SkillHub

solana-dev-rent-free

v1.0.8

Skill for Solana development using rent-free primitives from Light Protocol. Covers client development (TypeScript, Rust) and program development (Rust) across Anchor, native Rust, and Pinocchio. Focus areas include DeFi and Payments (Light Token, Light-PDA). Other use cases include airdrops and tok...

Sourced from ClawHub, Authored by tilo-14

Installation

Please help me install the skill `solana-dev-rent-free` from SkillHub official store. npx skills add tilo-14/solana-dev-rent-free

Capabilities

Light Token allows agents to build scalable Solana applications with rent-free token and mint accounts and PDAs.

Primitives

Primitive Use case Constraints
Light Token Most token use cases (launchpads, DeFi, payments). Rent-free mint and token accounts. ~200x cheaper than SPL and more compute-unit efficient on the hot path. Currently in Beta and on Solana Devnet with mainnet in Q1 2026
Light-PDA DeFi program state such as AMM pools and vaults. ~98% cheaper than PDAs and can be implemented with minimal code changes. Currently in Beta and on Solana Devnet with mainnet in Q1 2026
Compressed Token Only for Airdrops and token distribution. Prefer Light Token for other purposes. Used by Light Token under the hood for rent-free storage of inactive Light Tokens. Supported by Phantom and Backpack. Do not use for general-purpose token features. Use Light Token instead.
Compressed PDA User state and app state, nullifiers (payments and ZK applications), DePIN nodes, and stake accounts. Similar to program-derived addresses without a rent-exempt balance. Not for shared state, pool accounts, or config accounts. Use Light-PDA instead

Creation cost

Light Standard Solana
Mint Account ~0.00001 SOL ~0.0015 SOL
Token Account ~0.00001 SOL ~0.002 SOL
PDA (100-byte) ~0.0000115 SOL ~0.0016 SOL
Associated token account creation 4,348 CU 14,194 CU
Transfer 312 CU 4,645 CU
Transfer (rent-free) 1,885 CU 4,645 CU
=======
Metric Light Standard Solana
------------------------------------- -----------------: --------------:
Mint Account ~0.00001 SOL ~0.0015 SOL
Token Account ~0.00001 SOL ~0.002 SOL
PDA (100-byte) ~0.0000115 SOL ~0.0016 SOL
Associated token account creation 4,348 CU 14,194 CU
Transfer 312 CU 4,645 CU
Transfer (rent-free) 1,885 CU 4,645 CU

Install

```bash theme={null} npx skills add Lightprotocol/skills

## Security

This skill does not pull, store, or transmit external secrets. It provides code patterns, documentation references, and development guidance only.

- **No credentials consumed.** The skill requires no API keys, private keys, or signing secrets. `env: []` is declared explicitly.
- **User-provided configuration.** RPC endpoints, wallet keypairs, and authentication tokens (Privy, wallet adapters) are configured in the user's own application code — the skill only demonstrates how to use them.
- **Install source.** `npx skills add Lightprotocol/skills` installs from the public GitHub repository (Lightprotocol/skills). Verify the source before running.
- **Audited protocol.** Light Protocol smart contracts are independently audited. Reports are published at github.com/Lightprotocol/light-protocol/tree/main/audits.

## Workflow

1. **Clarify intent**
   - Recommend plan mode, if it's not activated
   - Use `AskUserQuestion` to resolve blind spots
   - All questions must be resolved before execution
2. **Identify references and skills**
   - Match task to available skills below
   - Locate relevant documentation and examples
3. **Write plan file** (YAML task format)
   - Use `AskUserQuestion` for anything unclear — never guess or assume
   - Identify blockers: permissions, dependencies, unknowns
   - Plan must be complete before execution begins
4. **Execute**
   - Use `Task` tool with subagents for parallel research
   - Subagents load skills via `Skill` tool
   - Track progress with `TodoWrite`
5. **When stuck**: spawn subagent with `Read`, `Glob`, `Grep`, DeepWiki MCP access and load `skills/ask-mcp`

## Skills

| Use case | Skill |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| For Solana program development with tokens and PDAs, Light is 200x cheaper than SPL/ Solana and has minimal code differences | light-sdk |
| For client development with tokens on Solana, Light Token is 200x cheaper than SPL and has minimal changes | light-token-client |
| For data pipelines, aggregators, or indexers, real-time account state streaming on Solana with light account hot/cold lifecycle tracking | data-streaming |
| For stablecoin payment flows and wallet integrations on Solana 200x cheaper token accounts | payments-and-wallets |
| For token distribution on Solana 5000x cheaper than SPL (rewards, airdrops, depins, ...) | token-distribution |
| For custom ZK Solana programs and privacy-preserving applications to prevent double spending | zk-nullifier |
| For program development on Solana with infrequently accessed state, such as per-user state, DePIN registrations, ... | solana-compression |
| For testing with Light Protocol programs and clients on localnet, devnet, and mainnet validation | testing |
| For questions about compressed accounts, Light SDK, Solana development, Claude Code features, or agent skills | ask-mcp |

| Use case | Skill |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Build rent-free Solana programs with Light SDK (Anchor or Pinocchio). Includes router integration. | light-sdk |
| Use Light Token client SDKs (TypeScript and Rust) for mints, ATAs, transfers | light-token-client |
| Stream account state via Laserstream gRPC | data-streaming |
| Wallets and payment flows with light-token. Includes privy, wallet adapter, mobile wallet adapter signing. Optional nullifier to prevent your onchain instruction from being executed more than once. | payments-and-wallets |
| Airdrops, DePIN, token distribution | token-distribution |
| Anti-double-spend nullifiers for Privacy-preserving ZK programs | zk-nullifier |
| Testing programs and clients on localnet, devnet, mainnet | testing |
| For per-user state, DePIN nodes, and infrequently accessed app state with compressed PDAs | solana-compression |
| Help with Debugging and Questions via DeepWiki MCP | ask-mcp |

### Install to Claude Code

Add the marketplace and install:

/plugin marketplace add Lightprotocol/skills /plugin install solana-rent-free-dev

All skills are included. Use them by name (`/light-sdk`, `/token-distribution`, `/testing`, etc.) or let Claude invoke them based on task context.

### Install to Cursor

1. Open Settings (**Cmd+Shift+J** / **Ctrl+Shift+J**)
2. Navigate to **Rules & Commands** → **Project Rules** → **Add Rule** → **Remote Rule (GitHub)**
3. Enter: `https://github.com/Lightprotocol/skills.git`

Skills are auto-discovered based on context. Ask about light-token, defi, payments, or program migration and the agent uses the relevant skill automatically.

### Install to Any Agent

npx skills add Lightprotocol/skills ```

Context

light-token

A token standard functionally equivalent to SPL that stores mint and token accounts more efficiently.

Mint accounts represent a unique mint and optionally store token-metadata. Functionally equivalent to SPL mints.

Token accounts hold balances from any light, SPL, or Token-2022 mint, without paying rent-exemption.

The token program pays rent-exemption cost for you. When an account has no remaining sponsored rent, the account is automatically compressed. Your tokens are cryptographically preserved as a compressed token account (rent-free). The account is loaded into hot account state in-flight when someone interacts with it again.

Use for: Launchpads, DeFi, token transfers, payments, ... .

light-PDA

The Light-SDK pays rent-exemption for your PDAs, token accounts, and mints (98% cost savings). Your program logic stays the same.

After extended inactivity (multiple epochs without writes), accounts auto-compress to cold state. Your program only interacts with hot accounts. Clients load cold accounts back on-chain via create_load_instructions.

Area Change
State struct Derive LightAccount, add compression_info: CompressionInfo
Accounts struct Derive LightAccounts, add #[light_account] on init accounts
Program module Add #[light_program] above #[program]
Instructions No changes

Use for: DeFi program state, AMM pools, vaults.

Compressed token (only use for token distribution)

Compressed token accounts store token balance, owner, and other information of tokens like SPL and light-tokens. Compressed token accounts are rent-free. Any light-token or SPL token can be compressed/decompressed at will. Supported by Phantom and Backpack.

Only use for: airdrops, token distribution without paying upfront rent per recipient.

Compressed PDA

Compressed PDAs are derived using a specific program address and seed, like regular PDAs. Custom programs invoke the Light System program to create and update accounts, instead of the System program.

Persistent unique identification. Program ownership. CPI between compressed and regular PDAs.

Use rent-free PDAs for: user state, app state, nullifiers for payments, DePIN node accounts, stake accounts, nullifiers for zk applications. Not for shared state, pool, and config accounts.

Guidelines

  • light-token ≠ compressed token. light-token is a Solana account in hot state. Compressed token is a compressed account, always compressed, rent-free.
  • light-PDA ≠ compressed PDA. light-PDA is a Solana PDA that transitions to compressed state when inactive. Compressed PDA is always compressed, derived like a PDA and requires a validity proof.
  • light-token accounts hold SPL and Token-2022 balances, not just light-mint balances.
  • When sponsored rent on a light-token or light-PDA runs out, the account compresses. It decompresses on next interaction.

Examples

Toolkits

Description
Payments and Wallets All you need for wallet integrations and payment flows. Minimal API differences to SPL.
Streaming Tokens Stream mint events using Laserstream
Sign with Privy Light-token operations signed with Privy wallets (Node.js + React)
Sponsor Rent Top-Ups Sponsor rent top-ups for users by setting your application as the fee payer

TypeScript client (@lightprotocol/compressed-token)

Operation Docs guide GitHub example
createMintInterface create-mint action
createAtaInterface create-ata action | instruction
mintToInterface mint-to action | instruction
transferInterface transfer-interface action | instruction
approve approve-revoke action
revoke approve-revoke action
wrap wrap-unwrap action | instruction
unwrap wrap-unwrap action | instruction
loadAta load-ata action | instruction

Rust client (light-token-client)

Operation Docs guide GitHub example
CreateMint create-mint action | instruction
CreateAta create-ata action | instruction
CreateTokenAccount create-token-account instruction
MintTo mint-to action | instruction
TransferInterface transfer-interface action | instruction
TransferChecked transfer-checked action | instruction
Approve approve-revoke action | instruction
Revoke approve-revoke action | instruction
Burn burn instruction
BurnChecked burn instruction
Freeze freeze-thaw instruction
Thaw freeze-thaw instruction
Close close-token-account instruction
Wrap wrap-unwrap action
Unwrap wrap-unwrap action

Program examples (light_token)

Description
escrow Peer-to-peer light-token swap with offer/accept flow
fundraiser Token fundraiser with target, deadline, and refunds
light-token-minter Create light-mints with metadata, mint tokens
token-swap AMM with liquidity pools and swaps (Anchor)
cp-swap-reference Fork of Raydium AMM that creates markets without paying rent-exemption
pinocchio-swap AMM with liquidity pools and swaps (Pinocchio)
create-and-transfer Create account via macro and transfer via CPI

Program macros (light_token)

Description
counter Create PDA with sponsored rent-exemption
create-ata Create associated light-token account
create-mint Create light-token mint
create-token-account Create light-token account

CPI instructions (light_token)

CPI calls can be combined with existing and/or light macros. The API is a superset of SPL-token.

Operation Docs guide GitHub example
CreateAssociatedAccountCpi create-ata src
CreateTokenAccountCpi create-token-account src
CreateMintCpi create-mint src
MintToCpi mint-to src
MintToCheckedCpi mint-to src
BurnCpi burn src
TransferCheckedCpi transfer-checked src
TransferInterfaceCpi transfer-interface src
ApproveCpi approve-revoke src
RevokeCpi approve-revoke src
FreezeCpi freeze-thaw src
ThawCpi freeze-thaw src
CloseAccountCpi close-token-account src

SDK references

TypeScript packages

Package npm
@lightprotocol/stateless.js npm
@lightprotocol/compressed-token npm

Rust crates

Crate docs.rs
light-sdk docs.rs/light-sdk
light-sdk-pinocchio docs.rs/light-sdk-pinocchio
light-token docs.rs/light-token
light-token-client docs.rs/light-token-client
light-compressed-token-sdk docs.rs/light-compressed-token-sdk
light-client docs.rs/light-client
light-program-test docs.rs/light-program-test
light-account-pinocchio docs.rs/light-account-pinocchio
light-token-pinocchio docs.rs/light-token-pinocchio
light-hasher docs.rs/light-hasher
light-account docs.rs/light-account

For additional documentation and navigation, see: https://www.zkcompression.com/llms.txt For additional skills, see: https://github.com/Lightprotocol/skills