# How to run a Gnosis Chain node

## System Requirements

Follow the [Prerequisites](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/basic-usage/getting-started#prerequisites):

* For an [archive node](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/basic-usage/usage/type-of-node#archive-node) of Gnosis Chain mainnet: 1.7TB
* For a [full node](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/basic-usage/usage/type-of-node#full-node): 530GB

{% hint style="info" %}
**DO NOT USE HDD**: Hard Disk Drives (HDD) are not recommended for running Erigon, as it may cause the node to stay N blocks behind the chain tip and lead to performance issues.

**USE SSD or NVMe**: Solid State Drives (SSD) or Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe) drives are recommended for optimal performance. These storage devices provide faster read/write speeds and can handle the demanding requirements of an Erigon node.
{% endhint %}

## Install Erigon[​](https://wiki.polygon.technology/docs/pos/operate/node/erigon-client/#install-erigon-client) <a href="#install-erigon-client" id="install-erigon-client"></a>

For MacOS and Linux, run the following commands to build the latest Erigon version from source:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```bash
git clone --branch v2.61.3 --single-branch https://github.com/erigontech/erigon.git
cd erigon
make erigon
```

{% endcode %}

This should create the binary at `./build/bin/erigon`.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you are using Windows follow first the dedicated [installation](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/basic-usage/getting-started/windows)[ guide](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/basic-usage/getting-started/windows) or use [Docker](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/basic-usage/getting-started/docker).
{% endhint %}

## Start Erigon[​](https://wiki.polygon.technology/docs/pos/operate/node/erigon-client/#start-erigon-client) <a href="#start-erigon-client" id="start-erigon-client"></a>

Alongside Erigon you must use a  [Consensus Layer](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/advanced-usage/consensus-layer) like **Lighthouse**. This will also allow you to access the Ethereum blockchain directly and give you the possibility to stake your GNO and do [block production](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/advanced-usage/consensus-layer/block-production).

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Erigon with Lighthouse" %}
Start Erigon

```
./build/bin/erigon --chain=gnosis
```

Install Lighthouse, another popular client that can be used with Erigon for block building. Follow the instructions until the chapter **Build Lighthouse**, skipping the `make` instruction.

{% embed url="<https://lighthouse-book.sigmaprime.io/installation-source.html>" %}
Lighthouse installation instructions
{% endembed %}

Now compile Lighthouse in order to run Gnosis Chain using the [feature flags](https://lighthouse-book.sigmaprime.io/installation-source.html#feature-flags) :

```
cd lighthouse
env FEATURES=gnosis make
```

Because Erigon needs a target head in order to sync, Lighthouse must be synced before Erigon may synchronize. The fastest way to synchronize Lighthouse is to use one of the many public checkpoint synchronization endpoints:

* <https://checkpoint.gnosischain.com> for Gnosis Chain
* <https://checkpoint.chiadochain.net> for Chiado Testnet

In order to communicate with Erigon the execution endpoint `<erigon address>:8551` must be specified, where `<erigon address>` is either `//localhost` or the IP address of the device running Erigon.

Lighthouse must point to the [JWT secret](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/advanced-usage/consensus-layer/jwt-secret) automatically created by Erigon in the [datadir](#configure-erigon-client) directory (in the below example the default data directory is used).

Below is an example of Lighthouse running **Gnosis Chain**:

```
lighthouse \
--network gnosis beacon_node \
--datadir=data \
--http \
--execution-endpoint http://localhost:8551 \
--execution-jwt /home/admin/.local/share/erigon/jwt.hex \
--checkpoint-sync-url "https://checkpoint.gnosischain.com"
```

Below is an example of Lighthouse running **Chiado testnet**:

```
lighthouse \
--network chiado \
--datadir=data \
--http \
--execution-endpoint http://localhost:8551 \
--execution-jwt /home/admin/.local/share/erigon/jwt.hex \
--checkpoint-sync-url "https://checkpoint.chiadochain.net"
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Basic Configuration[​](https://wiki.polygon.technology/docs/pos/operate/node/erigon-client/#configure-erigon-client) <a href="#configure-erigon-client" id="configure-erigon-client"></a>

* If you want to store Erigon files in a non-default location, add flag `--datadir=<your_data_dir>`
  * Default data directory is */home/admin/.local/share/erigon*.
* `--prune=hrtc` to run a [full node](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/basic-usage/usage/type-of-node#full-node) with latest 90'000 blocks instead of an [archive node](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/basic-usage/usage/type-of-node#archive-node). If you change your mind remember to delete the `--datadir` folder content.
* For Gnosis Chain use `--chain=gnosis`, for Chiado testnet use  `--chain=chiado`.
* `--http.addr="0.0.0.0" --http.api=eth,web3,net,debug,trace,txpool` to use [RPC](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/advanced-usage/rpc-daemon) and e.g. be able to connect your [wallet](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/basic-usage/wallet).
* To increase download speed add `--torrent.download.rate=512mb` (default is 16mb)

To stop the Erigon node you can use the `CTRL+C` command. Additional flags can be added to [configure](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/advanced-usage/configure-erigon) the node with several [options](https://docs.erigon.tech/erigon/v2/advanced-usage/options).

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Block Production** (PoS Validator) is not supported/tested for Gnosis Chain (In Progress)
{% endhint %}