An RPC is how your wallet or app communicates with the Solana blockchain, with default public RPCs available but can be slower for dev work, prompting the use of custom RPCs like Helius.
Backpack wallet, created by Armani Ferrante's Coral, is a popular Solana wallet that allows switching RPC URLs easily.
Custom RPCs are essential for developers and serious apps to gain speed and extra features in interacting with Solana Mainnet or Devnet.
Helius is a well-known RPC provider offering URLs with API keys for Solana blockchain, highly recommended for dev work.
To start using Helius, create an API key, visit the Dashboard, switch to Devnet, and copy the provided URL for custom RPC connection.
Install Backpack wallet from a trusted source, follow instructions carefully, keep your seed phrase secure, and configure it to use the custom RPC URL obtained from Helius.
For developers requiring Devnet SOL for testing or transactions, using a custom RPC is crucial to avoid CORS errors and ensure transactions go through successfully.
Always verify wallet downloads to prevent falling for crypto scams, and securely manage API keys to prevent unauthorized access.
Utilizing custom RPC providers like Helius enhances the efficiency and reliability of interactions with the Solana blockchain for development and live production purposes.
Having a separate wallet for development work, such as Backpack, enables easy switching between different RPC URLs for varied project requirements.