testing.md - LiteSVM, Mollusk, Surfpool, CI guidance
• security.md - Vulnerability categories, program + client checklists

Backend & Deployment

• backend-async.md - Axum 0.8/Tokio patterns, spawn_blocking, RPC integration, Redis caching
• deployment.md - Devnet/mainnet workflows, verifiable builds, multisig, CI/CD

Ecosystem & Reference

• ecosystem.md - Token standards, DeFi protocols, NFT infrastructure, data indexing
• payments.md - Commerce Kit, Kora (gasless), payment UX
• resources.md - Official documentation links

Unity & Game Development

• unity.md - Solana.Unity-SDK, wallet integration, NFT loading, transaction building in C#
• playsolana.md - PlaySolana ecosystem, PSG1 console, PlayDex, PlayID, SvalGuard

Task routing guide