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.

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 support
memecoin: 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

Documentation: https://metaplex.com/docs
Core: https://metaplex.com/docs/smart-contracts/core
Token Metadata: https://metaplex.com/docs/smart-contracts/token-metadata
Bubblegum: https://metaplex.com/docs/smart-contracts/bubblegum-v2
Candy Machine: https://metaplex.com/docs/smart-contracts/core-candy-machine
Genesis: https://metaplex.com/docs/smart-contracts/genesis

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