# Erigon

> Erigon is a high-performance Ethereum execution client known for its efficiency,
> modularity, and minimal disk footprint. It features an integrated consensus layer
> (Caplin), BitTorrent-based historical data distribution, and fast node synchronization.

- [Introduction](https://docs.erigon.tech/): Official documentation for Erigon — the efficient, modular Ethereum execution client. Get started, explore the JSON-RPC API, and learn how to run a full or archive node.

## Get Started

- [Get Started](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started): Get your Erigon node running — hardware requirements, installation guides for binary, Docker, and source, and first-run walkthroughs.
- [Why using Erigon?](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started/why-using-erigon): Understand what makes Erigon different — performance benchmarks, disk savings, and architecture advantages over other clients.
- [Hardware Requirements](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started/hardware-requirements): Minimum and recommended specs for running Erigon on mainnet, testnets, and archive mode.
- [Migrating from Geth](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started/migrating-from-geth): Switch from go-ethereum to Erigon — what changes, what stays the same, and how to preserve your data.
- [Installation](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started/installation): Install Erigon from pre-built binaries, Docker, or source — step-by-step guides for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- [Upgrading from a previous version](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started/installation/upgrading): Upgrade from a previous version of Erigon without losing chain data or your configuration.
- [Easy Nodes](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started/easy-nodes): Easy Nodes — one-command guided setup for Ethereum mainnet and Gnosis Chain nodes with sensible defaults.
- [How to run an Ethereum node](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started/easy-nodes/how-to-run-an-ethereum-node): Run a full Ethereum mainnet node using Caplin (built-in consensus layer) or connect an external CL client.
- [Ethereum with an external CL](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started/easy-nodes/how-to-run-an-ethereum-node/ethereum-with-an-external-cl): Connect Lighthouse, Prysm, or another consensus client to Erigon for a full Ethereum node.
- [How to run a Gnosis Chain node](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started/easy-nodes/how-to-run-a-gnosis-chain-node): Run a full Gnosis Chain node with Erigon's embedded consensus layer or an external CL client.
- [Gnosis Chain with an external CL](https://docs.erigon.tech/get-started/easy-nodes/how-to-run-a-gnosis-chain-node/gnosis-with-an-external-cl): Connect an external consensus layer client to Erigon for a Gnosis Chain full or validator node.

## Fundamentals

- [Fundamentals](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals): Core concepts for running Erigon — modules, CLI flags, pruning modes, database internals, and node configuration.
- [Basic Usage](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/basic-usage): Command-line flags, common arguments, and first steps running the Erigon binary.
- [Architecture](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/architecture): How Erigon is built — staged sync, modular processes, flat-DB on MDBX, immutable snapshots, and an embedded consensus layer.
- [Database](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/database): How Erigon stores chain data — MDBX engine, datadir layout, snapshot files, and real mainnet sizing numbers.
- [Pruning Modes](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/pruning-modes): Full, minimal, blocks, and archive pruning modes explained — choose the right mode for your use case.
- [Snapshots Management](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/snapshots-management): Understand and manage Erigon snapshot files — check disk usage by category, compare node type estimates, and migrate to v3.5 snapshot formats.
- [Caplin](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/caplin): Erigon's built-in consensus layer — run a full node without an external CL client.
- [CLI Reference](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/configuring-erigon): Complete CLI flag reference for Erigon — all startup options, environment variables, and configuration settings.
- [Supported Networks](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/supported-networks): Mainnet, testnets, Gnosis, Polygon, and all other chains Erigon can sync.
- [Layer 2 Networks](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/layer-2-networks): Running Erigon alongside an OP-node, and Erigon Nitro for Arbitrum.
- [Default ports](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/default-ports): Default listening ports for each Erigon service and how to override them.
- [NAT](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/nat): Configure NAT traversal settings for proper peer discovery behind routers and firewalls.
- [Optimizing Storage](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/optimizing-storage): Pruning, snapshots, and techniques to minimize disk footprint.
- [Performance Tricks](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/performance-tricks): OS-level tuning, memory settings, and tips to maximize sync throughput.
- [Multiple instances / One machine](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/multiple-instances): Running several Erigon instances on a single machine without conflict.
- [Logs](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/logs): Log levels, structured logging, and how to interpret Erigon output.
- [Security](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/security): Firewall rules, API exposure best practices, and hardening recommendations.
- [JWT Secret](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/jwt): Generating and configuring the JWT secret for Engine API communication.
- [TLS Authentication](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/tls-authentication): Mutual TLS setup for securing gRPC and RPC daemon endpoints.
- [MCP Server](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/mcp): Model Context Protocol server for AI-assisted node interaction and queries.
- [Otterscan](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/otterscan): Integrating Otterscan, the lightweight block explorer built for Erigon.
- [Creating a dashboard](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/creating-a-dashboard): Prometheus metrics export and Grafana dashboard setup for node monitoring.
- [Docker Compose](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/docker-compose): Running Erigon and all its modules with Docker Compose.
- [web3 Wallet](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/web3-wallet): Connecting MetaMask and other web3 wallets to a local Erigon node.
- [Modules](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/modules): Erigon's modular architecture — independent components including the RPC daemon, downloader, sentry, and txpool.
- [RPC Daemon](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/modules/rpc-daemon): The RPCdaemon module: serving JSON-RPC requests as a separate, remoteable process.
- [TxPool](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/modules/txpool): The txpool module: managing the pending transaction pool as a standalone service.
- [Sentry](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/modules/sentry): The sentry module: Erigon's network-facing peer-to-peer communication layer.
- [Downloader](https://docs.erigon.tech/fundamentals/modules/downloader): The downloader module: fetching and verifying Erigon snapshots from the BitTorrent network.

## Interacting with Erigon

- [Interacting with Erigon](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon): Complete API reference for Erigon — JSON-RPC namespaces, GraphQL, and gRPC interfaces for querying and controlling your node.
- [eth](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/eth): Standard Ethereum JSON-RPC methods: blocks, transactions, state, logs, and filters.
- [erigon](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/erigon): Erigon-specific extensions to the standard JSON-RPC API.
- [engine](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/engine): Engine API for consensus layer communication, used by CL clients post-Merge.
- [web3](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/web3): web3_ namespace: client version info and SHA3 hash utilities.
- [net](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/net): net_ namespace: network ID, peer count, and node listening status.
- [debug](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/debug): debug_ namespace: execution traces, storage inspection, and profiling tools.
- [trace](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/trace): trace_ namespace: OpenEthereum-compatible transaction and block traces.
- [txpool](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/txpool): txpool_ namespace: inspect pending and queued transactions in the mempool.
- [admin](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/admin): admin_ namespace: peer management, node info, and datadir inspection.
- [bor](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/bor): bor_ namespace: Polygon-specific APIs for Bor consensus layer interaction.
- [ots](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/ots): ots_ namespace: Otterscan block explorer extensions for efficient state queries.
- [internal](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/internal): internal_ namespace: node internals and low-level diagnostic endpoints.
- [gRPC](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/grpc): High-performance binary interface for programmatic Erigon access via gRPC.
- [overlay](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/overlay): overlay_ namespace: historical state access optimized for archive queries.
- [parity](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/parity): parity_ namespace: OpenEthereum-compatible API for cross-client tooling.
- [GraphQL](https://docs.erigon.tech/interacting-with-erigon/graphql): GraphQL interface for flexible, schema-driven Ethereum data queries.

## Staking

- [Staking](https://docs.erigon.tech/staking): Run an Ethereum validator with Erigon — use the embedded Caplin consensus layer or connect an external CL client like Lighthouse or Prysm.
- [Using Caplin as Validator](https://docs.erigon.tech/staking/caplin): Configure Erigon's embedded consensus layer to act as a full validator node without any external CL dependency.
- [Using an external consensus client as validator](https://docs.erigon.tech/staking/external-consensus-client-as-validator): Connect Lighthouse, Prysm, Teku, or Nimbus to Erigon via the Engine API for split EL/CL validator setups.
- [Shutter Network](https://docs.erigon.tech/staking/shutter-network): Privacy-preserving mempool protection — integrate Shutter Network to shield validator transactions from MEV.

## About

- [About](https://docs.erigon.tech/about): About Erigon — open-source license, contribution guidelines, and project information.
- [Contributing](https://docs.erigon.tech/about/contributing): How to contribute code, report bugs, write docs, and submit pull requests to the Erigon project.
- [License](https://docs.erigon.tech/about/license): Erigon's open-source licensing terms and third-party attribution.
- [Disclaimer](https://docs.erigon.tech/about/disclaimer): Important notices about software maturity, stability expectations, and intended use.

## Help Center

- [Help Center](https://docs.erigon.tech/help-center): Troubleshooting guides, FAQs, and support resources for Erigon node operators.
- [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)](https://docs.erigon.tech/help-center/frequently-asked-questions-faqs): Answers to the most common questions about installing, syncing, and operating Erigon.
- [Troubleshooting](https://docs.erigon.tech/help-center/troubleshooting): Step-by-step diagnostic guides for the most frequent runtime and sync issues.
- [Known Issues](https://docs.erigon.tech/help-center/known-issues): Current confirmed bugs, limitations, and active workarounds for this release.
- [Best Practices](https://docs.erigon.tech/help-center/best-practices): Recommended configurations, operational patterns, and tips for stable long-running nodes.
- [Common Errors and Solutions](https://docs.erigon.tech/help-center/common-errors-and-solutions): Error messages decoded — causes explained and actionable fixes provided.
- [Glossary of Key Terms](https://docs.erigon.tech/help-center/glossary-of-key-terms): Definitions of Erigon-specific and Ethereum ecosystem terminology used throughout the docs.

## Source

- [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/erigontech/erigon): Main source code repository
- [Releases](https://github.com/erigontech/erigon/releases): Download binaries and release notes
- [Docker Hub](https://hub.docker.com/r/erigontech/erigon): Official Docker images