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Run Validator Node

This is an updated guide on setting up a mainnet validator once Shentu Node is setup using the process outlined in Node Setup Guide.

Prerequisites​

Ensure that you have a Shentu node setup and syncing

To check on the status of syncing:​

shentud status --log_format json | jq '.sync_info'

This will give output like:

{
  "latest_block_hash": "074E92BDF8858D45D304CA10BACAC464994A2DA877C6D71CA33E99A0942BAACE",
  "latest_app_hash": "3A89A3C3CA04C37DDA73E5041BCEB0D7C02E3BF06C3AD7331E9D0A309D8801BF",
  "latest_block_height": "21646800",
  "latest_block_time": "2024-12-17T06:40:58.80228023Z",
  "earliest_block_hash": "12C4D749975B1C4FFB0CAA6971CD78148BC42D902F2BF11F8A31C03A5DB8FF8E",
  "earliest_app_hash": "E3B0C44298FC1C149AFBF4C8996FB92427AE41E4649B934CA495991B7852B855",
  "earliest_block_height": "4602989",
  "earliest_block_time": "2020-10-24T14:24:00Z",
  "catching_up": false
}

The main thing to watch is that the block height is increasing. Once you are caught up with the chain, catching_up will become false. At that point, you can start using your node to create a validator.

Creating a Validator​

First, create a wallet, which will give you a private key / public key pair for your node.

# Replace <your-key-name> with a name for your key that you will remember
shentud keys add <your-key-name>
# To see a list of wallets on your node
shentud keys list

Be sure to write down the mnemonic for your wallet and store it securely. Losing your mnemonic could result in the irrecoverable loss of Shentu tokens.

To see the options when creating a validator:

shentud tx staking create-validator -h

An example of creating a validator with 1CTK self-delegation and 10% commission: Keep in mind that the minimum staked amount is 1 CTK this is 1000000uctk

# Replace <key_name> with the key you created previously
shentud tx staking create-validator \
--amount 1000000uctk \
--pubkey $(shentud tendermint show-validator) \
--moniker="choose moniker" \
--website="optional website for your validator" \
--details="optional details for your validator" \
--commission-max-change-rate 0.01 \
--commission-max-rate 0.2 \
--commission-rate 0.1 \
--min-self-delegation 1 \
--from=<your-key-name> \
--chain-id shentu-2.2 \
--gas-prices 0.025uctk \
--gas-adjustment 1.5 \
--gas auto

To check on the status of your validator:

shentud status --log_format json | jq '.ValidatorInfo' --gas-prices 0.025uctk --gas-adjustment 2.0 --gas auto

After you have completed this guide, your validator should be up and ready to receive delegations. Note that only the top 125 validators by weighted stake (self-delegations + other delegations) are eligible for block rewards. To view the current validator list, checkout one of the Shentu block explorers:

Frequently Commands​

Unjail Validator​

shentud tx slashing unjail --from <your-key-name> --chain-id shentu-2.2 --gas-prices 0.025uctk --gas-adjustment 1.5 --gas auto

Redeem Commission Rewards​

shentud tx distribution withdraw-rewards <Operator Address> --from <your-key-name> --commission  --chain-id=shentu-2.2 --gas-prices 0.025uctk --gas-adjustment 1.5 --gas auto