# Guide - Validator

Note: URLs are different for devnet, testnet and mainnet, always check the [Official Links](/tensorplex-docs/tensorplex-dojo-bittensor-subnet/official-links.md)!

To get started as a miner or validator, these are the common steps both a miner and validator have to go through.

***

## Getting Started

{% hint style="info" %}
Important

This setup guide uses specific tools to ensure a smooth installation process:

* [fnm](https://github.com/Schniz/fnm) for managing Node.js & npm versions (required for PM2)
* [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/) and [Docker Compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/)
  {% endhint %}

> Please ensure these prerequisites are installed on your system before proceeding with the installation steps, these are needed by both **validators and miners**.

1. Clone the project,

```bash
# In this guide, we will utilize the ~/opt directory as our preferred location.
cd ~/opt

# Clone the project
git clone https://github.com/tensorplex-labs/dojo.git
cd dojo/
```

2. Install PM2, one way is through fnm

```bash
# for linux, a convenience script is available
./scripts/setup/install_pm2.sh

# for mac/linux (if you do not trust the bash script)
curl -fsSL https://fnm.vercel.app/install | bash
# for windows, choose 1 of the following,
# based on https://github.com/Schniz/fnm?#manually
cargo install fnm
choco install fnm
scoop install fnm
winget install Schniz.fnm

# run any post-install shell setup scripts
# based on https://github.com/Schniz/fnm?#shell-setup

# assuming we are using zsh
echo 'eval "$(fnm env --use-on-cd --shell zsh)"' >> ~/.zshrc
# you can tell what shell you're using by running:
echo $0

# verify fnm installation
fnm --version

# get npm & node, and verify npm installation
fnm install lst/iron && npm --version

# install pm2 and verify installation
npm install -g pm2 && pm2 --version
```

3. Install Docker & Docker Compose

For Docker installation, see <https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/> for instructions

For Docker Compose installation, see <https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/linux> for instructions

```bash
# for linux, a convenience script is available
./dojo/scripts/setup/install_docker.sh

# verify both docker and docker compose are installed
docker --version
docker compose version
```

4. Create your wallets if they aren't created yet

```bash
# run btcli
make btcli
# create your wallets
btcli wallet new_coldkey
btcli wallet new_hotkey
```

5. Get some TAO and ensure you have enough TAO to cover the registration cost

```bash
# for mainnet, check netuid 52
btcli s list 
# for testnet, check netuid 98
btcli s list --subtensor.network test
# output from the `btcli s list ...` command
NETUID    N    MAX_N   EMISSION  TEMPO  RECYCLE        POW       SUDO
 0      128   128.00   0.00%     10    τ1.00000     10.00 M     5C4hrfjw9DjXZTzV3MwzrrAr9P1MJhSrvWGWqi1eSuyUpnhM
...
 98     17    256.00   0.00%     360   τ0.00001  18446744.07 T  5GTAfh3YTcokxWdGc3DgLV5y3hHB4Bs5PQGqw9fEn1WrcwWP
...
```

Note

the "RECYCLE" column represents the subnet registration cost

7. Register to our subnet

```bash
# run the dockerized btcli
make btcli
# register your wallet to our subnet
# for mainnet
btcli s register --wallet.name coldkey --wallet.hotkey hotkey --netuid 52 --subtensor.network finney
# for testnet
btcli s register --wallet.name coldkey --wallet.hotkey hotkey --netuid 98 --subtensor.network test
```

***

## Validating

Copy the validator .env file and set up the .env file

```bash
# copy .env.validator.example
cp .env.validator.example .env

# edit the .env file with vim, vi or nano
# for mainnet
DOJO_API_BASE_URL="https://dojo-api.tensorplex.ai"

# for testnet - uncomment below line if you are using testnet
#DOJO_API_BASE_URL="https://dojo-api-testnet.tensorplex.ai"

# head to https://wandb.ai/authorize to get your API key
WANDB_API_KEY="<wandb_key>"

# for dojo-synthetic-api
OPENROUTER_API_KEY="sk-or-v1-<KEY>"

# Other LLM API providers, Optional or if you've chosen it over Openrouter
TOGETHER_API_KEY=
OPENAI_API_KEY=

# postgres details for validator
DB_HOST=postgres-vali:5432
DB_NAME=db
DB_USERNAME=
DB_PASSWORD=
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://${DB_USERNAME}:${DB_PASSWORD}@${DB_HOST}/${DB_NAME}
```

Start the validator

```bash
# start the validator
# for mainnet
make validator network=mainnet
# for testnet
make validator network=testnet
```


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.tensorplex.ai/tensorplex-docs/tensorplex-dojo-bittensor-subnet/guide-validator.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.