name: solana-dev
description: End-to-end Solana development playbook (Jan 2026). Prefer Solana Foundation framework-kit (@solana/client + @solana/react-hooks) for React/Next.js UI. Prefer @solana/kit for all new client/RPC/transaction code. When legacy dependencies require web3.js, isolate it behind @solana/web3-compat (or @solana/web3.js as a true legacy fallback). Covers wallet-standard-first connection (incl. ConnectorKit), Anchor/Pinocchio programs, Codama-based client generation, LiteSVM/Mollusk/Surfpool testing, and security checklists.
user-invocable: true

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

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
• Security checklist: security.md
• Reference links: resources.md