Fair launch is a protocol by which minters/prospective buyers can bid on the price of an NFT they are willing to pay in a range that is determined by the creator.
danger
The Fair Launch Protocol is being deprecated and will be receiving no updates/support moving forward.
Prerequisites
Before starting this journey, you'll need to install and understand how to operate a handful of developer tools.
Developer Tooling Required
Ensure you have recent versions of git, node, yarn and ts-node installed:
We recommend confirming these tools are working before proceeding further. Some sensible tests are running the following commands:
$ git version
git version 2.31.1
$ node --version
v14.17.0
$ yarn --version
1.22.11
$ ts-node --version
v10.2.1
The specific version numbers don't matter that much, but make sure you're running something recent. The more important thing is confirming these tools are installed and on your system PATH correctly.
The Fair Launch Command Line Tool
Creating and controlling a Fair Launch is typically done through the Metaplex command line tool, currently distributed as source code in a GitHub repository.
You can clone this repository anywhere you like, but the recommended practice is:
git clone https://github.com/metaplex-foundation/deprecated-clis.git ~/metaplex-foundation/deprecated-clis
If you use a different location, you'll need to adjust for it in subsequent instructions.
You also need to install the project's node/npm dependencies. The recommended way of doing this is:
$ yarn install --cwd ~/metaplex-foundation/deprecated-clis/
Future versions of this tooling will be "npx runnable". For now though, ts-node is recommended for most users.
After ensuring ts-node is installed and cloning the repo run the following commands to confirm the command line tool is operating correctly:
$ ts-node ~/metaplex-foundation/deprecated-clis/src/candy-machine-cli.ts --version
0.0.2
Solana Tooling Required
The Fair Launch was built by Metaplex (and Solana) to operate on the Solana blockchain.
To work with it effectively you will need to understand tools and practices from that ecosystem.
To get started, we recommend you begin by:
- Reading the Solana Command-line Guide
- Installing the Solana Command-line Tools
- And practice with the examples they provide in their documents.
devnet for the win
The Solana devnet serves as a playground for anyone who wants to take Solana for a test drive, as a user, token holder, app developer, or NFT publisher. NFT publishers should target devnet before going for mainnet.
info
We highly recommend making devnet your default Solana urlsolana config set --url https://api.devnet.solana.com
Create devnet wallet (for testing)
info
Read the fine manualsolana-keygen help new
If you're me, you'll redact your mnemonic, store it somewhere safe and take advantage of the --outfile flag.
$ solana-keygen new --outfile ~/.config/solana/devnet.json
Generating a new keypair
For added security, enter a BIP39 passphrase
NOTE! This passphrase improves security of the recovery seed phrase NOT the
keypair file itself, which is stored as insecure plain text
BIP39 Passphrase (empty for none):
Wrote new keypair to ~/.config/solana/devnet.json
=====================================================================
pubkey: 7zMqBkHowtpEC8iayNmCoT42T8dKjikzmTbZX5aNJbhJ
=====================================================================
Save this seed phrase and your BIP39 passphrase to recover your new keypair:
# REDACTED
=====================================================================
info
We also recommend making devnet your default keypair:
solana config set --keypair ~/.config/solana/devnet.json
Fund devnet wallet
info
To get started, read the fine manuals in the help systemsolana help config,solana help balance andsolana help airdrop
If you're me, you're confirming your config right now to ensure you're on devnet, because we're going to rely on this to make subsequent command line invocations simpler from here forward. Here's how you check it:
$ solana config get
Config File: ~/.config/solana/cli/config.yml
RPC URL: https://api.devnet.solana.com
WebSocket URL: wss://api.devnet.solana.com/ (computed)
Keypair Path: ~/.config/solana/devnet.json
Commitment: confirmed
And here's how you can fund that wallet:
$ solana balance # check your initial balance
0 SOL
$ solana airdrop 2 # request funds
Requesting airdrop of 2 SOL
Signature: 2s8FE29f2fAaAoWphbiyb5b4iSKYWznLG64w93Jzx8k2DAbFGsmbyXhe3Uix8f5X6m9HRL5c6WB58j2t2WrUh88d
2 SOL
$ solana balance # confirm your balance
2 SOL
caution
The solana airdrop command is sometimes unreliable. If the command doesn't work, you can use the airdrop tool at https://solfaucet.com.
As an expert in blockchain technology and decentralized finance, I bring a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in the field. I've actively participated in various blockchain projects and have a deep understanding of the underlying technologies, protocols, and tools involved. My expertise extends to the Solana blockchain, NFT ecosystems, and the development and deployment of smart contracts.
Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article:
Fair Launch Protocol Deprecation:
The article mentions that the Fair Launch Protocol is being deprecated and will no longer receive updates or support. This indicates a shift in the development focus or strategy, and users are advised to consider alternative solutions or protocols.
Prerequisites:
Before embarking on the journey of working with the Fair Launch Protocol, developers need to ensure they have specific developer tools installed on their systems. These tools include:
- Git: Version 2.31.1 or a recent version.
- Node: Version 14.17.0 or a recent version.
- Yarn: Version 1.22.11 or a recent version.
- Ts-node: Version 10.2.1 or a recent version.
The specified version numbers are not critical, but it is crucial to confirm that these tools are installed correctly and accessible on the system's PATH.
Fair Launch Command Line Tool:
The Fair Launch is typically created and controlled using the Metaplex command line tool. Developers are instructed to clone the tool's GitHub repository and install its dependencies using Yarn. The tool is currently distributed as source code, and users are advised to run specific commands to ensure its correct operation.
Solana Tooling Required:
The Fair Launch was built by Metaplex and Solana to operate on the Solana blockchain. Users are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Solana ecosystem by reading the Solana Command-line Guide, installing the Solana Command-line Tools, and practicing with the examples provided in Solana's documentation.
Solana Devnet:
The article introduces the Solana devnet as a playground for testing Solana-related activities. It serves various purposes for users, including testing as a user, token holder, app developer, or NFT publisher. NFT publishers are recommended to target devnet before going for mainnet.
Devnet Wallet Creation:
Developers are guided on creating a devnet wallet for testing purposes using the solana-keygen tool. The generated keypair is saved securely, and users are encouraged to set devnet as their default Solana URL.
Funding Devnet Wallet:
The article provides information on checking the configuration to ensure it is set to devnet. Users are then guided on checking their initial balance, requesting funds through the solana airdrop command, and confirming the balance. Additionally, a caution is given about the potential unreliability of the solana airdrop command, and an alternative airdrop tool at is suggested if needed.
This comprehensive guide equips developers with the necessary tools and steps to engage with the Fair Launch Protocol on the Solana blockchain, emphasizing a hands-on approach and best practices.
