Reference: An SPL Token Launch

Token launches combine SPL Token program mechanics, Metaplex metadata, and operational security around mint authority. This reference covers a fixed-supply utility token - not a securities legal guide - with engineering checkpoints auditors expect.

Recipe

Quick-reference recipe card - copy-paste ready.

# Solana CLI 3.0.10 + spl-token CLI flow (simplified)
spl-token create-token --decimals 9
spl-token create-account <MINT>
spl-token mint <MINT> <AMOUNT> -- <RECIPIENT_ATA>
# After distribution: spl-token authorize <MINT> mint --disable

When to reach for this:

• Launching governance or utility token
• Teaching token ops to backend engineer
• Pre-launch checklist with legal/comms
• Contrasting Token-2022 extensions path

Working Example

import { createSolanaRpc } from "@solana/kit";
import {
  getCreateAccountInstruction,
  getInitializeMintInstruction,
} from "@solana-program/token";
 
const rpc = createSolanaRpc("https://api.devnet.solana.com");
const DECIMALS = 9;
const SUPPLY = 1_000_000_000n * 10n ** BigInt(DECIMALS);
 
// 1. Create mint account (rent-exempt)
// 2. Initialize mint with mint authority = deployer
// 3. Create metadata via Metaplex Token Metadata program
// 4. Mint full supply to treasury ATA
// 5. Airdrop/distribute per allocation spreadsheet
// 6. Revoke mint authority on-chain; verify in explorer

## Launch checklist (excerpt)
 
- [ ] Mint decimals = 9 (documented in spec)
- [ ] Metadata URI resolves (IPFS/Arweave hash pinned)
- [ ] Treasury multisig holds undistributed supply
- [ ] Mint authority revoked tx: <signature>
- [ ] Freeze authority policy documented (revoked or retained)
- [ ] Comms post includes mint address + cluster

What this demonstrates:

• Integer bigint supply math
• Metadata before announcement
• Authority revocation as visible on-chain proof

Deep Dive

Allocation Table

Metadata

• Name, symbol, URI on Metaplex Token Metadata
• Image hosted on durable storage (Arweave preferred for permanence)

Gotchas

• Float supply math - Off-by-one billion errors. Fix: bigint only.
• Mint authority left enabled - Infinite mint rug vector. Fix: Revoke tx in launch checklist.
• Wrong cluster announcement - Users import fake mint. Fix: Explorer link with ?cluster=mainnet-beta.
• Metadata URI 404 - Wallets show blank. Fix: HEAD request CI on URI before mint.
• Freeze authority surprise - Community trust issue. Fix: ADR on freeze policy pre-launch.

Alternatives

FAQs

Related

• SPL Token Basics - program fundamentals
• Reference: DeFi Program + dApp - pool share token
• Stakeholder Communication - launch comms

Stack versions: This page was written for Agave 4.1.1, Solana CLI 3.0.10, Anchor 0.32.1, anchor-lang 0.32.1, Rust 1.91.1, @solana/kit 7.0.0, Surfpool 0.12.0, and LiteSVM 0.6.x. 49454e4f4d5f434e4f5904434556494d434519121a56181a181c1a1d