> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://xorion-chain.gitbook.io/xorion-chain-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://xorion-chain.gitbook.io/xorion-chain-docs/the-xorion/validator-node.md).

# Validator Node

**Validators** participate in consensus and block production. 

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** You need sufficient stake and nomination to become an active validator.
{% endhint %}

**Validator Setup Process:**

1. **Generate Session Keys Locally (Recommended):**

   **Important:** The Xorion network requires three session keys in this specific order:

   * **BABE** (Sr25519) - for block authoring
   * **GRANDPA** (Ed25519) - for finality gadget
   * **Authority Discovery** (Sr25519) - for peer discovery

```
# Generate keys locally in the required order
# 1. BABE key (Sr25519)
./target/release/xorion-node key generate --scheme Sr25519 --keystore-path ./validator-keystore --key-type babe

# 2. GRANDPA key (Ed25519)
./target/release/xorion-node key generate --scheme Ed25519 --keystore-path ./validator-keystore --key-type gran

# 3. Authority Discovery key (Sr25519)
./target/release/xorion-node key generate --scheme Sr25519 --keystore-path ./validator-keystore --key-type audi
```

Alternative: Generate via RPC:

```
curl -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
     -d '{"id":1, "jsonrpc":"2.0", "method": "author_rotateKeys", "params":[]}' \
     http://localhost:9944
```

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** When using RPC generation, the returned hex string contains all three keys concatenated in the correct order (BABE, GRANDPA, and the Authority Discovery).
{% endhint %}

2. **Generate Node Key**

```
./target/release/xorion-node key generate-node-key --file node-key
```

Use the generated `node-key` file and `validator-keystore` to start the validator node.

```
./target/release/xorion-node \
  --chain xorion-spec.json \
  --base-path ./xorion-validator \
  --validator \
  --name "YourValidatorName" \
  --blocks-pruning 10000 \
  --state-pruning 10000 \
  --node-key-file ./node-key \
  --keystore-path ./validator-keystore \
  --public-addr /ip4/YOUR_PUBLIC_IP/tcp/30334
```

3. **Bond Your Tokens:**

* Go to [Network](https://scan.xorion.network/#/staking) > Staking > Account Actions
* Click "+ Stash" to start the bonding process
* Choose your **Stash account** (holds the funds to be bonded)
* Select your **Controller account** (can be the same as stash or different)
* Choose **Reward destination**:
  * **Stash account (increase amount at stake)**: Rewards compound automatically
  * **Controller account**: Rewards go to the controller, not staked automatically
  * **Specified payment account**: Send rewards to any account you choose
* Enter the amount to bond (leave some for transaction fees)
* Submit the bonding transaction

4. **Set Session Keys:**

* After bonding, you'll see options to either "Session Key" or "Nominate"
* Click **"Session Key"**
* Enter the session keys (the hex string from step 1)
* Submit the transaction and wait for confirmation

5. **Start Validating:**

* Once session keys are set correctly, the **"Validate"** option will appear
* Click "Validate"
* Set your **validator preferences**:
  * **Reward commission**: Percentage you keep from nominator rewards (0-100%)
  * **Blocked nominators**: Option to block specific nominators
* Submit the validated transaction
* Your validator will be active in the next era if you have enough stake

{% hint style="info" %}
**Important Notes:**

* Your bonded funds will be **locked** for the unbonding period (typically 28 days)
* You need a minimum stake to be in the active validator set
* Session keys should be kept secure and backed up safely
  {% endhint %}

**Security Setup For Validators:**

```
# Validator node (private, no RPC)
./target/release/xorion-node \
  --chain xorion-spec.json \
  --base-path ./xorion-validator \
  --validator \
  --name "YourValidatorName" \
  --node-key-file ./node-key \
  --keystore-path ./validator-keystore \ 
  --reserved-only \
  --reserved-nodes /ip4/SENTRY_IP/tcp/30333/p2p/SENTRY_PEER_ID
```

For more information, visit the [Xorion Network Connection Guide](https://github.com/XORIONCHAIN/xorion-main?tab=readme-ov-file#xorion-network-connection-guide).


---

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