How to Create a Compressed NFT on Solana

In the rapidly evolving world of digital assets, NFT development has emerged as a groundbreaking way to represent ownership and authenticity of unique items on the blockchain. Among the myriad of platforms for blockchain app development with NFTs, Solana stands out for its high speed and low transaction costs. But what if we could make these digital collectibles even more efficient? Enter compressed NFTs—an innovative approach that leverages Solana's capabilities to create more scalable and cost-effective NFTs. In this guide, explore how to create compressed NFTs on Solana, unlocking new possibilities for artists, collectors, and businesses alike.

Also, Check | How to Setup and Run a Solana RPC Node

Creating a Compressed NFT on Solana

What You Will Need:

Prior experience with Solana NFTs
Node.js (version 16.15 or higher)
Proficiency in TypeScript
Access to a QuickNode endpoint with a DAS Add-on installed

Dependencies:

- @metaplex-foundation/digital-asset-standard-api

- @metaplex-foundation/umi

- @metaplex-foundation/umi-bundle-defaults

- @metaplex-foundation/mpl-bubblegum

- @metaplex-foundation/mpl-token-metadata

- @solana/spl-account-compression

- @solana/spl-token

- @solana/web3.js

Key Concepts:

- Hashing: Converting data into fixed-size strings

- Merkle Trees: Efficient storage and verification of extensive datasets

Steps: 1.) Create a Merkel tree

const maxDepthSizePair: ValidDepthSizePair = { maxDepth: 14, maxBufferSize: 64, }; 
const canopyDepth = maxDepthSizePair.maxDepth - 5; const payer = Keypair.generate(); 
const treeKeypair = Keypair.generate(); 
const tree = await createTree(connection, payer, treeKeypair, maxDepthSizePair, canopyDepth); 
async function createTree( connection: Connection, payer: Keypair, treeKeypair: Keypair, maxDepthSizePair: ValidDepthSizePair, canopyDepth: number = 0, ) { 
	// derive the tree's authority (PDA), owned by Bubblegum 
	const [treeAuthority, _bump] = PublicKey.findProgramAddressSync( [treeKeypair.publicKey.toBuffer()], BUBBLEGUM_PROGRAM_ID, ); // allocate the tree's account on chain with the space 
	
	// NOTE: this will compute the space needed to store the tree on chain (and the lamports required to store it) 
	const allocTreeIx = await createAllocTreeIx( connection, treeKeypair.publicKey, payer.publicKey, maxDepthSizePair, canopyDepth, ); // create the instruction to actually create the tree 
	
	const createTreeIx = createCreateTreeInstruction( 
	{ payer: payer.publicKey, treeCreator: payer.publicKey, treeAuthority, merkleTree: treeKeypair.publicKey, compressionProgram: SPL_ACCOUNT_COMPRESSION_PROGRAM_ID, logWrapper: SPL_NOOP_PROGRAM_ID, }, 
	{ maxBufferSize: maxDepthSizePair.maxBufferSize, maxDepth: maxDepthSizePair.maxDepth, public: false, }, 
	BUBBLEGUM_PROGRAM_ID, ); 
	
	try { 
	 	// create and send the transaction to initialize the tree 
	 	const tx = new Transaction().add(allocTreeIx).add(createTreeIx); 
	 	tx.feePayer = payer.publicKey; // send the transaction 
	 	await sendAndConfirmTransaction( connection, tx, // ensuring the treeKeypair PDA and the payer are BOTH signers 
	 	[treeKeypair, payer], { 
	 		commitment: "confirmed", skipPreflight: true, 
	 	}, ); 
	 	console.log("\nMerkle tree created successfully!"); 
	 	return { treeAuthority, treeAddress: treeKeypair.publicKey }; 
	 } catch (err: any) { 
	 	console.error("\nFailed to create merkle tree:", err); throw err; 
	 } 
}

2.) Create collection

// Define the metadata to be used for creating the NFT collection 
const collectionMetadataV3: CreateMetadataAccountArgsV3 = { // ...The usual metadata of an NFT }; 
const collection = await createCollection(connection, payer, collectionMetadataV3);
async function createCollection( connection: Connection, payer: Keypair, metadataV3: CreateMetadataAccountArgsV3, ) { 
	const mint = await createMint( connection, payer, payer.publicKey, payer.publicKey, 0, ); 
	
	const tokenAccount = await createAccount( connection, payer, mint, payer.publicKey, ); 
	
	await mintTo( connection, payer, mint, tokenAccount, payer, 1, [], undefined, TOKEN_PROGRAM_ID, ); 
	
	const [metadataAccount, _bump] = PublicKey.findProgramAddressSync( [Buffer.from("metadata"), TOKEN_METADATA_PROGRAM_ID.toBuffer(), mint.toBuffer()], TOKEN_METADATA_PROGRAM_ID, ); 
				   	 
	const createMetadataIx = createCreateMetadataAccountV3Instruction( 
		{ metadata: metadataAccount, mint: mint, mintAuthority: payer.publicKey, payer: payer.publicKey, updateAuthority: payer.publicKey, }, 
		{ createMetadataAccountArgsV3: metadataV3, }, 
	); 
	
	const [masterEditionAccount, _bump2] = PublicKey.findProgramAddressSync( [ Buffer.from("metadata"), TOKEN_METADATA_PROGRAM_ID.toBuffer(), mint.toBuffer(), Buffer.from("edition"), 		
	], TOKEN_METADATA_PROGRAM_ID, ); 
	
	const createMasterEditionIx = createCreateMasterEditionV3Instruction( 
		{ edition: masterEditionAccount, mint: mint, mintAuthority: payer.publicKey, payer: payer.publicKey, updateAuthority: payer.publicKey, metadata: metadataAccount, }, 
		{ createMasterEditionArgs: { maxSupply: 0, }, }, 
	); 
	const collectionSizeIX = createSetCollectionSizeInstruction( 
		{ collectionMetadata: metadataAccount, collectionAuthority: payer.publicKey, collectionMint: mint, }, 
		{ setCollectionSizeArgs: { size: 10000 }, }, 
	); 
	try { 
		const tx = new Transaction() .add(createMetadataIx) .add(createMasterEditionIx) .add(collectionSizeIX); 
		tx.feePayer = payer.publicKey; 
		await sendAndConfirmTransaction(connection, tx, [payer], { 
			commitment: "confirmed", skipPreflight: true, }); 
		} catch (err) { 
			console.error("\nFailed to create collection:", err); 
			throw err; 
		} return { mint, tokenAccount, metadataAccount, masterEditionAccount };
	}

3.) Mint Compressed NFTs into the collection.

const compressedNFTMetadata: MetadataArgs = { // The usual NFT Metadata }; 
const receiver = Keypair.generate(); 
await mintCompressedNFT( connection, payer, treeKeypair.publicKey, collection.mint, collection.metadataAccount, collection.masterEditionAccount, compressedNFTMetadata, receiver.publicKey, ); 
async function mintCompressedNFT( connection: Connection, payer: Keypair, treeAddress: PublicKey, collectionMint: PublicKey, collectionMetadata: PublicKey, collectionMasterEditionAccount: PublicKey, compressedNFTMetadata: MetadataArgs, receiverAddress: PublicKey, ) { 
	const treeAuthority = PublicKey.findProgramAddressSync( [treeAddress.toBuffer()], BUBBLEGUM_PROGRAM_ID, )[0];
	const bubblegumSigner = PublicKey.findProgramAddressSync( [Buffer.from("collection_cpi")], BUBBLEGUM_PROGRAM_ID, )[0]; 
	const metadataArgs = Object.assign(compressedNFTMetadata, { collection: { key: collectionMint, verified: false }, }); 
	const mintIx: TransactionInstruction = createMintToCollectionV1Instruction( 
		{ payer: payer.publicKey, merkleTree: treeAddress, treeAuthority, treeDelegate: payer.publicKey, leafOwner: receiverAddress, leafDelegate: receiverAddress, 	 
		collectionAuthority: payer.publicKey, collectionAuthorityRecordPda: BUBBLEGUM_PROGRAM_ID, collectionMint: collectionMint, collectionMetadata: collectionMetadata, 
		editionAccount: collectionMasterEditionAccount, compressionProgram: SPL_ACCOUNT_COMPRESSION_PROGRAM_ID, logWrapper: SPL_NOOP_PROGRAM_ID, bubblegumSigner: bubblegumSigner, 
		tokenMetadataProgram: TOKEN_METADATA_PROGRAM_ID, }, { metadataArgs, }, ); 
	
	try { 
		const tx = new Transaction().add(mintIx); 
		tx.feePayer = payer.publicKey; 
		const txSignature = await sendAndConfirmTransaction(connection, tx, [payer], { commitment: "confirmed", skipPreflight: true, }); 
		return txSignature; 
	} catch (err) { 
		console.error("\nFailed to mint compressed NFT:", err); 
		throw err; 
	} 
}

Execution: -

Check Costs:

Evaluate the expenses associated with initializing a Merkle Tree for a specific number of compressed NFTs.

Create Merkle Tree:

Generate the Merkle Tree and configure its parameters.

Create collection:

Mint NFTs into a collection.

Conclusion

This blog guide demonstrates the successful minting and retrieving of compressed NFTs on Solana using Merkle trees, optimizing storage and verification processes. Connect with our blockchain developers today if you have similar projects in mind.

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