NFT Collection Launch Checklist

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Smart Contract Preparation

Get your minting contract production-ready.

Choose the right token standardcritical

ERC-721 for unique items, ERC-721A for gas-optimized batch mints, ERC-1155 for editions.

Implement allowlist functionalitycritical

Use Merkle proofs for gas-efficient allowlist verification. Test with full allowlist size.

Set up mint phases correctlycritical

Configure allowlist phase, public phase, and any holder-exclusive mints.

Configure royalty settings (EIP-2981)important

Set royalty percentage and recipient. Consider operator filter for enforcement.

Implement reveal mechanismimportant

Plan metadata reveal: instant, delayed, or Dutch auction style.

Add withdraw function with correct accesscritical

Only owner/multisig should withdraw. Test withdrawal to intended address.

Set per-wallet mint limitsimportant

Prevent whales from monopolizing. Different limits per phase.

Get contract auditedcritical

At minimum, use automated tools. High-value launches need professional audits.

Metadata & Art

Prepare artwork and metadata infrastructure.

Generate complete collection artcritical

All artwork ready, traits verified, rarity distribution checked.

Verify trait rarity distributioncritical

Confirm rare traits are actually rare. Check for unintended combinations.

Create metadata JSON filescritical

Generate all metadata following OpenSea standards. Verify JSON validity.

Upload art to decentralized storagecritical

Use IPFS or Arweave. Pin content properly. Record all CIDs.

Set up metadata server for revealimportant

If delayed reveal, configure server to return placeholder then real metadata.

Test metadata on all major marketplacesimportant

Verify display on OpenSea, Blur, Rarible before launch.

Prepare collection-level metadataimportant

Banner, logo, description, links for marketplace collection pages.

Create placeholder/unrevealed artimportant

Design compelling placeholder for pre-reveal period.

Minting Infrastructure

Build strong minting website and infrastructure.

Build or configure mint sitecritical

Use battle-tested platforms or build custom. No last-minute site changes.

Test wallet connections thoroughlycritical

Verify MetaMask, WalletConnect, Coinbase Wallet all work correctly.

Implement proper error handlingimportant

Clear messages for: sold out, not allowlisted, wrong phase, insufficient funds.

Set up CDN and load balancingcritical

Prepare for traffic spikes. DDoS protection essential.

Configure RPC endpoints with fallbackscritical

Use multiple RPC providers. Implement failover for high availability.

Test under loadimportant

Simulate hundreds of concurrent minters. Identify bottlenecks.

Prepare mobile experienceimportant

Test on mobile wallets and browsers. Many minters use phones.

Set up transaction monitoringimportant

Real-time dashboard showing mints, revenue, gas spent.

Allowlist Management

Build and verify your allowlist.

Finalize allowlist addressescritical

Lock allowlist 24-48 hours before mint. No last-minute additions.

Generate and verify Merkle rootcritical

Create Merkle tree, verify several random addresses can prove inclusion.

Set Merkle root on contractcritical

Call setMerkleRoot function. Verify it was set correctly.

Build proof generation APIcritical

API endpoint to return Merkle proof for any allowlisted address.

Test allowlist minting end-to-endcritical

Full test with real addresses on testnet. Verify non-allowlisted can't mint.

Communicate allowlist status to communityimportant

Provide way for users to check if they're allowlisted.

Plan for unclaimed allowlist spotsimportant

Decide what happens to unminted allowlist allocation.

Set up bot protectionimportant

Implement CAPTCHA or other measures to prevent bot minting.

Community & Marketing

Coordinate community for successful launch.

Announce mint date and time clearlycritical

Multiple timezone formats. Pin in all channels. Count down.

Publish mint price and supplycritical

Clear pricing for each phase. Total supply. Any free mints.

Create mint tutorialimportant

Step-by-step guide with screenshots. Video walkthrough.

Brief moderators on launch daycritical

Mods should know common issues, scam patterns, and escalation paths.

Prepare anti-scam warningscritical

Post official links prominently. Warn about fake sites and DMs.

Set up launch day supportimportant

Dedicated support channel. Fast response for mint issues.

Coordinate with influencers/collabsimportant

Brief partners on timing. Provide assets and talking points.

Prepare post-mint communicationimportant

What to post when sold out, if not sold out, or if issues occur.

Launch Day Execution

Execute the mint smoothly.

Verify contract state before mintcritical

Check Merkle root, prices, limits, phase timing one final time.

Monitor gas pricesimportant

Be ready to advise on gas settings. Pause if network is congested.

Watch for minting issues in real-timecritical

Monitor failed transactions. Identify patterns quickly.

Update community on progressimportant

Post mint counts at milestones. Build excitement.

Handle support tickets rapidlycritical

Quick response to stuck transactions, allowlist issues.

Monitor for exploit attemptscritical

Watch for unusual mint patterns, large purchases, bot activity.

Prepare emergency pause if neededcritical

Have pause transaction ready. Know the trigger conditions.

Document any issues for post-mortemnice-to-have

Note what went wrong for future improvement.

Post-Mint Actions

What to do after the mint completes.

Announce sellout or end of mintcritical

Thank community. Share final numbers.

Execute metadata revealcritical

Trigger reveal at announced time. Verify metadata updates on marketplaces.

Withdraw funds to treasurycritical

Move ETH to secure multisig. Don't leave funds in mint contract.

Set up collection on marketplacescritical

Verify collection, set royalties, add description and links.

Monitor secondary salesimportant

Track floor price, volume, holder distribution.

Provide rarity tools accessimportant

Submit to rarity.tools, integrate rarity in your site.

Announce roadmap next stepsimportant

Keep momentum with clear next milestones.

Conduct launch retrospectivenice-to-have

Document what worked, what didn't, for future launches.

Pro Tips

Test your Merkle tree with the exact production list: Generate proofs for random addresses and verify on-chain. A wrong Merkle root means no one can mint.

Have emergency contacts ready: RPC provider support, hosting provider, smart contract devs—all on standby during mint.

Never change the mint site URL close to launch: Scammers monitor DNS changes. Any URL change gives them opportunity to create fakes.

Price allowlist mints to cover gas mistakes: New minters often set gas wrong. Slightly lower AL price compensates for their learning curve.

Prepare three versions of your announcement: Sold out, partially sold, not sold—have all three ready so you respond instantly.

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