Helius AirShip Guide: Get Started with ZK Compressed Airdrops
Complete guide to using Helius AirShip for Solana token airdrops. Learn ZK compression, cost savings, and distribution to NFT holders and token holders.
Helius AirShip is an open-source tool that makes token airdrops simple, affordable, and accessible. Whether you’re distributing to Saga Chapter 2 holders, NFT/cNFT holders, SPL token holders, or using a CSV file, AirShip streamlines the process and dramatically reduces costs through ZK compression.
What is AirShip?
AirShip is a comprehensive airdrop solution that leverages ZK compression to make large-scale token distribution affordable on Solana. Instead of creating individual token accounts for each recipient (which costs ~0.002 SOL each), AirShip uses ZK compression to bundle recipient data into a single Merkle root, reducing costs by over 95%.
For a detailed explanation of airdrop costs and how ZK compression works, read our comprehensive guide: The Cheapest Way to Airdrop Solana Tokens
Web Version
Perfect for small airdrops, up to 200,000 recipients
CLI Version
For advanced users needing larger-scale distribution
Key Features
Simplified Airdrops
Easy token airdrops for all, no technical skills needed
ZK Compression
Cut costs on large airdrops by reducing account usage
Multiple Recipients
Support for NFT holders, token holders, CSV files, and more
Cost Effective
Reduce airdrop costs by over 95% compared to traditional methods
Cost Comparison
The savings from ZK compression become even more significant as you scale to larger recipient lists.
Traditional Airdrop
10,000 recipients: 20 SOL ($4,800)
ZK Compressed Airdrop
10,000 recipients: 0.01 SOL ($2.40)
Prerequisites
Solana Wallet
A wallet that holds the tokens you want to distribute
SOL for Fees
Enough SOL to cover minimal transaction fees
Recipient List
CSV file, NFT holders, or token holders
RPC Endpoint
Supports ZK compression and DAS API (get one free)
Using the Web Version
The web version is perfect for smaller airdrops and users who prefer a graphical interface.
Access AirShip
Visit the AirShip website and click “Create New Airdrop.”
Configure Your Wallet
- Enter your private key and RPC URL
- Use an RPC like
https://mainnet.helius-rpc.com/?api-key=YOUR_API_KEY
Use a temporary wallet created specifically for this airdrop task. The private key is only used for signing transactions and isn’t stored or shared anywhere.
Select Recipients
Choose from several options:
NFT Holders
Select specific NFT collections
Token Holders
Target holders of specific SPL tokens
Saga Holders
Distribute to Saga Chapter 2 holders
CSV Upload
Upload your own list of recipients
Set Token Amount
Specify either:
- A fixed number of tokens per recipient
- A percentage of your total token supply to distribute
Review and Confirm
Carefully review the airdrop summary:
- Total recipients
- Token amount per recipient
- Estimated transaction fees
- Total cost
Once confirmed, AirShip will handle the batch sending and ZK proofs automatically.
Using the CLI Version
The CLI version is better for larger airdrops and users who prefer command-line tools.
Installation
Usage
Replace /path/to/your/airdrop_wallet.json
with the path to your Solana filesystem wallet and YOUR_API_KEY
with your Helius API key.
Interactive Setup
Select Recipient Type
Choose from NFT holders, token holders, CSV, etc.
Specify Token Amounts
Set the amount to distribute per recipient
Confirm Details
Review the airdrop configuration
Execute Transactions
AirShip will handle the batch processing
Requirements
Node.js
Node.js >= v20.9.0
pnpm >= v9.13.2 (for building from source)
Solana Wallet
A valid filesystem wallet that:
- Holds the tokens to distribute
- Has SOL for transaction fees
- Owns the token being distributed
RPC Endpoint
If you don’t have a filesystem wallet, visit the Solana documentation for details on creating one.
Best Practices
Test First
Always test with a small batch before running large airdrops
Use Dedicated Wallets
Create a separate wallet specifically for airdrops
Backup Data
Save your recipient lists and transaction signatures
Verify Recipients
Double-check your recipient addresses before executing
Getting Help
GitHub Issues
Check for issues and updates
Discord Support
Join the community
Documentation
Review ZK compression docs
Next Steps
Verify Distribution
Check successful distribution using block explorers
Monitor Balances
Keep track of recipient token balances
Explore More Features
Check out other compression features
AirShip makes token distribution accessible and affordable, enabling you to reward your community without breaking the bank. The combination of ZK compression and an intuitive interface removes the technical barriers that previously made large-scale airdrops costly and complex.