Guide for validators

This document provides guidance on how configure and promote a cheqd node to validator status. Having a validator node is necessary to participate in staking rewards, block creation, and governance.

Preparation steps

Step 1: Ensure you have a cheqd node installed as a service

You must already have a running cheqd-node instance installed using one of the supported methods.

Please also ensure the node is fully caught up with the latest ledger updates.

1. Interactive installer (recommended method)

2. Docker install

Step 2: Generate a new account key

Follow the guidance on using cheqd CLI to manage keys to create a new account key.

cheqd-noded keys add <alias>

When you create a new key, a new account address and mnemonic backup phrase will be printed. Keep the mnemonic phrase safe as this is the only way to restore access to the account if they keyring cannot be recovered.

P.S. in case of using Ledger Nano device it would be helpful to use this instructions

1. Get your node ID

   Follow the guidance on using cheqd CLI to manage nodes to fetch your node ID.

   Copy

   cheqd-noded tendermint show-node-id

2. Get your validator account address

   The validator account address is generated in Step 1 above when a new key is added. To show the validator account address, follow the cheqd CLI guide on managing accounts.

   Copy

   cheqd-noded keys list

   (The assumption above is that there is only one account / key that has been added on the node. In case you have multiple addresses, please jot down the preferred account address.)

Promote a node to validator after acquiring CHEQ tokens for staking

1. Ensure your account has a positive balance

   Follow the guidance on using cheqd CLI to manage accounts to check that your account is correctly showing the CHEQ testnet tokens provided to you.

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   cheqd-noded query bank balances <address>

2. Get your node's validator public key

   The node validator public key is required as a parameter for the next step. More details on validator public key is mentioned in the cheqd CLI guide on managing nodes.