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
• Confidential transfers (Token-2022 ZK extension)
• Toolchain setup, version mismatches, GLIBC errors, dependency conflicts
• Upgrading Anchor/Solana CLI versions, migration between versions

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.

2. SDK: @solana/kit first

• Prefer Kit types (Address, Signer, transaction message APIs, codecs).
• Prefer @solana-program/* instruction builders over hand-rolled instruction data.

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.

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.

Operating procedure (how to execute tasks)

When solving a Solana task:

1. Classify the task layer

• UI/wallet/hook layer
• Client SDK/scripts layer
• Program layer (+ IDL)
• Testing/CI layer
• Infra (RPC/indexing/monitoring)

2. Pick the right building blocks

• UI: framework-kit patterns.
• Scripts/backends: @solana/kit directly.
• Legacy library present: introduce a web3-compat adapter boundary.
• High-performance programs: Pinocchio over Anchor.

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.

5. Deliverables expectations

When you implement 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)

• UI + wallet + hooks: frontend-framework-kit.md
• Kit ↔ web3.js boundary: kit-web3-interop.md
• Anchor programs: programs-anchor.md
• Pinocchio programs: programs-pinocchio.md
• Testing strategy: testing.md
• IDLs + codegen: idl-codegen.md
• Payments: payments.md
• Confidential transfers: confidential-transfers.md
• Security checklist: security.md
• Reference links: resources.md
• Version compatibility: compatibility-matrix.md
• Common errors & fixes: common-errors.md