Smart Contract Bug Guide: How to Find and Fix Issues Before Launch
Smart contract bugs can destroy your token launch before it begins. This guide shows creators how to identify common vulnerabilities, implement proper testing, and deploy secure contracts on Solana. Following these steps prevents costly errors and protects your project's reputation.
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The Problem
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The Solution
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Why Smart Contract Bugs Are Critical for Token Creators
One bug can end your token project before it starts
Smart contract bugs aren't just technical issues—they're business risks. A single vulnerability can drain liquidity, freeze funds, or expose creator wallets. On Solana, where transactions cost fractions of a cent, attackers can exploit bugs repeatedly with minimal cost. The financial impact is immediate: tokens with known bugs lose 95% of their value within hours of discovery. More importantly, your reputation as a creator suffers permanent damage. Investors remember failed launches, making future projects harder to promote.
Our recommendation: allocate 20% of your development budget to security testing. For a typical 0.1 SOL launch fee on Spawned, this means setting aside 0.02 SOL specifically for audits and testing tools. This investment prevents losses that average 50-100 SOL for bug-exploited tokens.
5 Most Common Smart Contract Bugs (With Examples)
Understanding these vulnerabilities helps you prevent them in your token contracts.
- Reentrancy attacks: Malicious contracts call back into your function before completion. Example: A transfer function that updates balances after external calls. Fix: Use checks-effects-interactions pattern.
- Integer overflow/underflow: Arithmetic operations exceed data type limits. Example: Token supply calculations that exceed u64 maximum. Fix: Use SafeMath libraries or built-in checks.
- Access control flaws: Missing permission checks allow unauthorized actions. Example: Anyone can mint tokens or change tax rates. Fix: Implement proper owner/role validation.
- Logic errors: Incorrect business logic implementation. Example: Wrong fee calculation (0.30% creator revenue vs intended 0.03%). Fix: Extensive unit testing with edge cases.
- Front-running vulnerabilities: Transactions visible in mempool before execution. Example: Buy orders visible before execution on DEX. Fix: Use commit-reveal schemes or private transactions.
4-Step Testing Process for Bug-Free Contracts
Follow this systematic approach to identify and fix issues before deployment.
Solana-Specific Contract Considerations
Solana's unique architecture requires specialized security approaches
Solana's architecture introduces unique challenges and solutions for contract security. The parallel execution model means bugs can have cascading effects across multiple transactions. Account rent (0.0007 SOL per year per account) requires proper resource management—contracts that don't handle rent exemptions can lose state data.
Program Derived Addresses (PDAs) offer security benefits but require careful implementation. Incorrect PDA generation can lead to unauthorized access. Token-2022 programs, which enable Spawned's 1% perpetual fees post-graduation, add complexity with extended mint capabilities that need additional validation.
Transaction size limits (1232 bytes) mean you must optimize contract logic. Complex operations might require multiple instructions, increasing attack surfaces. Always test with maximum transaction sizes to ensure proper gas estimation and execution.
Post-Launch Monitoring Checklist
Security doesn't end at deployment. Monitor these aspects for 48 hours after launch.
- Transaction monitoring: Watch for unusual patterns (rapid consecutive trades, identical transaction sizes). Set up alerts for transactions exceeding 10% of liquidity.
- Balance verification: Check creator wallet (0.30% fee destination) and liquidity pool balances hourly. Ensure fees accumulate correctly.
- Contract interactions: Log all contract calls. Review any unexpected interactions with other protocols or wallets.
- Gas usage tracking: Monitor transaction costs. Sudden spikes can indicate inefficient code or attack attempts.
- Community reporting: Establish bug bounty channels. Offer 1-5% of token supply for critical vulnerability reports.
Security Tools and Services Comparison
Choose the right tools for your budget and risk level
| Tool/Service | Cost | Best For | Detection Rate | Integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slither (Static) | Free | Early development | 65-70% | Command line, CI/CD |
| MythX (Paid) | $99-499/month | Professional teams | 80-85% | API, Remix plugin |
| Third-party Audit | 0.5-5 SOL | Final pre-launch | 90-95% | Manual review |
| Spawned Built-in | Included | Basic validation | 50-60% | Automatic on upload |
| OpenZeppelin | Free/Paid | Standard libraries | N/A | Development framework |
For creators launching on Spawned, we recommend: Start with Slither (free), use Spawned's built-in validation during contract upload, then budget 0.5-1 SOL for a basic third-party audit if handling significant funds. The included AI website builder saves $29-99/month that can be redirected toward security.
Launch Your Secure Token Today
Build security into your launch process
Don't let contract bugs undermine your token launch. Spawned provides built-in contract validation alongside our complete launchpad solution. Launch with confidence knowing your contract has passed basic security checks, then use the resources you save on website development ($29-99/month value) to fund additional audits.
Start your secure token launch with 0.1 SOL fee and integrated security checks. Protect your 0.30% creator revenue and 0.30% holder rewards from day one with properly tested contracts.
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
Allocate 15-25% of your total development budget to security. For a typical Solana token launch costing 1-2 SOL total, this means 0.15-0.5 SOL specifically for testing tools and audits. Consider this essential insurance—exploits typically cost 50-100 SOL in lost funds and reputation damage. The Spawned launch fee is 0.1 SOL, leaving room in your budget for proper security measures.
No platform detects all bugs. Spawned's built-in validation catches approximately 50-60% of common vulnerabilities through automated analysis. This provides a solid foundation, but you should supplement with additional testing. We recommend using free tools like Slither for early detection (adds 65-70% coverage), then professional audits for final review (90-95% coverage). Security is layered—no single solution is complete.
Access control flaws account for 40% of reported vulnerabilities. These occur when functions lack proper permission checks, allowing anyone to mint tokens, change fees, or withdraw funds. For tokens using Spawned's Token-2022 implementation for 1% perpetual fees post-graduation, improper fee authority setup is a specific risk. Always test with multiple wallet addresses to ensure only authorized accounts can perform privileged actions.
Minimum 7-10 days of focused testing. Spend 2-3 days on static analysis and unit tests, 2-3 days on integration testing with Solana devnet, and 3-4 days for third-party review if using auditors. After deploying to mainnet, monitor closely for 48 hours when 80% of exploits occur. Rushing this process increases risk—successful tokens average 14 days of testing before launch.
Immediate action is required. First, pause trading if possible through emergency functions. Notify holders through all channels. Deploy a patched contract and migrate liquidity if the bug is critical. For less severe issues, deploy a fix and allow gradual migration. Transparency is crucial—hidden bugs cause more damage when discovered. Consider our [gaming token launch guide](/use-cases/token/how-to-launch-gaming-token-on-solana) for industry-specific recovery strategies.
Yes, but coverage is limited. Several DeFi insurance protocols offer smart contract cover, typically costing 2-5% of covered value annually. However, most exclude newly launched tokens (under 30-90 days old) and have claim caps of 10-50% of pool value. For creators, prevention through testing is more cost-effective than insurance. Budget 0.5 SOL for audits instead of 5+ SOL for annual insurance premiums.
Our fee model creates security incentives. The 0.30% creator revenue and 0.30% holder rewards depend on sustainable trading volume, which requires secure contracts. Bugs that drain liquidity or freeze trading eliminate these income streams. The 1% perpetual fee post-graduation via Token-2022 requires long-term contract stability. Proper security testing protects not just initial funds but ongoing revenue—making the testing investment clearly worthwhile.
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