The first king of the Third Dynasty followed King Khasekhemwy, the last of the Second, without any indication of a break in the succession though Manetho and other Egyptian chroniclers indicate a change of dynasty. It may be that Khasekhemwy was without a son; his daughter Nemaathap, the mother of Sanakhte's successor Djoser Netjerykhet, may also have been the mother of Sanakhte, since it is likely that he and Djoser were brothers.

Sanakhte was responsible for innovations in connection with the kingship. He was the first king to enclose his name in a cartouche; also in the Third Dynasty the Golden Horus name was added to the king's titulary.

The king's name appears on a rock outcrop from the Wadi Meghara in Sinai (now in the Cairo Museum) where he is shown in the timeless royal stance, smiting Egypt's enemies.

The burial place of Sanakhte is unknown but it was probably at Saqqara.