---
title: Token Testing
description: Test with SPL tokens using @solana-program/token and LiteSVM
---
Testing token logic on Solana means setting up mints, token accounts, and
authorities before you can test the transfer logic you actually care about. The
`tokenProgram()` plugin from `@solana-program/token` collapses that setup to a
few method calls — and handles ATA creation automatically.
## Installation
```bash
pnpm add @solana/kit @solana/kit-plugin-litesvm @solana/kit-plugin-signer @solana-program/token
```
```bash
npm install @solana/kit @solana/kit-plugin-litesvm @solana/kit-plugin-signer @solana-program/token
```
```bash
yarn add @solana/kit @solana/kit-plugin-litesvm @solana/kit-plugin-signer @solana-program/token
```
```bash
bun add @solana/kit @solana/kit-plugin-litesvm @solana/kit-plugin-signer @solana-program/token
```
## Create a Mint
```typescript
import { createClient, generateKeyPairSigner, lamports } from "@solana/kit";
import { litesvm } from "@solana/kit-plugin-litesvm";
import { signer } from "@solana/kit-plugin-signer";
import { tokenProgram } from "@solana-program/token";
const mySigner = await generateKeyPairSigner();
const client = createClient()
.use(signer(mySigner))
.use(litesvm())
.use(tokenProgram());
client.svm.airdrop(client.payer.address, lamports(10_000_000_000n));
const mintAuthority = await generateKeyPairSigner();
const newMint = await generateKeyPairSigner();
await client.token.instructions
.createMint({
newMint,
decimals: 9,
mintAuthority: mintAuthority.address
})
.sendTransaction();
// Verify
const mintAccount = await client.token.accounts.mint.fetch(newMint.address);
console.log(mintAccount.data.supply); // 0n
console.log(mintAccount.data.decimals); // 9
```
## Mint Tokens
`mintToATA` issues tokens to an owner's Associated Token Account. If the ATA
doesn't exist, it's created in the same transaction.
```typescript
await client.token.instructions
.mintToATA({
mint: newMint.address,
owner: client.payer.address,
mintAuthority,
amount: 1_000_000_000_000n, // 1000 tokens (9 decimals)
decimals: 9
})
.sendTransaction();
```
The `decimals` parameter is a safety check — it must match the mint's decimals
exactly, or the Token program rejects the transaction with error `0x24`. This
prevents accidentally minting 1000x too many tokens.
## Transfer Tokens
`transferToATA` moves tokens between users. The recipient's ATA is created
automatically if needed.
```typescript
const alice = await generateKeyPairSigner();
const bob = await generateKeyPairSigner();
// Mint to Alice
await client.token.instructions
.mintToATA({
mint: newMint.address,
owner: alice.address,
mintAuthority,
amount: 1_000_000_000_000n,
decimals: 9
})
.sendTransaction();
// Transfer 400 tokens from Alice to Bob
await client.token.instructions
.transferToATA({
mint: newMint.address,
authority: alice,
recipient: bob.address,
amount: 400_000_000_000n,
decimals: 9
})
.sendTransaction();
```
The `authority` is the signer who owns the source tokens. The plugin derives
both source and destination ATAs from their addresses + the mint.
## Verifying Balances
To read back token balances, derive the ATA address with
`findAssociatedTokenPda` and fetch the decoded account:
```typescript
import {
findAssociatedTokenPda,
TOKEN_PROGRAM_ADDRESS
} from "@solana-program/token";
const [aliceAta] = await findAssociatedTokenPda({
owner: alice.address,
mint: newMint.address,
tokenProgram: TOKEN_PROGRAM_ADDRESS
});
const aliceAccount = await client.token.accounts.token.fetch(aliceAta);
console.log(aliceAccount.data.amount); // 600_000_000_000n
console.log(aliceAccount.data.mint); // newMint.address
console.log(aliceAccount.data.owner); // alice.address
```
## Decimals
Token amounts are always in raw units. 1000 tokens with 9 decimals is
`1_000_000_000_000n`, not `1000n`.
```typescript
// USDC has 6 decimals
const oneUSDC = 10n ** 6n; // 1_000_000n
// SOL has 9 decimals
const oneSOL = 10n ** 9n; // 1_000_000_000n
```
Always use `BigInt` for token amounts. JavaScript's `Number` loses precision
above 2^53.
## Plugin Reference
| Method | Description |
| ------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| `client.token.instructions.createMint()` | Create a new SPL token mint |
| `client.token.instructions.mintToATA()` | Mint tokens to an owner's ATA (creates ATA if needed) |
| `client.token.instructions.transferToATA()` | Transfer tokens to a recipient's ATA (creates ATA if needed) |
| `client.token.accounts.mint.fetch()` | Fetch and decode a mint account |
| `client.token.accounts.token.fetch()` | Fetch and decode a token account |
## Common Errors
| Error | Cause | Fix |
| ---------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| `custom program error: 0x24` | `decimals` doesn't match the mint | Use the same decimals value you passed to `createMint` |
| `AccountNotFound` | Account doesn't exist yet | Ensure mint is created before minting |
| `InsufficientFunds` | Not enough lamports for rent | Airdrop more SOL to the payer |
| `OwnerMismatch` | Wrong program owns the account | Check program ID |