Type of Node

Erigon 3 introduces a flexible approach to node configuration, offering three distinct types to suit various user needs. Depending on your need, you can choose from three different node types.

Usage	Minimal Node	Full Node	Archive Node
Privacy, RPC	Yes	Yes	Yes
Contribute to network	No	Yes	Yes
Research	No	No	Yes
Staking	Yes	Yes	Yes

In order to switch type of node, you must first delete the /chaindata folder in the chosen --datadir directory.

Persisting receipts, which are pre-calculated receipts, are enabled by default for minimal and full node. To disable them and use the flag --persist.receipts=false.

Minimal node

Erigon 3 implements support for EIP-4444 through its minimal node configuration, enabled by the flag --prune.mode=minimal. For example:

./build/bin/erigon --prune.mode=minimal

Minimal node is suitable for users with constrained hardware who wants to achieve more privacy during their interaction with EVM, like for example sending transactions with your node. Minimal node is also suitable for staking.

Full node

Erigon 3 is full node by default (--prune.mode=full). This configuration delivers faster sync times and reduced resource consumption for everyday operation, maintaining essential data while reducing storage requirements. We recommend running a full node whenever possible, as it supports the network's decentralization, resilience, and robustness, aligning with Ethereum's trustless and distributed ethos. Given the reduced disk space requirements of Erigon 3, the full node configuration is suitable for the majority of users.

Archive node

Ethereum's state refers to account balances, contracts, and consensus data. Archive nodes retain all historical state and require significantly more disk space. They are typically used for block explorers or deep analytical queries. They provide comprehensive historical data, making them optimal for conducting extensive research on the chain, ranging from searching for old states of the EVM to implementing advanced block explorers, such as Otterscan, and undertaking development activities.

Erigon 3 has consistently reduced the disk space requirements for running an archive node, rendering it more affordable and accessible to a broader range of users. To run an archive node use the flag --prune.mode=archive.