Solana: How can I disable direct mapping feature gate on local test validator?

Disabling Direct Mapping Feature Gate in Local Test Validator

As a developer working with Solana, you are likely familiar with the importance of testing and validation. One feature that can significantly impact your development process is the direct mapping feature gate, also known as the “feature gate” or “devnet only” setting.

In this article, we will explore how to disable the direct mapping feature gate in Solana’s local test validator.

What is direct mapping?

Direct mapping allows users to create and manage their own nodes without interacting with the central network. This feature is designed to provide a more seamless testing experience and ensure that your code works correctly in isolation.

However, as we mentioned earlier, the direct mapping feature gate can be a security risk in local test validators because it requires users to access the mainnet’s features, including the ability to create new nodes.

Why is Direct Mapping Feature Gate being disabled?

Disabling the Direct Mapping Feature Gate offers several benefits:

• Improved Security: By not exposing your user accounts to the mainnet features, you can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.

• Faster Testing: Local test validators allow for faster testing and validation of code without relying on the central network infrastructure.

• Improved Performance: Without the need to create new nodes or manage complex network configurations, local test validators can perform more efficiently.

How ​​to disable the Direct Mapping Feature Gate in a local test validator

To disable the Direct Mapping Feature Gate in a local test validator:

Method 1: Using the Solana CLI

You can use the “solana CLI” command line interface (CLI) to change the feature gate. Here is an example:

solana config feature-gate  --set true

Replace with the name of the feature you want to disable.

For example, to disable a direct mapping feature port, run:

solana config feature-gate direct mapping --set true

Method 2: Using a configuration file

You can also configure a feature port using a configuration file. Create a new file named “config.json” in your Solana project directory with the following content:

{
"feature-gates": {
"direct mapping": {
"enabled": true
}
}
}

Then use the command solana config feature-gate to change the feature port.

Conclusion

Disabling the Direct Mapping Feature Gate in the local test validator offers several benefits in terms of security, testing, and performance. By following these steps, you can safely disable this feature and ensure a controlled development environment for your Solana projects. Always remember to follow best practices when working with sensitive features such as the Direct Mapping Feature Gate.

Additional Resources

• [Solana Documentation: Feature Gates](

• [Solana CLI Documentation](