Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Etch and token launches.

General

What is Etch?

Etch is a headless REST API for launching SPL tokens on Solana with built-in vesting, DAO governance, and liquidity pools. We integrate with audited protocols (Streamflow, Realms, Meteora) so you don’t need to write custom smart contracts.

Do I need to deploy any smart contracts?

No. Etch uses existing, audited protocols. Your tokens, vesting contracts, DAOs, and pools are all created using established programs on Solana.

What networks are supported?

Mainnet-beta: Production launches
Devnet: Testing and development

Authentication

How do I get an API key?

Connect your Solana wallet at etch.dev
Sign a message to authenticate
Create a project to receive your API key

How long do JWT tokens last?

JWT tokens expire after 24 hours by default. You can refresh by signing a new challenge.

What if my API key is compromised?

Revoke it immediately in the dashboard and generate a new one. All previous tokens will become invalid.

Launches

How long does a launch take?

Typically 30-60 seconds for a basic launch. With vesting and DAO, expect 60-90 seconds.

What happens if a launch fails?

Failed launches are retried automatically up to 3 times
Partial progress is saved (if token created but pool failed, token is preserved)
Failed jobs go to a dead-letter queue for manual review
You’ll receive a webhook notification with error details

Can I retry a failed launch?

Yes, if the launch failed before token creation. If the token was created, contact support for recovery options.

What’s the rate limit?

Default: 1 launch per wallet per day. Contact us for higher limits.

Vesting

What vesting modes are available?

Vesting is time-based only: linear unlock over a duration with an optional cliff. Configure cliffMonths and durationMonths in your launch.

Can beneficiaries claim early?

No. Vesting unlocks are enforced on-chain by Streamflow.

What happens to unclaimed tokens?

They remain in the vesting contract until claimed. There’s no expiration.

DAO

Which DAO program is used?

Realms V3 (spl-governance). All DAOs are standard and compatible with realms.today.

What governance types are supported?

Community: Token holders vote
Council: Designated wallets vote
Hybrid: Both community and council votes required

How do I deposit tokens to the treasury?

Use the /api/dao/{mint}/deposit endpoint or interact directly via Realms.

Liquidity

Which AMM is used?

Meteora Dynamic AMM for permissionless pool creation.

How much initial liquidity is required?

Default: 0.1 SOL paired with public token supply. Configurable in future versions.

Can I add more liquidity later?

Yes, via Meteora directly. The pool is permissionless.

Webhooks

How are webhooks authenticated?

Each webhook includes an HMAC-SHA256 signature in the X-Etch-Signature header. Verify using your webhook secret.

What events are available?

launch.started
launch.completed
launch.failed
vesting.claimed
dao.proposal_created
dao.vote_cast

What if my webhook endpoint is down?

Webhooks retry 3 times with exponential backoff. Failed deliveries are logged.

Billing

How much does Etch cost?

See etch.film.fun for current plans.

Who pays Solana transaction fees?

Etch covers transaction fees. You only pay the launch fee.

Are there refunds for failed launches?

Yes, contact support with your launch ID.

Security

Is Etch audited?

We use audited protocols (Streamflow, Realms, Meteora). Our API layer follows security best practices with rate limiting, lockouts, and input validation.

Where are private keys stored?

Your wallet keys never touch our servers. All signatures happen in your browser or app.

What data do you store?

Launch configurations
Transaction signatures
Webhook delivery logs

We don’t store private keys, seed phrases, or sensitive wallet data.

Support

How do I report a bug?

Email support@film.fun with:

Your request ID (from X-Request-ID header)
Launch ID (if applicable)
Expected vs actual behavior

Is there a Discord?

Yes! Join us at discord.gg/etch .

Can I request a feature?

Absolutely. Open an issue on GitHub or reach out on Discord.