Are you eager to dive into the world of decentralized finance using Solana? The Anchor Escrow Program is a perfect example of how you can manage token exchanges securely. This guide will walk you through the steps to implement this program, so buckle up and let’s explore!

Overview

This program builds upon the original Escrow Program. Before we proceed, ensure that you are familiar with the original blog post that outlines the basics of programming on Solana—specifically the general code structure and the beginning of the escrow program flow. You can find that here: Anchor Guide.

The key difference here is that instead of the initializer creating a token account to relay authority, we directly create Vault Authority’s associated token account (ATA) without transferring authority.

Steps to Implement the Escrow Program

1. Initialize the Vault

First, the initializer sends a transaction to the escrow program to establish the Vault. This initializes two accounts: the Vault Authority’s ATA and the Escrow State. Tokens (Token A) will then be transferred from the initializer to the Vault.

2. Cancel the Escrow

If the initializer wishes to cancel the escrow, they can send a cancellation transaction. This will return the tokens to the initializer and close the Vault and Escrow State.

3. Exchange Tokens

When the taker wants to exchange Token B for Token A, they send a transaction to the escrow program. Initially, Token B is transferred from the taker to the initializer, after which Token A from the Vault is transferred to the taker. Finally, both the Vault and the Escrow State are closed.

Installing, Building, Deploying, and Testing the Program

Install Anchor

To start, make sure Anchor is installed on your system:

bash
$ cargo install --git https://github.com/coral-xyz/anchor avm --locked --force
$ avm install 0.27.0
$ avm use 0.27.0

Extra Dependencies on Linux (Optional)

If you’re using Linux (e.g., Ubuntu), you may need to install some extra dependencies:

bash
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get upgrade
$ sudo apt-get install -y pkg-config build-essential libudev-dev

Verify the Installation

To check if Anchor has been successfully installed, run:

bash
$ anchor --version

Install Dependencies

Next, install the necessary dependencies:

$ yarn

Build the Program

Update your program ID and build the Anchor escrow:

bash
# Get the public key
$ anchor keys list
# Replace with the new program_id
# In Anchor.toml
[programs.localnet]
anchor_escrow = Fg6PaFpoGXkYsidMpWTK6W2BeZ7FEfcYkg476zPFsLnS

# Build the program
$ anchor build

Deploy the Escrow Program

To deploy the program, configure the Solana URL and execute the deploy command:

bash
$ solana config set --url localhost
$ anchor deploy

Test the Program

Finally, run the tests:

$ anchor test --skip-deploy --skip-build --skip-local-validator

Troubleshooting

• Make sure that all dependencies are installed correctly. If you encounter errors regarding missing packages, refer back to the installation steps.
• If Anchor does not run properly, verify that your Rust and Solana installations are functioning as expected.
• In case of deployment issues, ensure you’re working on the correct network and that your program ID is properly configured.
• If you face any unexpected behavior in transactions, checking the logs can often provide insight into what went wrong.

For more insights, updates, or to collaborate on AI development projects, stay connected with fxis.ai.

Conclusion

Implementing the Anchor Escrow program enables decentralized transactions and provides a hands-on understanding of smart contracts on Solana. With these steps, you can dive into your own NFT exchange or DeFi project in no time. The learning process is continually evolving, and at fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.