# Run Validator Node

## Prerequisites

- [ansible](playbooks/README.md#ansible-installation)
- [laconic-so](https://github.com/cerc-io/stack-orchestrator/?tab=readme-ov-file#install)

## Run node

- Get your private key from testnet deployment:

  ```bash
  laconic-so deployment --dir <testnet-deployment-dir> exec laconicd "laconicd keys export <key-name> --unarmored-hex --unsafe"
  ```

  NOTE: Store this key securely as it is needed in later steps

- Stop the node for SAPO testnet:

  ```bash
  laconic-so deployment --dir <testnet-deployment-dir> stop
  ```

- Fetch the stack:

  ```bash
  laconic-so fetch-stack git.vdb.to/cerc-io/laconicd-stack --git-ssh --pull
  ```

  This command clones the entire repository into the `~/cerc` folder, which includes the genesis file published by the first validator.

- Copy the example variables file:

  ```bash
  cp ~/cerc/laconicd-stack/playbooks/validator/validator-vars.example.yml ~/cerc/laconicd-stack/playbooks/validator/validator-vars.yml
  ```

- Update `~/cerc/laconicd-stack/playbooks/validator/validator-vars.yml` with required values:

  ```bash
  # Set custom moniker for the node
  cerc_moniker: "<your-moniker>"

  genesis_file: "~/cerc/laconicd-stack/config/mainnet-genesis.json"
  staking_amount_file: "~/cerc/laconicd-stack/config/staking-amount.json"

  # Set persistent peers (comma-separated list of node IDs and addresses)
  # You can find the list of available peers in https://git.vdb.to/cerc-io/laconicd-stack/src/branch/main/node-addresses.yml
  cerc_peers: "<node-id>@<node-host>:26656,<node-id>@<node-host>:26656"
  ```

- Export the data directory and mainnet deployment directory as environment variables:

  ```bash
  # Parent directory where the deployment directory will live
  export DATA_DIRECTORY=

  # Set mainnet deployment directory
  # for eg: mainnet-laconicd-deployment
  export MAINNET_DEPLOYMENT_DIR=
  ```

- Run ansible playbook to set up and start your validator node:

  ```bash
  ansible-playbook -i localhost, -c local ~/cerc/laconicd-stack/playbooks/validator/run-validator.yml
  ```

- Check logs to ensure that node is running:

  ```bash
  laconic-so deployment --dir $DATA_DIRECTORY/$MAINNET_DEPLOYMENT_DIR logs laconicd -f
  ```

## Create Validator

- Run these steps in a machine different from the one where the node is running

- Export required env vars:

  ```bash
  # desired key name
  export KEY_NAME=<key-name>

  export DATA_DIRECTORY=<data-directory>
  export MAINNET_DEPLOYMENT_DIR=<mainnet-deployment-dir>

  # Set the public IP address of the machine where your node is running
  export NODE_URL="tcp://PUBLIC_IP_ADDRESS:26657"
  ```

- Run ansible playbook to create validator on running chain:

  <!-- TODO: Use OS keyring -->
  ```bash
  ansible-playbook -i localhost, -c local ~/cerc/laconicd-stack/playbooks/validator/create-validator.yml
  ```

  - Input private key of the existing account that was exported in previous steps when prompted

- Check the validator list:

  ```bash
  laconic-so deployment --dir $DATA_DIRECTORY/$MAINNET_DEPLOYMENT_DIR exec laconicd 'laconicd query staking validators'
  ```

## Register Your Node

- Run these steps in a machine where the node is running

- Get your node's address:

  ```bash
  laconic-so deployment --dir $DATA_DIRECTORY/$MAINNET_DEPLOYMENT_DIR exec laconicd 'echo $(laconicd cometbft show-node-id)@YOUR_PUBLIC_IP_ADDRESS:26656'
  ```

- Add your node's address to the `~/cerc/laconicd-stack/node-addresses.yml` file

- Submit a PR to add your node address to the repository