# Core Candy Machine ## Overview The Metaplex Protocol **Candy Machine** is the leading minting and distribution program for fair NFT collection launches on Solana. With the introduction of the `Metaplex Core Protocol` simplifying the NFT process on Solana it was only fitting for a Core edition of the Candy Machine to come to the masses. Much like its name suggests, you can think of a Candy Machine as a temporary structure which is first loaded by creators and then unloaded by buyers. It allows creators to bring their digital assets onchain in a secure and customisable way. The name refers to the vending machines that dispense candy for coins via a mechanical crank. In this case the candy are NFTs and the payment is SOL or a SPL token. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://8bit-1.gitbook.io/solibrary/core-candy-machine.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.