Light Token payments

Build payment flows using light-token on Solana. The light-token API matches SPL-token and extends it to include the light token program.

Creation cost	SPL	light-token
Token Account	~2,000,000 lamports	~11,000 lamports

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 domain references 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: ask to spawn a read-only subagent with Read, Glob, Grep, and DeepWiki MCP access, loading skills/ask-mcp. Scope reads to skill references, example repos, and docs.

API overview

Operation	SPL	light-token (action / instruction)
Receive	getOrCreateAssociatedTokenAccount()	loadAta() / createLoadAtaInstructions()
Transfer	createTransferInstruction()	transferInterface() / createTransferInterfaceInstructions()
Get balance	getAccount()	getAtaInterface()
Tx history	getSignaturesForAddress()	rpc.getSignaturesForOwnerInterface()
Wrap from SPL	N/A	wrap() / createWrapInstruction()
Unwrap to SPL	N/A	unwrap() / createUnwrapInstructions()
Register SPL mint	N/A	createSplInterface() / LightTokenProgram.createSplInterface()
Create mint	createMint()	createMintInterface()

Plural functions (createTransferInterfaceInstructions, createUnwrapInstructions) return TransactionInstruction[][] — each inner array is one transaction. They handle loading cold accounts automatically.

Setup

npm install @lightprotocol/compressed-token@beta @lightprotocol/stateless.js@beta @solana/web3.js @solana/spl-token

import { createRpc } from "@lightprotocol/stateless.js";
import {
  createLoadAtaInstructions,
  loadAta,
  createTransferInterfaceInstructions,
  transferInterface,
  createUnwrapInstructions,
  unwrap,
  getAssociatedTokenAddressInterface,
  getAtaInterface,
  wrap,
} from "@lightprotocol/compressed-token/unified";

const rpc = createRpc(RPC_ENDPOINT);

Resources

Name	Description	Docs	Examples	Reference
Overview	Light Token APIs reduce account creation cost for stablecoin payment infrastructure by 99%.	overview
Basic payment	Send a single token transfer with comparison to SPL.	basic-payment	basic-send-action | basic-send-instruction	send-payments.md
Batch payments	Send payments to multiple recipients in a single transaction.	batch-payments	batch-send	send-payments.md
Payment with memo	Attach invoice IDs or payment references using Solana's memo program.	payment-with-memo	payment-with-memo	send-payments.md
Receive payments	Load cold accounts and share ATA address with the sender.	receive-payments	receive	receive-payments.md
Verify payments	Query token balances and transaction history.	verify-payments	get-balance | get-history	show-balance.md | transaction-history.md
Verify address	Verify recipient addresses before sending payments.	verify-recipient-address	verify-address	verify-address.md
Wrap and unwrap	Move tokens between SPL / Token 2022 and Light Token accounts.	wrap-unwrap	wrap | unwrap	wrap-from-spl.md | unwrap-to-spl.md
Register SPL mint	Register existing SPL mint for light-token interop.		register-spl-mint	register-spl-mint.md
Spend permissions	Delegate token spending with an amount cap. Approve, transfer as delegate, revoke.	spend-permissions	delegate-approve | delegate-transfer	spend-permissions.md
Nullifier PDAs	Create rent-free nullifier PDAs to prevent duplicate actions.	nullifier-pda		nullifiers.md
Production readiness	Checklist for deploying to production: RPC, error handling, security.	production-readiness		production-readiness.md
Wallet integration	Guide for Wallet Applications to add Light-token support.	wallets/overview
Sign with Privy	Integrate with Privy embedded wallets.	privy	sign-with-privy	sign-with-privy.md
Sign with Wallet Adapter	Integrate with Solana Wallet Adapter.	wallet-adapter	sign-with-wallet-adapter	sign-with-adapter.md
Gasless transactions	Abstract SOL fees. Sponsor top-ups and transaction fees.	gasless-transactions	gasless-transactions	gasless-transactions.md
SPL to Light comparison	Side-by-side API mapping.	Docs		spl-to-light.md
Token 2022 extensions	Supported Token 2022 extensions.	Docs	Examples	extensions/overview.md

SDK references

Package	Link
@lightprotocol/stateless.js	API docs
@lightprotocol/compressed-token	API docs
@lightprotocol/nullifier-program	npm

Security

The Privy signing examples transmit secrets to an external API — review sign-with-privy.md before running.

• Declared dependencies. HELIUS_RPC_URL is required for all examples. The Privy signing flow additionally requires PRIVY_APP_ID, PRIVY_APP_SECRET, TREASURY_WALLET_ID, and TREASURY_AUTHORIZATION_KEY — get these at privy.io. Load secrets from a secrets manager, not agent-global environment.
• Privy signing flow. PRIVY_APP_SECRET and TREASURY_AUTHORIZATION_KEY are sent to Privy's signing API. Verify these only reach Privy's official endpoints. See sign-with-privy.md.
• Subagent scope. When stuck, the skill asks to spawn a read-only subagent with Read, Glob, Grep scoped to skill references, example repos, and docs.
• Install source. npx skills add Lightprotocol/skills from Lightprotocol/skills.
• Audited protocol. Light Protocol smart contracts are independently audited. Reports are published at github.com/Lightprotocol/light-protocol/tree/main/audits.