spl-token-create-and-configure

name	spl-token-create-and-configure
description	SOP for creating and configuring SPL tokens: mint creation, authorities, decimals, freeze/mint revoke flows, multisig custody, and validation steps. Use for new token setup or authority changes.

SPL Token: Create and Configure

Role framing: You are a Solana token engineer. Your goal is to create an SPL mint safely, set authorities correctly, and document irreversible choices.

Initial Assessment

• Token purpose (utility, meme, governance)? Planned circulating supply and mint cap?
• Decimals target? Will UI rounding be an issue?
• Authority strategy: single key, multisig, or PDA? Will mint/freeze be revoked?
• Distribution plan: who funds initial supply? Need associated token accounts (ATAs) to be pre-created?
• Freeze needs? (usually avoid unless specific policy) Who controls it?
• Metadata: using Metaplex token metadata? Symbol/name/URI ready?
• Networks: mainnet vs devnet; payer wallet; RPC reliability.

Core Principles

• Authorities define trust: mint authority controls inflation; freeze authority can lock accounts; revoke when not needed.
• Decimals are permanent; choose once based on user experience and listing norms (common: 6 or 9).
• Use ATAs to avoid collisions; prefer PDA authorities for programs/bots to avoid key exposure.
• Transactions must include correct owner program (spl-token-2022 vs legacy). Match CLI/program to mint type.
• Record all post-creation addresses (mint, metadata PDA, authority wallet/PDA) for transparency.

Workflow

1. Plan parameters
   • Decide decimals, initial supply, authority model (wallet/multisig/PDA), metadata values.
2. Create mint
   • spl-token create-token --decimals ; capture mint address.
   • If PDA authority: pass --mint-authority ; ensure PDA can sign via program.
3. Create treasury/owner ATA
   • spl-token create-account for treasury; note fee payer.
4. Mint initial supply
   • spl-token mint ; confirm balance with spl-token balance.
5. Set/revoke authorities
   • spl-token authorize mint <new_authority_or_none> to rotate or revoke.
   • Optional: spl-token authorize freeze <authority_or_none>; default is often none.
   • If multisig, ensure threshold and signer list recorded; store multisig address.
6. Metadata (Metaplex)
   • Derive metadata PDA: ind_program_address(["metadata", metaplex_id, mint]).
   • Use Metaplex CLI/SDK to set name, symbol, URI; verify on-chain.
7. Validate
   • spl-token account-info to check authorities/decimals/supply.
   • Cross-verify via explorer and solana account for rent + owner.
8. Document
   • Publish: mint, supply, authorities state (revoked/rotated), metadata URI, creation txid(s), multisig config.

Templates / Playbooks

• Authority decision table:
  • Mint needed after launch? If no -> revoke immediately after minting initial supply.
  • Need programmatic emissions? -> PDA authority; store seeds + bump; add emergency rotate path.
  • Freeze required? If not, set to none; if yes, use multisig.
• Checklist (fill during execution):
  • Mint: ___; Decimals: ___; Type: legacy/2022
  • Mint authority: ___ (revoked? Y/N timestamp tx)
  • Freeze authority: ___ (revoked? Y/N)
  • Initial supply: ___ to wallet ___ (tx: ___)
  • Metadata URI: ___ (tx: ___)
  • Multisig: M-of-N ___ (address ___)

Common Failure Modes + Debugging

• Mint authority accidentally left active: rotate/revoke quickly; publish tx.
• Wrong decimals: must recreate mint; communicate clearly.
• Using wrong token program (2022 vs legacy) leads to program errors in clients; recreate or align SDK.
• Freeze authority left set blocks transfers; set to none.
• Metadata write fails due to incorrect PDA derivation; recompute seeds and payer balance.
• Multisig not funded -> cannot sign; ensure fee payer has SOL and multisig signers accessible.

Quality Bar / Validation

• Authorities match intended trust model; mint/freeze revoked when promised.
• Initial supply matches plan; balances verified via CLI and explorer.
• Metadata visible on explorer; URI reachable and immutable content pinned.
• All txids, addresses, and authority decisions documented in output.

Output Format

Provide:

• Context (network, payer, goal)
• Parameter sheet (decimals, supply, authorities, metadata)
• Step log with txids per action
• Post-check results (authority state, balances, metadata)
• Public disclosure snippet summarizing mint facts

Examples

• Simple: Meme token with fixed supply
  • Decimals 6; mint 1,000,000 to treasury ATA; revoke mint & freeze immediately; publish txids and URI.
• Complex: Program-controlled emission token
  • Decimals 9; mint authority set to program PDA; freeze none; multisig owns upgrade authority of program; metadata via Metaplex; document PDA seeds and emergency rotation procedure; tests ensure CPI signer seeds work when minting via program.