feat: test mode uses simulated funds instead of devnet

.agents/skills/zoneless-marketplace/SKILL.md

@@ -30,14 +30,13 @@ the human explicitly asks for that additional work.
 Use plain language whenever the human must act. Briefly explain that USDC is a
 digital dollar, Solana is the network carrying it, SOL pays the small network
 fee, a wallet address is safe to share, and a wallet secret key authorizes
-spending and must remain private. Explain that devnet/test mode uses free,
-worthless test funds on a network separate from mainnet/live mode, and that a
-faucet is a website that supplies those test funds. Do not use terms such as
-gas, mint, token account, cluster, or airdrop without explaining them.
+spending and must remain private. Explain that test mode uses fake USDC so they
+can onboard sellers and run payouts without a wallet, a faucet, or the live
+Solana network. Live mode is when real USDC moves on Solana. Do not use terms
+such as gas, mint, token account, cluster, or airdrop without explaining them.
 
-Give concrete instructions: name the network and asset, say where to copy the
-public wallet address, link the relevant guide or faucet, and distinguish test
-funds from real funds. Never assume prior wallet or blockchain experience.
+Give concrete instructions: distinguish test funds from real funds. Never
+assume prior wallet or blockchain experience.
 
 ## Read documentation just in time
 
@@ -195,7 +194,8 @@ Use the payout helper that matches the existing worker:
   `payouts.broadcast(...)` when the marketplace must process an explicitly
   claimed payout ID.
 
-The SDK already builds and signs Solana transactions. Do not install
+The SDK already builds and signs Solana transactions. In simulated test mode
+it passes dummy `sim_tx` payloads through without signing. Do not install
 `@solana/web3.js`, `@solana/spl-token`, `bs58`, or add mint, cluster, RPC, token
 account, or platform-account configuration to a Node application. Those are
 Zoneless implementation details. The marketplace app needs only the relevant
@@ -351,14 +351,13 @@ Report:
 - required environment-variable names, never values;
 - tests run and any unverified behavior;
 - the test-mode onboarding path;
-- that before an end-to-end test payout, the human must fund the test
-  platform's public wallet address (the `wallet_public_key` returned by setup or
-  the address shown under **Balance**) with devnet SOL from
-  `https://faucet.solana.com/` and test USDC from
-  `https://faucet.circle.com/`, selecting **USDC** and **Solana Devnet** at the
-  Circle faucet; link
-  `https://zoneless.com/docs/local-development.md` for the complete steps and
-  warn never to send real SOL or USDC to devnet;
+- that a test payout still uses the live two-step flow: create stays
+  pending, then `processAll` / build and broadcast marks it paid with
+  simulated USDC. No wallet, faucet, or Devnet is required — broadcast
+  the unsigned dummy transaction. Use **Add test USDC**
+  on the dashboard Balance page (or
+  `POST /v1/test_helpers/treasury/topups`) if the platform ledger needs a
+  balance first;
 - where the human must configure the API key and webhook secret;
 - the exact live-mode promotion sequence, including the bound live profile
   name, `https://api.zoneless.com`, deployment secret changes, live webhook

.agents/skills/zoneless-payments/SKILL.md

@@ -30,10 +30,10 @@ explicitly asks for that additional work.
 Use plain language whenever the human must act. Briefly explain that USDC is a
 digital dollar and Solana is the network carrying it, that a wallet address is
 safe to share, and that a wallet secret key authorizes spending and must remain
-private. Explain that test mode uses free, worthless test funds on a network
-separate from live mode, and that a faucet is a website that supplies those
-test funds. Do not use terms such as gas, mint, token account, cluster, or
-airdrop without explaining them.
+private. Explain that test mode uses fake USDC so they can try checkout
+without a wallet, a faucet, or the live Solana network. Live mode is when
+real USDC moves on Solana. Do not use terms such as gas, mint, token account,
+cluster, or airdrop without explaining them.
 
 The merchant does not need to hold, fund, or manage any crypto to receive
 subscription payments. Money moves from the customer's wallet to the platform
@@ -365,9 +365,9 @@ Run the project's formatter, focused tests, linter, type checker, and build.
 Fix regressions introduced by the integration.
 
 Open a test Checkout Session and verify that the hosted page shows the expected
-product, amount, cadence, and return URLs. When a test wallet is available,
-complete one supervised test subscription and verify the resulting entitlement.
-Do not describe unexecuted end-to-end behavior as tested.
+product, amount, cadence, and return URLs. Complete one test subscription with
+the simulated wallet (or the test_helpers complete endpoint) and verify the
+resulting entitlement. Do not describe unexecuted end-to-end behavior as tested.
 
 ## Human handoff
 
@@ -381,10 +381,10 @@ Report:
   `ZONELESS_API_URL`, and `ZONELESS_WEBHOOK_SECRET`), never values;
 - checks run, distinguishing static checks, unit tests, hosted-checkout
   verification, and completed end-to-end payments;
-- that to test a subscription end to end, the human needs a Solana wallet
-  holding test USDC, available free from `https://faucet.circle.com/` by
-  selecting **USDC** and **Solana Devnet**, and that they must never send real
-  funds to a test network;
+- that to test a subscription end to end, the human opens hosted checkout in
+  test mode and approves the simulated wallet (no Phantom, faucet, or Devnet
+  switch). They can also complete a session with
+  `POST /v1/test_helpers/checkout/sessions/:id/complete`;
 - that the customer approves the plan once at checkout and every later cycle is
   collected automatically, so no further signing is required;
 - where the human must configure the live API key, live API URL, and live

.env.example

@@ -45,13 +45,18 @@ SINGLE_TENANT=
 # /v1/operator API. Implies multi-tenant mode (SINGLE_TENANT is ignored).
 OPERATOR_API_KEY=
 
-# Solana RPC endpoint
+# Solana RPC endpoint (only needed when SETTLEMENT_RAIL=onchain)
 # e.g. https://api.devnet.solana.com or a Helius/QuickNode URL
 SOLANA_RPC_URL=
 
-# LIVEMODE controls Solana network: false = devnet (test), true = mainnet (real USDC)
+# LIVEMODE=true uses Solana mainnet (real USDC). Unset/false is test mode.
 LIVEMODE=
 
+# How test mode settles money: simulated (default, fake funds) or onchain
+# (Solana Devnet — internal escape hatch). Live mode is always on-chain.
+# SETTLEMENT_RAIL=simulated
+# SETTLEMENT_RAIL=onchain
+
 # Base58 secret key that owns on-chain subscription plans and signs pulls.
 # Required to create recurring prices. Existing plans must keep the same owner.
 # SUBSCRIPTION_OPERATOR_KEY=

.env.production.example

@@ -38,13 +38,18 @@ SINGLE_TENANT=true
 # /v1/operator API. Implies multi-tenant mode (SINGLE_TENANT is ignored).
 OPERATOR_API_KEY=
 
-# Solana RPC endpoint
+# Solana RPC endpoint (required for live / on-chain settlement)
 # e.g. https://api.mainnet-beta.solana.com or a Helius/QuickNode URL
 SOLANA_RPC_URL=
 
-# LIVEMODE controls Solana network: true = mainnet (real USDC), false = devnet (test)
+# LIVEMODE=true uses Solana mainnet (real USDC). Unset/false is test mode
+# with simulated funds by default.
 LIVEMODE=true
 
+# Test mode settlement: simulated (default) or onchain (Solana Devnet).
+# Invalid when LIVEMODE=true.
+# SETTLEMENT_RAIL=onchain
+
 # Base58 secret key that owns on-chain subscription plans and signs pulls.
 # Required to create recurring prices. Must match the owner used when plans
 # were first created.

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ npx nx lint api --fix
 npx nx lint web --fix
 ```
 
+Test mode uses simulated funds by default (`SETTLEMENT_RAIL=simulated`). To
+exercise Solana Devnet instead, set `LIVEMODE=false` and `SETTLEMENT_RAIL=onchain`.
+
 ## How to Contribute
 
 ### Reporting Bugs

apps/api/src/__tests__/Payout.spec.ts

@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ jest.mock('../modules/AppConfig', () => ({
     appSecret: 'test-secret',
   })),
 }));
-jest.mock('../modules/chains/Solana', () => ({
-  Solana: jest.fn().mockImplementation(() => ({
+jest.mock('../modules/chains/Settlement', () => ({
+  GetSettlement: () => ({
     CheckWalletExists: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(true),
     GetUSDCBalance: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(100),
     GetSOLBalance: jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(1),
@@ -39,7 +39,8 @@ jest.mock('../modules/chains/Solana', () => ({
       signature: 'sig123',
       viewer_url: 'https://solscan.io/tx/sig123',
     }),
-  })),
+  }),
+  IsSimulatedSettlement: jest.fn(() => false),
 }));
 
 describe('PayoutModule', () => {

apps/api/src/__tests__/Settlement.spec.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+import {
+  SimulatedSettlement,
+  SimulatedSignature,
+} from '../modules/chains/Settlement';
+
+describe('SimulatedSettlement', () => {
+  const settlement = new SimulatedSettlement();
+
+  it('accepts a plausible wallet address', async () => {
+    await expect(
+      settlement.CheckWalletExists(
+        'D8VMZCmmTUUfhejNhNQKAmqvZCKfUq1qU6RqQKxQwXyX'
+      )
+    ).resolves.toBe(true);
+    await expect(settlement.CheckWalletExists('short')).resolves.toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('verifies a simulated checkout signature', async () => {
+    const signature = SimulatedSignature('cs_z_1', 'Payer111');
+    const result = await settlement.VerifyCheckoutPayment(signature, {
+      merchantWalletAddress: 'Merchant111',
+      amountInCents: 1500,
+      checkoutSessionId: 'cs_z_1',
+    });
+    expect(result).toEqual({
+      verified: true,
+      amount_cents: 1500,
+      payer_address: 'Payer111',
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('rejects a non-simulated checkout signature', async () => {
+    const result = await settlement.VerifyCheckoutPayment('real_sig', {
+      merchantWalletAddress: 'Merchant111',
+      amountInCents: 1500,
+      checkoutSessionId: 'cs_z_1',
+    });
+    expect(result.verified).toBe(false);
+  });
+
+  it('skips subscription authority init so checkout is one approval', async () => {
+    await expect(
+      settlement.BuildInitSubscriptionAuthorityTransaction('Payer111')
+    ).resolves.toBeNull();
+  });
+
+  it('collects a subscription without hitting a chain', async () => {
+    await expect(
+      settlement.CollectSubscriptionPayment({
+        subscriberWallet: 'Payer111',
+        planPda: 'sim_plan_price_z_1',
+        subscriptionPda: 'sim_sub_1',
+        amountCents: 2000,
+      })
+    ).resolves.toEqual({
+      signature: 'sim_collect:Payer111',
+      alreadyCollected: false,
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('builds and broadcasts a dummy payout without a chain', async () => {
+    await expect(
+      settlement.BuildBatchPayoutTransaction('Sender111', [
+        { destinationAddress: 'Dest111', amountInCents: 500 },
+      ])
+    ).resolves.toMatchObject({
+      unsigned_transaction: 'sim_tx',
+      last_valid_block_height: 1,
+      recipients_count: 1,
+    });
+    await expect(
+      settlement.BroadcastSignedTransaction('sim_tx')
+    ).resolves.toEqual({
+      signature: 'sim_sig_payout',
+      status: 'paid',
+      viewer_url: '',
+    });
+  });
+});

apps/api/src/__tests__/mocks/Solana.ts

@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ export class Solana {
   GetSOLBalance = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue(1);
   GetUSDCMintAddress = jest.fn().mockReturnValue('UsdcMint_test');
   GetPlanOwnerPublicKey = jest.fn().mockReturnValue('PlanOwner111');
+  GetIncomingDeposits = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([]);
   GetIncomingUSDCDeposits = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue([]);
   BuildCheckoutPaymentTransaction = jest.fn().mockResolvedValue({
     unsigned_transaction: 'base64tx',

apps/api/src/main.ts

@@ -225,11 +225,13 @@ async function StartServer() {
       console.log(`📊 Health check at http://localhost:${port}/api/health`);
       console.log('');
       const livemode = appConfig.livemode;
-      console.log(
-        livemode
+      const settlement =
+        appConfig.settlement_rail === 'simulated'
+          ? '🧪 Simulated settlement (test mode)'
+          : livemode
           ? '💰 Solana: mainnet-beta (live USDC)'
-          : '🧪 Solana: devnet (test mode)'
-      );
+          : '🧪 Solana: devnet (test mode)';
+      console.log(settlement);
       if (IsSingleTenantMode()) {
         console.log('🔒 Single-tenant mode: Only one platform allowed');
       } else {

apps/api/src/modules/AppConfig.ts

@@ -22,7 +22,11 @@
 import * as dotenv from 'dotenv';
 import * as path from 'path';
 import { randomBytes } from 'crypto';
-import type { AppConfig, AppSecrets } from '@zoneless/shared-types';
+import type {
+  AppConfig,
+  AppSecrets,
+  SettlementRail,
+} from '@zoneless/shared-types';
 import { DeriveKey } from './Encryption';
 
 // Load environment variables first.
@@ -61,6 +65,24 @@ function NormalizeOrigin(url: string): string {
   return url.replace(/\/$/, '');
 }
 
+/**
+ * Test mode defaults to simulated settlement. Live mode is always on-chain.
+ * SETTLEMENT_RAIL=onchain with LIVEMODE=false restores Solana Devnet.
+ */
+function ResolveSettlementRail(livemode: boolean): SettlementRail {
+  const rail = (process.env.SETTLEMENT_RAIL || '').trim().toLowerCase();
+  if (livemode) {
+    if (rail === 'simulated') {
+      throw new Error(
+        'SETTLEMENT_RAIL=simulated is not valid when LIVEMODE=true'
+      );
+    }
+    return 'onchain';
+  }
+  if (rail === 'onchain') return 'onchain';
+  return 'simulated';
+}
+
 /**
  * Build the base config from environment variables.
  * appSecret will be empty until InitializeAppConfig is called (if not in env).
@@ -74,6 +96,7 @@ function BuildConfigFromEnv(): AppConfig {
   const paymentLinkUrl = NormalizeOrigin(
     process.env.PAYMENT_LINK_URL || checkoutUrl
   );
+  const livemode = process.env.LIVEMODE === 'true';
 
   return {
     mongodbUri:
@@ -83,7 +106,8 @@ function BuildConfigFromEnv(): AppConfig {
     checkoutUrl,
     paymentLinkUrl,
     appSecret: process.env.APP_SECRET || '',
-    livemode: process.env.LIVEMODE === 'true',
+    livemode,
+    settlement_rail: ResolveSettlementRail(livemode),
   };
 }
 

apps/api/src/modules/Balance.ts

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import { GetAppConfig } from './AppConfig';
 import { GetPlatformAccountId } from './PlatformAccess';
 import { AccountModule } from './Account';
 import { ExternalWalletModule } from './ExternalWallet';
-import { Solana } from './chains/Solana';
+import { GetSettlement, IsSimulatedSettlement } from './chains/Settlement';
 
 export class BalanceModule {
   private readonly db: Database;
@@ -206,11 +206,15 @@ export class BalanceModule {
 
     if (!wallet) return null;
 
-    const solana = new Solana();
+    const settlement = GetSettlement();
     const [walletUsdc, walletSol, platformBalance, connectedOwed] =
       await Promise.all([
-        solana.GetUSDCBalance(wallet.wallet_address),
-        solana.GetSOLBalance(wallet.wallet_address),
+        IsSimulatedSettlement()
+          ? Promise.resolve(0)
+          : settlement.GetUSDCBalance(wallet.wallet_address),
+        IsSimulatedSettlement()
+          ? Promise.resolve(0)
+          : settlement.GetSOLBalance(wallet.wallet_address),
         this.GetBalance(platformAccountId),
         this.GetConnectedAccountsOwed(platformAccountId),
       ]);
@@ -223,7 +227,7 @@ export class BalanceModule {
 
     return {
       object: 'balance_details',
-      wallet_usdc: walletUsdc,
+      wallet_usdc: IsSimulatedSettlement() ? available / 100 : walletUsdc,
       wallet_sol: walletSol,
       connected_accounts_owed: connectedOwed,
       platform_available: available,