Solana Devnet: Everything You Need to Know

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

Building on Solana? You’ll need Devnet – a free sandbox where you can test, break things, and learn without risking real money.

What is Devnet?

Devnet is Solana’s free testing network. It behaves like the real Solana blockchain but uses fake SOL tokens with no monetary value. Think of it as a practice mode for developers.

Use cases

• Deploy and test smart contracts
• Build and debug dApps
• Test token transfers and swaps
• Experiment with Solana programs
• Learn Solana development risk‑free

Every serious Solana project starts on Devnet before going live on mainnet.

Solana Networks Overview

Bottom line: Use Devnet for app development. Use Testnet mainly for validator operators testing protocol upgrades.

Switching to Devnet

# Set Solana CLI to devnet
solana config set --url devnet

# Verify the connection
solana config get
# Expected output:
# RPC URL: https://api.devnet.solana.com

import { Connection, clusterApiUrl } from '@solana/web3.js';

const connection = new Connection(clusterApiUrl('devnet'), 'confirmed');

Phantom wallet setup

1. Open Phantom → Settings → Developer Settings
2. Enable Testnet Mode
3. Select Devnet

Your wallet address stays the same across networks, but balances are separate.

Getting Free Devnet SOL

Devnet transactions still require SOL for fees, but it’s free to obtain.

Quick method (CLI)

solana airdrop 2

Note: This may fail due to rate limits. If it does, use a web faucet.

Web faucet

1. Copy your wallet address.
2. Visit the Jumpbit Devnet Faucet (e.g., https://jumpbit.io/faucet).
3. Paste the address, select an amount (up to 5 SOL), and submit.
4. No signup required – SOL arrives in seconds.

Alternatively, use the official faucet:

• (connect GitHub for higher limits)

RPC Endpoints

Tip: The public endpoint can be rate‑limited during peak hours. Consider a private RPC for smoother development.

Explorers for Devnet

• Solana Explorer:
• Solscan:
• SolanaFM:

You can also add ?cluster=devnet to any Solana explorer URL.

Important Considerations

• Periodic resets: Devnet may reset occasionally, wiping all data.
• Rate limits: Airdrops and RPC calls have limits.
• Minor differences: Devnet may run slightly different software versions.
• No real value: Devnet SOL cannot be converted to mainnet SOL.
• Do not store important data: Devnet is for testing only.

When Not to Use Devnet

• Production apps: Real users need mainnet.
• Performance testing: Devnet speed differs from mainnet.
• Token launches: Devnet tokens have no value.
• Liquidity testing: No real DEXs or liquidity on Devnet.
• Validator testing: Use Testnet instead.

Rule of thumb: Devnet for development, mainnet for production.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is devnet SOL worth anything? No, it has no monetary value.
• Can I transfer devnet SOL to mainnet? No, they are separate ecosystems.
• How much devnet SOL can I get? Jumpbit offers up to 2 SOL per request (up to 5 SOL via the web faucet).
• Why is my airdrop failing? Likely due to rate limits; try the web faucet or wait before retrying.
• Should I test on devnet or mainnet? Use devnet for development and testing; switch to mainnet only when ready for production.

Getting Started Checklist

1. Connect to Devnet (CLI or SDK).
2. Obtain free SOL from Jumpbit Faucet or solana airdrop.
3. Build, test, iterate on your dApp or program.
4. Deploy to mainnet when ready.

Happy building!