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DeFi Code Review Checklist

A comprehensive code review checklist specifically for DeFi protocols. Use this when reviewing PRs for lending protocols, DEXs, yield aggregators, and other financial smart contracts.

For: defi developerUpdated: March 12, 2026
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Financial Logic Review

Verify correctness of financial calculations.

Oracle Integration

Review price feed usage and manipulation resistance.

Liquidity & Solvency

Verify protocol remains solvent under all conditions.

MEV & Ordering

Review transaction ordering vulnerabilities.

Access Control & Governance

Review permission systems and admin functions.

Integration Safety

Review external protocol interactions.

Testing & Documentation

Verify code quality and test coverage.

Tips from the field

  • 1.

    Always trace the math by hand: For any financial calculation, work through specific examples manually before trusting the code.

  • 2.

    Think like an attacker with a flash loan: Ask: What could I do with unlimited capital in a single transaction? This catches most DeFi bugs.

  • 3.

    Check edge cases: zero, one, max: Every numeric input should be tested with 0, 1, and type(uint256).max.

  • 4.

    Review rounding direction for every division: Rounding should favor the protocol, not users. Inconsistent rounding is exploitable.

  • 5.

    Draw the token flow diagram: For complex operations, diagram where tokens move. Missing flows mean lost or stuck funds.

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