Solana Development Skill for Claude Code

A comprehensive Claude Code skill for modern Solana development (January 2026 best practices).

Overview

This skill provides Claude Code with deep knowledge of the current Solana development ecosystem:

UI: Solana Foundation framework-kit (@solana/client + @solana/react-hooks)
SDK: @solana/kit (v5.x) for new client work
Legacy Interop: @solana/web3-compat for bridging to web3.js dependencies
Programs: Anchor (default), Pinocchio for high-performance needs
Testing: LiteSVM/Mollusk for unit tests, Surfpool for integration
Codegen: Codama-first IDL and client generation
Security: Comprehensive vulnerability patterns and prevention
Toolchain: Version compatibility, common errors, and troubleshooting guides

Installation

Quick Install

npx skills add https://github.com/solana-foundation/solana-dev-skill

Manual Install

git clone https://github.com/solana-foundation/solana-dev-skill
cd solana-dev-skill
./install.sh

Skill Structure

skill/
├── SKILL.md                         # Main skill definition (required)
└── references/
    ├── frontend-framework-kit.md    # UI patterns with framework-kit
    ├── kit-web3-interop.md          # Kit ↔ web3.js boundary patterns
    ├── testing.md                   # Testing (LiteSVM/Mollusk/Surfpool)
    ├── idl-codegen.md               # IDL and client generation
    ├── payments.md                  # Payments with Commerce Kit
    ├── security.md                  # Security vulnerabilities & prevention
    ├── resources.md                 # Curated reference links
    ├── compatibility-matrix.md      # Version compatibility tables (Anchor/Solana/Rust/GLIBC)
    ├── common-errors.md             # Error message → solution mappings
    ├── confidential-transfers.md    # Confidential transfers (Token-2022 ZK)
    ├── programs/
    │   ├── anchor.md                # Anchor program development
    │   └── pinocchio.md             # Pinocchio (high-performance native)
    └── surfpool/
        ├── overview.md              # Surfpool local network guide
        └── cheatcodes.md            # Surfpool cheatcodes reference

Usage

Once installed, Claude Code will automatically use this skill when you ask about:

Solana dApp UI work (React / Next.js)
Wallet connection and signing flows
Transaction building, sending, and 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
Surfpool local network setup and cheatcodes
Toolchain issues (version mismatches, GLIBC errors, dependency conflicts)
Migration between Anchor/Solana CLI versions

Example Prompts

"Help me set up a Next.js app with Solana wallet connection"
"Create an Anchor program for a simple escrow"
"Convert this Anchor program to Pinocchio for better CU efficiency"
"How do I integrate a legacy web3.js library with my Kit-based app?"
"Write LiteSVM tests for my token transfer instruction"
"Review this program for security issues"
"I'm getting GLIBC_2.39 not found when running anchor"
"Help me upgrade from Anchor 0.30 to 0.31"
"What versions of Solana CLI work with Anchor 0.31?"
"Run Surfpool and create an account with 100 SOL and USDC"

Stack Decisions

This skill encodes opinionated best practices:

| Layer | Default Choice | Alternative | |-------|---------------|-------------| | UI Framework | framework-kit | ConnectorKit (headless) | | Client SDK | @solana/kit | @solana/web3-compat (boundary) | | Program Framework | Anchor | Pinocchio (performance) | | Unit Testing | LiteSVM / Mollusk | - | | Integration Testing | Surfpool | solana-test-validator | | Client Generation | Codama | Kinobi (Umi) |

Content Sources

This skill incorporates best practices from:

Blueshift Learning Platform - Comprehensive Solana courses
Solana Official Documentation
Anza/Pinocchio - Zero-dependency program development
LiteSVM - Lightweight testing
Surfpool - Integration testing with mainnet state

Progressive Disclosure

The skill uses Claude Code's progressive disclosure pattern. The main SKILL.md provides core guidance, and Claude reads the specialized markdown files only when needed for specific tasks.