Join as Validator

This guide provides a comprehensive and professional walkthrough to setting up and maintaining a validator node on the Safrochain testnet. It includes secure wallet creation, key management, validator registration, profile updates, recovery processes, unjailing procedures, redelegation, and reward handling.

1. Create a Wallet Using the `file` Keyring

A validator wallet is necessary to hold funds, sign transactions, and interact with the chain.

🔐 Important: Copy and store the mnemonic phrase securely offline. This is your only recovery method.

To verify the wallet was created:

Get the wallet address:

2. Secure Your Wallet with Encryption

To protect your key from unauthorized access, export and encrypt it:

Encrypt the exported key:

💾 Store the encrypted .gpg file on a secure USB drive, external offline storage, or an encrypted cloud storage location.

3. Request SAF Test Tokens from the Faucet

Visit the faucet to fund your wallet with testnet tokens: https://faucet.safrochain.com

Paste your wallet address and request funds. Then confirm the balance:

4. Register Your Validator Node

Ensure Your Node Is Fully Synced

Output must be false before proceeding.

Get Validator Consensus Public Key

Create Configuration File

Submit the Registration Transaction

5. Update Validator Profile (Metadata)

You can update your validator’s public metadata such as its name, website, description, and image by submitting a transaction using the edit-validator command. This does not affect your stake or validator status but improves how your validator appears in public explorers.

Example Command:

Explanation:

--moniker: Public name of your validator node.

--identity: Your Keybase username used to fetch your profile picture and proofs.

--website: Link to your validator or team website.

--details: Textual description of your validator's mission, goals, or experience.

Setting Up Your Keybase ID

To show your profile image and build credibility:

Visit https://keybase.io

Create an account and choose a unique username — this becomes your identity.

Upload a profile picture and add verifications (GitHub, website, etc.).

Make sure your profile is public.

You can test your profile at:

https://keybase.io/<your_username>

Once set, use that Keybase ID in the --identity flag when editing your validator.

✅ Explorers like Mintscan or Big Dipper may use this information to display an image, website, and social verification next to your validator.

To change your validator name, description, website, or image identity:

🎨 The identity should be your Keybase profile to enable validator image display on explorers.

6. Unjail a Validator (After Downtime)

If your validator has been jailed due to inactivity or missed blocks:

Verify validator status:

7. Restore Wallet from Mnemonic

If you lost access to your machine but have the 24-word mnemonic, recover your wallet:

Paste your mnemonic phrase when prompted.

8. Redelegate to Reactivate an Unbonding Validator

If the validator is unbonding, you must redelegate to bring it back online:

9. Validator Monitoring: Status, Balance, Rewards

Set permanent environment variables:

Check Validator Status

Check Wallet Balance

Query Delegator Rewards

Withdraw Validator Rewards

10. Best Practices and Backup Strategy

🧠 Always back up your mnemonic securely (offline or in a fireproof safe).

🔒 Encrypt all exported keys and never leave them on an internet-connected machine.

🧪 Test your recovery plan at least once on a test machine.

⚙️ Use monitoring tools like Prometheus/Grafana for uptime and slash protection.

📁 Organize key material in a designated, protected folder with restricted permissions.

1. Create a Wallet Using the file Keyring#

2. Secure Your Wallet with Encryption#

3. Request SAF Test Tokens from the Faucet#

4. Register Your Validator Node#

Ensure Your Node Is Fully Synced#

Get Validator Consensus Public Key#

Create Configuration File#

Submit the Registration Transaction#

5. Update Validator Profile (Metadata)#

Example Command:#

Explanation:#

Setting Up Your Keybase ID#

6. Unjail a Validator (After Downtime)#

7. Restore Wallet from Mnemonic#

8. Redelegate to Reactivate an Unbonding Validator#

9. Validator Monitoring: Status, Balance, Rewards#

Check Validator Status#

Check Wallet Balance#

Query Delegator Rewards#

Withdraw Validator Rewards#

10. Best Practices and Backup Strategy#