Solana developers propose major overhaul to address hidden risk that could disrupt its network
Solana developers are considering a new protocol rulebook to make independently developed validator software more reliable and easier to maintain.
The proposal, published Oct. 30, comes as Solana expands beyond its original validator software to include independently developed alternatives like Firedancer, built by trading firm Jump Crypto. Validators are computers that verify transactions and help secure the blockchain, and while different developers can create the software running these computers, every implementation must follow the same underlying rules to maintain agreement across the network.
Current system challenges
Under the current system, protocol changes are proposed through Solana Improvement Documents (SIMDs). These documents describe individual upgrades, but the network's complete operating rules are not consolidated into one authoritative reference. This makes it difficult for independent teams to determine exactly how the network is supposed to behave.
This approach can produce repeated or inconsistent descriptions of existing behavior while making it harder to identify every part of the protocol affected by a proposed upgrade.
Proposed solution
Watt's proposal would establish a single, authoritative specification defining how Solana's blockchain processes transactions, validates blocks and reaches consensus. Developers would continue discussing upgrades through the existing SIMD process, but formal technical changes would be submitted as edits to a shared protocol specification.
Each amendment would precisely describe how an upgrade affects transactions, network communications, consensus and other relevant functions. The changes would undergo technical review and governance approvals before becoming part of the official specification when activated on Solana's Mainnet.
Implementation status
Watt has already published a draft specification covering 18 areas of Solana's operations, including transaction processing, network communications, consensus, fees, and validator rewards. However, the draft remains limited to a defined period of Solana's blockchain history and assumes developers begin from an already trusted network state.
Further work would be needed to cover subsequent upgrades and establish that implementations remain compatible over time. This is currently a draft specification, not an adopted protocol change, and does not establish starting-state correctness or historical replay capabilities.
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