Developer Tools

Bolt (ECS Framework)

An Entity Component System (ECS) framework by MagicBlock for building on-chain games on Solana. Bolt separates game data (Components stored in accounts) from logic (Systems as programs). This modular architecture enables composable, upgradeable game logic where different programs can operate on shared game state.

IDboltAliasBOLT ECS

Plain meaning

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An Entity Component System (ECS) framework by MagicBlock for building on-chain games on Solana. Bolt separates game data (Components stored in accounts) from logic (Systems as programs). This modular architecture enables composable, upgradeable game logic where different programs can operate on shared game state.

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Bolt (ECS Framework) (bolt)
Category: Developer Tools
Definition: An Entity Component System (ECS) framework by MagicBlock for building on-chain games on Solana. Bolt separates game data (Components stored in accounts) from logic (Systems as programs). This modular architecture enables composable, upgradeable game logic where different programs can operate on shared game state.
Aliases: BOLT ECS
Related: MagicBlock (Ephemeral Rollups), Gaming on Solana
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MagicBlock (Ephemeral Rollups)

A framework for building on-chain games on Solana using Ephemeral Rollups. MagicBlock allows game state to temporarily move to a dedicated SVM instance for high-frequency updates (sub-second ticks), then settle back to Solana mainnet. This enables real-time multiplayer games while maintaining Solana's composability and security.

Branch

Gaming on Solana

The ecosystem of on-chain games and gaming infrastructure on Solana. Key technologies: MagicBlock (ephemeral rollups for real-time games), Bolt (ECS framework), Solana Unity SDK (Unity integration), and session keys (for gasless UX). Solana's low fees and fast finality make it suitable for gaming where frequent state updates are needed.

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Developer Tools

MagicBlock (Ephemeral Rollups)

A framework for building on-chain games on Solana using Ephemeral Rollups. MagicBlock allows game state to temporarily move to a dedicated SVM instance for high-frequency updates (sub-second ticks), then settle back to Solana mainnet. This enables real-time multiplayer games while maintaining Solana's composability and security.

Developer Tools

Gaming on Solana

The ecosystem of on-chain games and gaming infrastructure on Solana. Key technologies: MagicBlock (ephemeral rollups for real-time games), Bolt (ECS framework), Solana Unity SDK (Unity integration), and session keys (for gasless UX). Solana's low fees and fast finality make it suitable for gaming where frequent state updates are needed.

Developer Tools

cargo-build-sbf

The Cargo subcommand that compiles Rust programs to Solana Bytecode Format (SBF). It invokes the Solana-specific LLVM toolchain (platform-tools) to produce an ELF binary deployable on-chain. Replaces the older `cargo build-bpf`. Typically invoked via `anchor build` which calls it internally. Output goes to `target/deploy/<name>.so`.

Developer Tools

Bankrun (solana-bankrun)

A fast Solana testing framework (solana-bankrun for TypeScript, bankrun for Rust) that runs tests against an in-process Bank without starting a full validator. Bankrun processes transactions ~100x faster than solana-test-validator, supports time warping (advance slots/time), and can load accounts from fixtures or mainnet snapshots.

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Developer Toolsprogram-test-framework

Program Test Framework (solana-program-test)

Solana's built-in testing framework that spins up a lightweight BanksClient runtime to execute programs in an isolated environment without a full validator. Supports adding programs, setting account state, advancing slots/time, and processing transactions. The foundation for most Solana program integration tests.

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Developer Toolsmagicblock

MagicBlock (Ephemeral Rollups)

A framework for building on-chain games on Solana using Ephemeral Rollups. MagicBlock allows game state to temporarily move to a dedicated SVM instance for high-frequency updates (sub-second ticks), then settle back to Solana mainnet. This enables real-time multiplayer games while maintaining Solana's composability and security.

Developer Toolsgaming

Gaming on Solana

The ecosystem of on-chain games and gaming infrastructure on Solana. Key technologies: MagicBlock (ephemeral rollups for real-time games), Bolt (ECS framework), Solana Unity SDK (Unity integration), and session keys (for gasless UX). Solana's low fees and fast finality make it suitable for gaming where frequent state updates are needed.

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Developer Tools

Anchor Framework

The most popular framework for building Solana programs in Rust. Anchor provides macros (#[program], #[account], #[derive(Accounts)]) that auto-generate boilerplate for account validation, serialization, discriminators, and error handling. It includes a CLI (anchor init/build/test/deploy), IDL generation, and TypeScript client generation. Reduces program code by ~80% compared to native development.

Developer Tools

#[account] Macro (Anchor)

The Anchor macro applied to structs to define on-chain account data layouts. `#[account]` auto-derives Borsh serialization, adds an 8-byte discriminator prefix (SHA-256 of 'account:<Name>'), and implements space calculation. Optional attributes: `#[account(zero_copy)]` for zero-copy deserialization of large accounts.

Developer Tools

#[derive(Accounts)] (Anchor)

The Anchor macro that defines the accounts struct for an instruction. Each field specifies an account with validation constraints. Account types include: `Account<'info, T>` (deserialized), `Signer<'info>` (must sign), `Program<'info, T>` (program reference), `SystemAccount<'info>`, and `UncheckedAccount<'info>` (no validation, use carefully).

Developer Tools

Anchor Constraints

Declarative validation rules on Anchor account fields. Key constraints: `#[account(mut)]` (writable), `#[account(init, payer=x, space=n)]` (create), `#[account(seeds=[...], bump)]` (PDA validation), `#[account(has_one=field)]` (field equality), `#[account(constraint = expr)]` (custom boolean), `#[account(close=target)]` (close and reclaim rent).