Here's a step-by-step guide to running some Autonomi nodes for the first time, and contributing your spare computer resources to the Network:

Starting a node (or even several) is easy, and will work on home computers just like yours. Here's how:

Upgrade using the Node Launchpad

Upgrading using the CLI

If you are a power user utilizing our CLI tool and want to upgrade your nodes to the latest version, first make sure you have the latest version of the Node Manger with the command:

Then, to begin upgrading your nodes, use the command:

Using the --interval 60000 argument will leave 60 seconds pause between upgrading each of your nodes. This is recommended for people running up to 50 nodes.

If you are running more than 50 nodes we'd recommend a longer interval of 90000 or more.

Find out how to…

1. Start by opening File Explorer and navigating to the View tab

1. Now click Options

1. Navigate to the View tab

1. Now click the box that says Show hidden files, folders, or drives, and proceed to select Apply then OK.

1. You can now see hidden files. You can see hidden files now appear dulled

When downloading the launchpad, some Mac users come into a security issue in which they can not open the file, but this is a easy fix.

1. Go to your Mac's System Settings

2. Navigate to Privacy & Security

3. Click Open Anyway to confirm you want to open the file despite the warning

1. Launchpad is designed to create a non-root ant user to manage node processes and store node data under the current user's ~/.local If you run as root, the structure gets created under /root/.local . The ant user does not have access to that directory, so the nodes cant start

2. You must run as root OR add a secondary hard drive or use another directory. Mount it and set permissions so that the ant user can access it. In LP, configure it to use the alternate path for nodes.

• ARB (Arbitrium): A popular Ethereum Layer 2 scaling solution that improves transaction speed and reduces costs by processing transactions off-chain.

• CEX (Centralized Exchange): An exchange that is run by a company or organization that controls the platform, facilitates crypto trading, and manages user transactions.

• dApp (Decentralized Application): Applications built to run on a decentralized network, such as Autonomi, that operate without a central authority.

• DEX (Decentralized Exchange): A peer-to-peer cryptocurrency exchange that allows users to trade directly without the need for a centralized intermediary, often without requiring KYC verification. Popular DEXs include Uniswap and SushiSwap.

• ERC-20 (Ethereum Request for Comment 20): A widely adopted technical standard for creating and issuing tokens on the Ethereum blockchain. ERC-20 tokens are interoperable with Ethereum's ecosystem and are the foundation for many dApps. This is the tech standard used for eMAID and the upcoming Autonomi token.

• ETH (Ethereum): A leading blockchain platform that supports smart contracts and dApps, with Ether (ETH) being its native cryptocurrency.

• EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine): The environment in which all Ethereum smart contracts and dApps run, executing decentralized code as part of the Ethereum blockchain. It ensures consistency and enables interoperability across different Ethereum-compatible networks (such as ARB).

• ICO (Initial Coin Offering): A fundraising mechanism in which a company or project offers new cryptocurrencies or tokens to investors in exchange for established cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin or Ethereum) or fiat money. In the case of Autonomi, the ICO was the MaidSafe crowdsale back in April 2014.

• MM (MetaMask): A popular cryptocurrency wallet and gateway to decentralized applications (dApps) that allows users to manage, store, and trade their digital assets securely. Including Autonomi's Network Token.

• TGE (Token Generation Event): The moment when a project's tokens are created and distributed to investors and participants. For Autonomi, this is scheduled to take place on the 6th of February 2025.

When adding nodes using the Node Manager CLI tool, you must specify an Ethereum Wallet Address to receive the tokens your node earns, along with the Atbitrum one Network.

Here's how to add your wallet…

antctl add <as before> --rewards-address <wallet address> evm-arbitrum-one

Full list of arguments

As a reminder, here's the full list of args your can include when adding nodes:

antctl add (with the following args)
  --count <# of nodes>      => If not specified, only a single node is added
  --rewards-address <your ethereum wallet address> evm-arbitrum-sepolia => Must be specified to store your earned attos. Note: this is also the address where your rewards will be paid after the TGE in after January 2025.
  --data-dir-path <path>    => optional, if you have a second hard disk where you want to store the data to.
  --log-dir-path <path>     => optional, path to store the log files.
  --home-network            => optional, if you're behind a NAT/home router/without port forwarding
  --upnp                    => optional, if you have enabled upnp in your router, mutually exclusive with home-network
  --node-port <single/range of ports> => If --home-network or --upnp is not provided, then you have to portforward a set of ports and provide them here. We accept a single port i.e., 12000 or a range i.e., 12000-12010. The number of ports here should match the number of nodes speicified using --count
  --enable-metrics-server   => optional, if you want the stats to be displayed inside the launchpad

When you start your nodes they begin the work of providing resources to the Network, storing existing data chunks, and checking the work of other nodes too. By running nodes, you're already helping build the new Internet, right from the start, so thank you!

Nodes earn ANT when they receive and store some new data chunks when they are uploaded. Which nodes will receive the new data, and therefore the tokens, is entirely random. That's part of the security design of the Network.

What we can say, though, is that over time all nodes that are working reliably will eventually receive payments. It's just a matter of time. How long, depends on the size of the Network, and how much new data is being uploaded.

Some things to check…

It's still worth checking that your nodes are operating properly, particularly if you are using a typical home router.

Problems for nodes in some home networks

Some nodes operating from behind typical home network routers, and in particular those supplied by ISPs, often need a helping hand to get onto the Autonomi Network. Other nodes help them do this by acting as relays.

There is a known issue where the Network is being to conservative in allowing nodes to join through relays, meaning that some people are unable to have their nodes connect, and earn ANT, despite them getting them up and running.

You can check if this issue is affecting your nodes by taking a look at the logs.

This error can occur when trying to install the Autonomi Node Launchpad on Windows.

This typically happens with a new clean Windows install, or image, or when setting up a new computer for the first time.

Thankfully there is a simple solution: Install the Microsoft Visual C++ redistributable.

1. To solve this, hit the Windows key and search for "services.msc" and click it

2. Scroll down to "antnode"

1. Now hit the Windows key and type "CMD", and right click it to "Run as Administrator"

2. Type in CMD: "sc delete antnode1" (Note: you may need to do "sc delete safenode1" as well)

3. Do this for all the services you see in Step 2

4. Relaunch LP, reset your nodes, and start them back up.

Here's how your can disable the anti-virus software for the Node Launchpad, and safely install it

To remedy this, we need to disable the anti-virus software.

1. Head to Control Panel -> Systems and Security -> Windows Defender Firewall -> Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.

2. Now make sure to click the 2 boxes to turn off the firewall (pictured below), and click OK.

1. Once that is complete, you will be able to download and extract the node-launchpad.exe file.

2. Next, hit the Windows key and search for Virus & threat protection. Now click Manage settings (pictured below).

1. Now you need to click Add or remove exclusions (pictured below).

1. Now you need to click + Add an exclusion (pictured below) -> File -> then select the path of your EXE file.

1. Now turn your firewall back on (pictured below). Now you should be all set to run the EXE. Remembering to run it as an administrator.

To Access the Logs for each of your Nodes

To Access the Launchpad's Logs

The launchpad app itself also keeps logs. These are useful to access when the app crashes, or has other problems, and will help us fix and improve the experience. So if you are asked to provide these by a member of the team, here's how to do that

1. Delete the "safe" and "autonomi" folders found at:

C:\Users\YOURCOMPUTERNAME\AppData\Roaming\safe

C:\Users\YOURCOMPUTERNAME\AppData\Roaming\autonomi

1. Delete the following folders found at:

C:\ProgramData\safenode

C:\ProgramData\safenode-manager

C:\ProgramData\antnode

C:\ProgramData\antctl

C:\ProgramData\service-manager

1. Reinstall Launchpad and run it as a administrator

Autonomi nodes are designed to be run on everyday devices, so we can all contribute to an alternative future of the Internet with the devices we already have and not just rely on data centres and specialised equipment.

We’d encourage you to give it a go regardless of what system you are running. Members of our Forum community regularly operate nodes on everything from RaspberryPis, to gaming PCs, old laptops, and even some adapted phones!

But as a starting point, we’ve built the Node Launchpad to run on the following systems with ease.

Windows (Windows 10+), Mac (MacOS 14 Sonoma), and Linux (Ubuntu 24.04) computers with:

• 4 core CPU: Intel, AMD or Apple

• 8 GB ram

• At least 35 GB spare hard drive space

• 8 Mbps Up/Down Internet service

Compatible Wallets

You'll also need a Ethereum Wallet to receive and hold tokens earned by your node.

Any Ethereum address can be used here, but you'll need to set up a app in order to be able to see and use any tokens you earn.

We've got a on how to do that.

This is a common error many CLI users face, it is an easy fix. In the below instance, the user wanted to open 40 ports, but accidently opened 41 ports. Adjust the range from 45000-45040 to 45000-45039.

The time has finally come. With the long-awaited Token Generation Event behind us, the economy of the Autonomi Network is alive and kicking. Real are being earned by nodes, traded on , and used to upload and store data on the network.

If you're here for the first time and want to contribute some spare space—and earn ANT for doing so— you can follow our .

Or if you've already been running nodes on the Network until this point, here are the steps you need to take to get them connected and earning live tokens, and the follow-on steps needed to see ANT in your wallet.

Reset Your Nodes

Update Your Wallet

Now that the Network is operating with real ANTs, you'll update your wallet to be able to see your tokens on the live network. You can keep the very same wallet address you have been using, but you'll need to , and then too.

The easiest way to contribute your spare capacity to the Autonomi Beta Network is with the Node Launchpad. It’s a small application that allows you to run several nodes on your computer that run in the background while you get on with other things.

Download the Node Launchpad (v0.5.10):

For Power Users

If you are comfortable with Command Line Interfaces and want to run nodes on headless devices, or on more advanced setups such as virtual environments or remote servers, starting and managing many nodes at once, then try our .

Report an Issue in Discord

You can also report an issue and get direct team support right in Discord:

Use the /help command to report an issue and launch a DM thread with the support team.

Email Support

You can contact the Autonomi team directly for support by emailing:

We are a small and busy team though, so please be patient, and kind!

Community Support

We have a helpful, passionate and deeply knowledgeable community that often offers the most rapid support.

Ask for help via the dedicated , or in our longstanding .

Occasionally, you might need to reset the Nodes on your device. This might be if they have stopped functioning properly or if it's needed to update their code.

As shown in the screenshot, the Launchpad appears to report an upload of 0, while downloads are visible. This is a graphical issue. Simply resize the Launchpad window to display the information correctly.