Build dApps on Solana: Step by Step Guide.

Okay, before you even think about writing code, run this: npx create solana dapp my first dapp. Boom. You've got a full Solana dApp skeleton with Anchor for the backend, Next.js frontend, Tailwind styling, and wallet connection ready to go. Why does this work so well? Because Solana's ecosystem is fast-literally. Transactions finalize in 400ms, fees are like 0.000005 SOL. No more wasting hours on boilerplate.

I usually start here when I'm prototyping. Pick "counter" as your Anchor template, hit Next.js and Tailwind when it asks. cd my first dapp && npm install && npm run dev. Your app's live at localhost:3000. Connect Phantom wallet. Done. Sound familiar? It's like Ethereum but without the gas pain.

Why Solana? (Spoiler: Speed and Cheap AF)

Look, Ethereum's cool but transactions drag and cost a fortune sometimes. Solana? Thousands of TPS, block times under half a second, fees basically free. Building a DeFi app, NFT drop, or CRUD thing like a journal? Perfect.

The thing is, Solana programs (their smart contracts) run in Rust. Scary? Nah. Anchor framework makes it dummy proof. Handles all the account validation, serialization crap. In my experience, you cut dev time by half.

Real Numbers That Matter

Metric	Solana	Ethereum
Tx Speed	ms blocks	12s+ blocks
Fees	~0.000005 SOL	Variable, often $1-50
TPS	65,000 theoretical	~15-30

Why does this matter? Your users won't rage quit waiting for confirmations. Now, let's actually build something.

Your First Program: A Simple Journal CRUD App

We're making a dApp where users create, read, update, delete journal entries. All on chain. On Solana, data lives in accounts, not program storage. Anchor uses PDAs (Program Derived Addresses) to make 'em unique and secure.

First, install the basics if you haven't:

1. curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh (Rust)
2. sh -c "$(curl -sSfL https://release.solana.com/stable/install)" (Solana CLI)
3. cargo install --git https://github.com/coral xyz/anchor anchor cli --locked (Anchor)
4. solana keygen new (your wallet, save the phrase!)
5. solana config set --url devnet (use devnet for testing, free airdrops)
6. solana airdrop 2 (grab free SOL)

Now, in your my first dapp/anchor/programs/journal/src/lib.rs, wipe it and paste this starter:

use anchorlang::prelude::*; declareid!("YourProgramIDHere"); // Updates on build #[program]
pub mod journal { use super::*; pub fn createjournalentry(ctx: Context<CreateEntry>, title: String, message: String) -> Result<()> { let journalentry = &mut ctx.accounts.journalentry; journalentry.title = title; journalentry.message = message; journal_entry.owner = ctx.accounts.owner.(); Ok(()) } // Add update, read, delete later
} #[account]
pub struct JournalEntryState { pub title: String, pub message: String, pub owner: Pubkey,
} #[derive(Accounts)]
#[instruction(title: String)]
pub struct CreateEntry<'info> { #[account( initifneeded, seeds = [title.asbytes(), owner.().asref()], bump, payer = owner, space = 8 + 4 + 100 + 4 + 500 + 32 // Rough calc: discriminator + title len + title + msg len + msg + owner )] pub journalentry: Account<'info, JournalEntryState>, #[account(mut)] pub owner: Signer<'info>, pub systemprogram: Program<'info, System>,
}

Build it: anchor build. Deploy: anchor deploy. Grabs your program ID automatically. Test locally: anchor test. If it fails? Usually space miscalc. Use JournalEntryState::INITSPACE macro for auto calc.

Common gotcha: "Account not found"? Check seeds match. PDAs derive from seeds like [title.asbytes(), owner.pubkey] + bump. Super secure, only owner can touch.

Hook Up the Frontend - Wallet + Calls

• Generated dApp has wallet adapter ready. Phantom, Backpack, whatever.
• Open web/src/components/journal/journal data access.tsx.
• Add your program ID and IDL (auto generated post deploy).

Here's the create function - copy this vibe:

const createEntry = useMutation({ mutationFn: async ({ title, message, owner }) => { const [journalEntryPDA] = PublicKey.findProgramAddressSync( [Buffer.from(title), owner.toBuffer()], programId ); return program.methods .createJournalEntry(title, message) .accounts({ journal_entry: journalEntryPDA }) .rpc(); },
});

Now the UI component. Super simple form:

function JournalCreate() { // .. state hooks const handleSubmit = async () => { if (publicKey && title && message) { try { await createEntry.mutateAsync({ title, message, owner: publicKey }); // Refetch list } catch (e) { toast.error(Oops: ${e.message}); } } }; return ( <div className="p-4"> <input placeholder="Title" onChange={..} /> <textarea placeholder="Message" onChange={..} /> <button onClick={handleSubmit} disabled={!isValid}>Create</button> </div> );
}

For listing entries? Fetch all accounts with getProgramAccounts, filter by owner. Or use PDAs if you know seeds. Update/delete similar - just different instructions, same PDA seeds.

Pro tip: Use useQuery from TanStack for reactive data. No more stale UI. And wrap in ConnectionProvider for cluster switching (devnet/mainnet).

Testing Like a Pro - Don't Skip This

Local: anchor test. Hits your validator, deploys, runs unit tests. Fast.

Devnet: anchor deploy --provider.cluster devnet. Real chain, free SOL. Watch tx in Solana Explorer.

UI tests? npm run test or manually bash buttons. Simulate fails: Wrong seeds? "Invalid account". No SOL? "Insufficient funds" - airdrop more.

In my experience, 80% bugs are account constraints. Double check #[account] macros: mut, signer, seeds, space.

Deploy to Mainnet - Production Ready

1. solana config set --url mainnet beta
2. Fund wallet (buy SOL on exchange, transfer)
3. anchor deploy - costs ~0.1 SOL first time
4. Update frontend env: REACTAPPPROGRAMID=yourmainnet_id
5. npm run build && vercel deploy or whatever

Scaling? Solana handles it. But monitor with Helius or QuickNode RPCs - public ones throttle. Fees stay tiny, even at peak.

Tricky Bits and My Fixes

Issue 1: "Borsh serialization error". Fix: Exact space calc. Use 8 + JournalEntryState::INIT_SPACE.

Issue 2: Wallet not connecting. Check @solana/wallet adapter react versions match.

Issue 3: High traffic? Use Jito for bundles, avoid spam filters.

Security: Never trust inputs. Anchor validates, but audit PDAs. No reentrancy worries like ETH.

Compare Frameworks Quick

Tool	Pros	Cons
Anchor	Accounts auto, IDL gen, tests easy	Rust learning curve
Native Rust	Full control	Boilerplate hell
create solana dapp	10x faster start	Less customizable

Next Level: Real dApps I've Built

Once journal works, level up. DeFi? Add token swaps with SPL. NFTs? Metaplex for minting.

I built a staking dApp - PDAs for user stakes, CPI to Token program. Frontend: Real time balance queries via websockets.

Customization? Rust supports it all. Multi lang? JS for off chain, Rust on chain.

What's next for you? Tweak this journal - add likes, shares. Or npx a fresh one for your idea. Hit me up if stuck. You'll have a live dApp by tonight.

Oh,