Metaplex Development Skill
Overview
Metaplex provides the standard infrastructure for NFTs and tokens on Solana:
- Core: Next-gen NFT standard (recommended for new NFT projects)
- Token Metadata: Fungible tokens + legacy NFTs/pNFTs
- Bubblegum: Compressed NFTs (cNFTs) using Merkle trees — massive scale at minimal cost
- Candy Machine: NFT drops with configurable minting rules
- Genesis: Token launch protocol with fair distribution + liquidity graduation
Tool Selection
Prefer CLI over SDK for direct execution. Use SDK only when user specifically needs code.
| Approach |
When to Use |
CLI (mplx) |
Default choice - direct execution, no code needed |
| Umi SDK |
User needs code — default SDK choice. Covers all programs (TM, Core, Bubblegum, Genesis) |
| Kit SDK |
User specifically uses @solana/kit, or asks for minimal dependencies. Token Metadata only — no Core/Bubblegum/Genesis support |
Task Router
IMPORTANT: You MUST read the detail file for your task BEFORE executing any command or writing any code. The command syntax, required flags, setup steps, and batching rules are ONLY in the detail files. Do NOT guess commands from memory.
| Task Type |
Read This File |
| Any CLI operation (shared setup) |
./references/cli.md |
| CLI: Core NFTs/Collections |
./references/cli.md + ./references/cli-core.md + ./references/metadata-json.md |
| CLI: Token Metadata NFTs |
./references/cli.md + ./references/cli-token-metadata.md + ./references/metadata-json.md |
| CLI: Compressed NFTs (Bubblegum) |
./references/cli.md + ./references/cli-bubblegum.md + ./references/metadata-json.md |
| CLI: Candy Machine (NFT drops) |
./references/cli.md + ./references/cli-candy-machine.md + ./references/metadata-json.md |
| CLI: Token launch (Genesis) |
./references/cli.md + ./references/cli-genesis.md |
| CLI: Fungible tokens |
./references/cli.md (toolbox section) |
| SDK setup (Umi) |
./references/sdk-umi.md |
| SDK: Core NFTs |
./references/sdk-umi.md + ./references/sdk-core.md + ./references/metadata-json.md |
| SDK: Token Metadata |
./references/sdk-umi.md + ./references/sdk-token-metadata.md + ./references/metadata-json.md |
| SDK: Compressed NFTs (Bubblegum) |
./references/sdk-umi.md + ./references/sdk-bubblegum.md + ./references/metadata-json.md |
| SDK: Token Metadata with Kit |
./references/sdk-token-metadata-kit.md + ./references/metadata-json.md |
| SDK: Token launch (Genesis) |
./references/sdk-umi.md + ./references/sdk-genesis.md |
| Off-chain metadata JSON format/schema (NFT or token) |
./references/metadata-json.md |
| Account structures, PDAs, concepts |
./references/concepts.md |
CLI Capabilities
The mplx CLI can handle most Metaplex operations directly. Read ./references/cli.md for shared setup, then the program-specific file.
CLI v0.1.0 breaking changes (for agents/scripts migrating from older versions):
--json <file> (used to pass an offchain metadata file path) is now --offchain <file>. --json is now the standard OCLIF flag for machine-readable output.- All commands now return structured JSON when
--json is passed — use this for programmatic/agent use.
| Task |
CLI Support |
| Create fungible token |
✅ |
| Create Core NFT/Collection |
✅ |
| Create TM NFT/pNFT |
✅ |
| Transfer TM NFTs |
✅ |
| Transfer fungible tokens |
✅ |
| Transfer Core NFTs |
✅ |
| Upload to Irys |
✅ |
| Candy Machine drop |
✅ (setup/config/insert — minting requires SDK) |
| Compressed NFTs (cNFTs) |
✅ (batch limit ~100, use SDK for larger) |
| Check SOL balance / Airdrop |
✅ |
| Query assets by owner/collection |
❌ SDK only (DAS API) |
| Token launch (Genesis) |
✅ |
Program IDs
Token Metadata: metaqbxxUerdq28cj1RbAWkYQm3ybzjb6a8bt518x1s
Core: CoREENxT6tW1HoK8ypY1SxRMZTcVPm7R94rH4PZNhX7d
Bubblegum V1: BGUMAp9SX3uS4efGcFjPjkAQZ4cUNZhtHaMq64nrGf9D
Bubblegum V2: BGUMAp9Gq7iTEuizy4pqaxsTyUCBK68MDfK752saRPUY
Core Candy: CMACYFENjoBMHzapRXyo1JZkVS6EtaDDzkjMrmQLvr4J
Genesis: GNS1S5J5AspKXgpjz6SvKL66kPaKWAhaGRhCqPRxii2B
Quick Decision Guide
NFTs: Core vs Token Metadata
| Choose |
When |
| Core |
New NFT projects, lower cost (87% cheaper), plugins, royalty enforcement |
| Token Metadata |
Existing TM collections, need editions, pNFTs for legacy compatibility |
Compressed NFTs (Massive Scale)
Use Bubblegum when minting thousands+ of NFTs at minimal cost. See ./references/cli-bubblegum.md (CLI) or ./references/sdk-bubblegum.md (SDK).
Fungible Tokens
Always use Token Metadata. Read ./references/cli.md (toolbox section) for CLI commands.
NFT Drops
Use Core Candy Machine. Read ./references/cli.md + ./references/cli-candy-machine.md.
Token Launches (Token Generation Event / Fair Launch / Memecoin)
Use Genesis. The Launch API (genesis launch create / createAndRegisterLaunch) is recommended — it handles everything in one step. Two launch types:
project (default): Configurable allocations, 48h deposit, team vesting supportmemecoin: Simplified, 1h deposit, hardcoded fund flows — only needs name, symbol, image, and deposit start time
Read ./references/cli.md + ./references/cli-genesis.md (CLI) or ./references/sdk-genesis.md (SDK).
External Resources
1---2name: metaplex3description: Metaplex development on Solana — NFTs, tokens, compressed NFTs, candy machines, token launches. Use when working with Token Metadata, Core, Bubblegum, Candy Machine, Genesis, or the mplx CLI.4license: Apache-2.05---67# Metaplex Development Skill89## Overview1011Metaplex provides the standard infrastructure for NFTs and tokens on Solana:12- **Core**: Next-gen NFT standard (recommended for new NFT projects)13- **Token Metadata**: Fungible tokens + legacy NFTs/pNFTs14- **Bubblegum**: Compressed NFTs (cNFTs) using Merkle trees — massive scale at minimal cost15- **Candy Machine**: NFT drops with configurable minting rules16- **Genesis**: Token launch protocol with fair distribution + liquidity graduation1718## Tool Selection1920> **Prefer CLI over SDK** for direct execution. Use SDK only when user specifically needs code.2122| Approach | When to Use |23|----------|-------------|24| **CLI (`mplx`)** | Default choice - direct execution, no code needed |25| **Umi SDK** | User needs code — default SDK choice. Covers all programs (TM, Core, Bubblegum, Genesis) |26| **Kit SDK** | User specifically uses @solana/kit, or asks for minimal dependencies. Token Metadata only — no Core/Bubblegum/Genesis support |2728## Task Router2930> **IMPORTANT**: You MUST read the detail file for your task BEFORE executing any command or writing any code. The command syntax, required flags, setup steps, and batching rules are ONLY in the detail files. Do NOT guess commands from memory.3132| Task Type | Read This File |33|-----------|----------------|34| Any CLI operation (shared setup) | `./references/cli.md` |35| CLI: Core NFTs/Collections | `./references/cli.md` + `./references/cli-core.md` + `./references/metadata-json.md` |36| CLI: Token Metadata NFTs | `./references/cli.md` + `./references/cli-token-metadata.md` + `./references/metadata-json.md` |37| CLI: Compressed NFTs (Bubblegum) | `./references/cli.md` + `./references/cli-bubblegum.md` + `./references/metadata-json.md` |38| CLI: Candy Machine (NFT drops) | `./references/cli.md` + `./references/cli-candy-machine.md` + `./references/metadata-json.md` |39| CLI: Token launch (Genesis) | `./references/cli.md` + `./references/cli-genesis.md` |40| CLI: Fungible tokens | `./references/cli.md` (toolbox section) |41| SDK setup (Umi) | `./references/sdk-umi.md` |42| SDK: Core NFTs | `./references/sdk-umi.md` + `./references/sdk-core.md` + `./references/metadata-json.md` |43| SDK: Token Metadata | `./references/sdk-umi.md` + `./references/sdk-token-metadata.md` + `./references/metadata-json.md` |44| SDK: Compressed NFTs (Bubblegum) | `./references/sdk-umi.md` + `./references/sdk-bubblegum.md` + `./references/metadata-json.md` |45| SDK: Token Metadata with Kit | `./references/sdk-token-metadata-kit.md` + `./references/metadata-json.md` |46| SDK: Token launch (Genesis) | `./references/sdk-umi.md` + `./references/sdk-genesis.md` |47| Off-chain metadata JSON format/schema (NFT or token) | `./references/metadata-json.md` |48| Account structures, PDAs, concepts | `./references/concepts.md` |4950## CLI Capabilities5152The `mplx` CLI can handle most Metaplex operations directly. **Read `./references/cli.md` for shared setup, then the program-specific file.**5354> **CLI v0.1.0 breaking changes** (for agents/scripts migrating from older versions):55> - `--json <file>` (used to pass an offchain metadata file path) is now `--offchain <file>`. `--json` is now the standard OCLIF flag for machine-readable output.56> - All commands now return structured JSON when `--json` is passed — use this for programmatic/agent use.5758| Task | CLI Support |59|------|-------------|60| Create fungible token | ✅ |61| Create Core NFT/Collection | ✅ |62| Create TM NFT/pNFT | ✅ |63| Transfer TM NFTs | ✅ |64| Transfer fungible tokens | ✅ |65| Transfer Core NFTs | ✅ |66| Upload to Irys | ✅ |67| Candy Machine drop | ✅ (setup/config/insert — minting requires SDK) |68| Compressed NFTs (cNFTs) | ✅ (batch limit ~100, use SDK for larger) |69| Check SOL balance / Airdrop | ✅ |70| Query assets by owner/collection | ❌ SDK only (DAS API) |71| Token launch (Genesis) | ✅ |7273## Program IDs7475```76Token Metadata: metaqbxxUerdq28cj1RbAWkYQm3ybzjb6a8bt518x1s77Core: CoREENxT6tW1HoK8ypY1SxRMZTcVPm7R94rH4PZNhX7d78Bubblegum V1: BGUMAp9SX3uS4efGcFjPjkAQZ4cUNZhtHaMq64nrGf9D79Bubblegum V2: BGUMAp9Gq7iTEuizy4pqaxsTyUCBK68MDfK752saRPUY80Core Candy: CMACYFENjoBMHzapRXyo1JZkVS6EtaDDzkjMrmQLvr4J81Genesis: GNS1S5J5AspKXgpjz6SvKL66kPaKWAhaGRhCqPRxii2B82```8384## Quick Decision Guide8586### NFTs: Core vs Token Metadata8788| Choose | When |89|--------|------|90| **Core** | New NFT projects, lower cost (87% cheaper), plugins, royalty enforcement |91| **Token Metadata** | Existing TM collections, need editions, pNFTs for legacy compatibility |9293### Compressed NFTs (Massive Scale)9495Use **Bubblegum** when minting thousands+ of NFTs at minimal cost. See `./references/cli-bubblegum.md` (CLI) or `./references/sdk-bubblegum.md` (SDK).9697### Fungible Tokens9899Always use **Token Metadata**. Read `./references/cli.md` (toolbox section) for CLI commands.100101### NFT Drops102103Use **Core Candy Machine**. Read `./references/cli.md` + `./references/cli-candy-machine.md`.104105### Token Launches (Token Generation Event / Fair Launch / Memecoin)106107Use **Genesis**. The **Launch API** (`genesis launch create` / `createAndRegisterLaunch`) is recommended — it handles everything in one step. Two launch types:108- **`project`** (default): Configurable allocations, 48h deposit, team vesting support109- **`memecoin`**: Simplified, 1h deposit, hardcoded fund flows — only needs name, symbol, image, and deposit start time110111Read `./references/cli.md` + `./references/cli-genesis.md` (CLI) or `./references/sdk-genesis.md` (SDK).112113## External Resources114115- Documentation: https://metaplex.com/docs116- Core: https://metaplex.com/docs/smart-contracts/core117- Token Metadata: https://metaplex.com/docs/smart-contracts/token-metadata118- Bubblegum: https://metaplex.com/docs/smart-contracts/bubblegum-v2119- Candy Machine: https://metaplex.com/docs/smart-contracts/core-candy-machine120- Genesis: https://metaplex.com/docs/smart-contracts/genesis
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