Solana Token Development

Description

Guides creation and management of tokens on Solana using SPL Token, Token-2022 (Token Extensions), and Metaplex metadata standards.

When to Use

• Creating fungible or non-fungible tokens
• Working with SPL Token or Token-2022 programs
• Implementing token extensions (transfer hooks, transfer fees, metadata, etc.)
• Managing token accounts, minting, burning, transferring
• Adding metadata to tokens (Metaplex)
• Building token-gated applications

Instructions

Deciding Token Standard

1. SPL Token (Original) — Simple fungible/NFT tokens. Widely supported.
2. Token-2022 (Token Extensions) — Modern standard with built-in extensions:
   • Transfer Fees, Transfer Hooks, Confidential Transfers
   • Metadata (on-chain, no Metaplex needed), Metadata Pointer
   • Group/Member Pointers, Permanent Delegate
   • Non-Transferable (Soulbound), Close Authority
3. Metaplex Metadata — Rich metadata for NFTs and fungible tokens (works with both token programs)

Key Decision:

• New tokens in 2025+: Prefer Token-2022 unless you need maximum ecosystem compatibility
• NFTs with rich metadata: Token-2022 + embedded metadata or SPL Token + Metaplex
• DeFi tokens: SPL Token still has broadest DeFi protocol support

Reference Files

• spl-token.md — SPL Token operations
• token-2022.md — Token Extensions
• token-metadata.md — Metaplex metadata

Common Patterns

Create Mint (Anchor)

#[account(
    init,
    payer = authority,
    mint::decimals = 9,
    mint::authority = authority,
    mint::freeze_authority = authority,
)]
pub mint: Account<'info, Mint>,

Mint Tokens (Anchor)

use anchor_spl::token::{mint_to, MintTo};

mint_to(
    CpiContext::new(
        ctx.accounts.token_program.to_account_info(),
        MintTo {
            mint: ctx.accounts.mint.to_account_info(),
            to: ctx.accounts.token_account.to_account_info(),
            authority: ctx.accounts.authority.to_account_info(),
        },
    ),
    amount,
)?;

Transfer Tokens (Anchor)

use anchor_spl::token::{transfer, Transfer};

transfer(
    CpiContext::new(
        ctx.accounts.token_program.to_account_info(),
        Transfer {
            from: ctx.accounts.from_ata.to_account_info(),
            to: ctx.accounts.to_ata.to_account_info(),
            authority: ctx.accounts.authority.to_account_info(),
        },
    ),
    amount,
)?;