Getting Started

Understand the Genesis token launch flow before building. This guide explains each step from initialization to distribution, helping you plan your launch.

The Genesis Flow

Every Genesis launch follows this lifecycle:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  1. INITIALIZE                                                   │
│     Create Genesis Account → Mint token → Hold supply in escrow │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                 ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  2. ADD BUCKETS                                                  │
│     Configure distribution (Launch Pool, Presale, Treasury)     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                 ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  3. FINALIZE                                                     │
│     Lock configuration → Activate time conditions               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                 ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  4. DEPOSIT PERIOD                                               │
│     Users deposit SOL based on bucket type                      │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                 ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  5. TRANSITION                                                   │
│     Execute end behaviors → Route funds to treasury             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                 ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  6. CLAIM PERIOD                                                 │
│     Users claim tokens → Team claims raised funds               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                 ↓
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  7. POST-LAUNCH (Optional)                                       │
│     Revoke mint/freeze authorities for security                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Step 1: Initialize

What happens: You create a Genesis Account which mints your token and holds the entire supply in escrow.

You provide:

• Token metadata (name, symbol, URI)
• Total supply (with decimals)
• Quote token (usually wSOL)

Result: A new SPL token exists, controlled by the Genesis Account until distribution.

Token Supply Planning

SPL tokens use 9 decimals by default:

Important: Your total supply must equal the sum of all bucket allocations.

Step 2: Add Buckets

What happens: You configure how tokens will be distributed by adding buckets.

Bucket Types

Example Configuration

A typical launch uses:

1. Inflow bucket (Launch Pool OR Presale) - Collects SOL from participants
2. Outflow bucket (Unlocked) - Receives collected SOL for team/treasury

Token Allocation Example (1 million tokens):
├── Launch Pool: 800,000 tokens (80%)
└── Unlocked:    200,000 tokens (20% team allocation)

Fund Flow:
Users deposit SOL → Launch Pool → End Behavior → Unlocked Bucket → Team claims

Time Conditions

Each bucket has four time conditions:

Use Unix timestamps (seconds, not milliseconds).

Step 3: Finalize

What happens: Configuration locks permanently. The launch activates based on time conditions.

Before vs After Finalization

Step 4: Deposit Period

What happens: Users deposit SOL into your inflow bucket(s).

• Launch Pool: Users deposit SOL, can withdraw with 2% fee
• Presale: Users deposit SOL at fixed price, up to a per-user deposit cap (maximum amount each user can contribute)

A 2% protocol fee applies to all deposits.

Step 5: Transition

What happens: After deposits close, execute end behaviors to route funds.

Common end behavior: Send 100% of collected SOL to the Unlocked bucket (treasury).

You can split funds across multiple destinations:

• 80% to treasury
• 20% to liquidity pool bucket

Step 6: Claim Period

What happens:

• Users claim tokens based on their deposit
• Team claims raised SOL from the Unlocked bucket

Token Distribution

Launch Pool: userTokens = (userDeposit / totalDeposits) × bucketAllocation

Presale: userTokens = userDeposit / pricePerToken

Step 7: Post-Launch (Optional)

What happens: Revoke token authorities for security.

• Mint authority - Revoke so no more tokens can ever be minted
• Freeze authority - Revoke so tokens can never be frozen

This signals to holders and rug checkers that the token supply is fixed.

Common Errors

Planning Checklist

Before you start building:

• [ ] Decide on launch mechanism (Launch Pool vs Presale)
• [ ] Calculate total token supply with decimals
• [ ] Plan bucket allocations (must sum to total supply)
• [ ] Set time windows (deposit start/end, claim start/end)
• [ ] Decide end behaviors (where do funds go?)
• [ ] Prepare token metadata (name, symbol, image URI)

FAQ

What does initializing a Genesis Account create?

It creates a new SPL token with metadata, a master coordination account (the Genesis Account PDA), and mints the total supply to be held in escrow for distribution.

Can I add more buckets after finalizing?

No. Finalization is permanent. You cannot add more buckets or change configurations. Plan your complete bucket structure before finalizing.

What's the difference between inflow and outflow buckets?

Inflow buckets collect SOL from users (Launch Pool, Presale). Outflow buckets receive tokens or SOL via end behaviors—typically an Unlocked Bucket for team/treasury claims.

When does the launch become active?

After finalization, the launch activates based on your bucket time conditions. Users can participate when the current time is within a bucket's deposit window.

How do I calculate token supply with decimals?

Multiply your desired supply by 10^decimals. For 1 million tokens with 9 decimals: 1,000,000 × 1,000,000,000 = 1,000,000,000,000,000.

Can I use a token other than SOL for deposits?

Yes. Set quoteMint to any SPL token. However, wSOL is standard for SOL-denominated launches.

Glossary

Next Steps

Ready to build? Choose your launch type:

1. JavaScript SDK - Install and configure
2. Launch Pool Tutorial - Proportional distribution
3. Presale Tutorial - Fixed-price sale