Running VANA Validator & Deploy Token Contract (EP1)

If you’ve read my previous articles, you’ll know that my magic number for airdrop is any project with $20+ million in funding. Well, here…

Pokoblue

— 8 min read
Running VANA Validator & Deploy Token Contract (EP1)

If you’ve read my previous articles, you’ll know that my magic number for airdrop is any project with $20+ million in funding. Well, here we are: Vana has secured $25 million in Series A funding. With the next bull run, what would you expect in the following funding rounds?

Today, I’ll focus on setting up a validator node. The workflow below might look complicated, but trust me — if I can do it, so can you.

Long story short:

  • Setup: Install prerequisites, configure MetaMask, and create wallets.
  • DLP Contract: Generate keys, deploy contracts, and configure the DLP.
  • Validator: Register the validator and run it in service mode.

Before I begin, I’d like to give a shoutout to Joseph Tran. I’ve learned a lot from his guide: https://service.josephtran.xyz/testnet/vana/installation. It’s always my go-to resource when installing a node.

1. Initial setup

1.1 Install prerequisites

We will install git, python, poetry, node.js and npm.

#install git curl 
sudo apt update 
sudo apt install software-properties-common 
sudo apt install git curl 
 
#install python 
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:deadsnakes/ppa 
sudo apt update 
sudo apt install python3.11 python3.11-venv python3.11-dev 
 
#install poetry 
curl -sSL https://install.python-poetry.org | python3 - 
echo 'export PATH="$HOME/.local/bin:$PATH"' >> $HOME/.bash_profile 
source $HOME/.bash_profile 
poetry --version 
 
#install npm  
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.0/install.sh | bash 
echo 'export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"' >> $HOME/.bash_profile 
echo '[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"  # This loads nvm' >> $HOME/.bash_profile 
echo '[ -s "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion"  # This loads nvm bash_completion' >> $HOME/.bash_profile 
source $HOME/.bash_profile 
nvm install --lts 
node -v 
npm -v

Installing all these components takes less than 5 minutes. Ensure there are no errors. I always use a fresh virtual machine for each node to avoid package dependency issues. If you’re running multiple nodes on the same machine, be aware of potential conflicts, especially with node and Python versions. Plan accordingly!!!

1.2 Install Vana-dlp-chatgp

Next, we will install vana-dlp-chatgpt and vana-CLI. It will take about 3-5 minutes depending your internet speed.

#close vana-dlp-chatgpt 
git clone https://github.com/vana-com/vana-dlp-chatgpt.git 
cd vana-dlp-chatgpt 
 
#Install python dependency tool (this is your real life saver) 
poetry install

Next, install node version manager (nvm)

# get files 
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.0/install.sh | bash 
 
#set env variable 
echo 'export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"' >> $HOME/.bash_profile 
echo '[ -s "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh"  # This loads nvm' >> $HOME/.bash_profile 
echo '[ -s "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion" ] && \. "$NVM_DIR/bash_completion"  # This loads nvm bash_completion' >> $HOME/.bash_profile 
 
source $HOME/.bash_profile 
 
#install 
nvm install --lts 
 
#check version- 
node -v 
npm -v

You should get this:

1.3 Install pip & Vana CLI

This part was tricky for me because I did a fresh Python install, which included PEP 668, requiring a virtual environment to manage pip. In short, it’s a more secure approach that helps manage Python in the long run.

It seems that pip versions before 22.3.1 don’t have this issue since PEP 668 wasn’t implemented yet. So, if you’re using pip version 22.3.1 or earlier, you can skip straight to the Vana CLI installation command.

#This part is option if your pip is V22.3.1 or lower 
#install venv managed library 
sudo apt install python3.12-venv 
 
#create virtual environment 
python3 -m venv myenv 
 
#Activate 
source myenv/bin/activate

Install Vana CLI

pip install vana

expected result:

1.4 Create Wallet

We’ll create coldkey and hotkey wallets using the command line. Afterward, we’ll import them into MetaMask using the private key (not the mnemonic).

  • Coldkey: This will be used for staking.
  • Hotkey: This will be used by the validator to manage transactions.

This single command line below will help you create both wallets.

vanacli wallet create --wallet.name default --wallet.hotkey default

There are two tables showing the mnemonic keys. Write them down offline — do not copy them to any online tools like Notepad, Notion or other cloud services. If you do, I might find your house (joking). But hackers won’t joke — they can easily access and drain your wallet. Imagine you’re eligible for the airdrop, but when you claim it, all the tokens are automatically transferred to a hacker. That’s the last thing I want to happen to anyone.

Next, we will export private key of both wallets and restore them in metamask.

#Export command 
vanacli wallet export_private_key

Once you enter the command, you’ll need to specify the wallet name and key type.

  • Wallet name: default
  • Key type: coldkey

The command is the same for both cold and hot wallet keys. Just repeat the process for the hot wallet key.

Import both cold and hot wallet private key to metamask.

Also, add testnet to metamask

1.5 Fund your wallet with VANA

For this step, it is quite easy. Just head over to https://faucet.vana.org to get VANA token. I got 0.5 NAVA every 24hr.

2. Create DLP

2.1 Create encryption key

In this process, we’re generating a PGP key pair to encrypt and sign data, which is similar to installing SSL/TLS for securing a website. Just like SSL/TLS secures web traffic using a public/private key pair, PGP does the same for encrypting files or communications, but it’s more general-purpose and not limited to web domains.

./keygen.sh

Image below show prompt and output:

The output contains two sets of keys: a public key and a private key. Both keys are provided in two formats — readable ASCII and Base64-encoded:

  • public_key.asc: The public key (ASCII format).
  • public_key_base64.asc: The Base64-encoded public key.
  • private_key.asc: The private key (ASCII format).
  • private_key_base64.asc: The Base64-encoded private key.

2.2 Deploy contract

Here comes the fun part! We’ll install some dependencies, clone, and set up the smart contract for your coin. Now’s the time to start imagining what meme coin name you want to create. “Pokoblue”

#Navigate to your home directory 
cd $HOME 
 
#git clone 
git clone https://github.com/vana-com/vana-dlp-smart-contracts.git 
 
#navigate inside smart contract directory 
cd vana-dlp-smart-contracts 
 
#install yarn 
npm install -g yarn 
yarn --version 
yarn install

Next, we’ll configure the settings. There’s a sample file called .env.example; simply copy it and rename it to .env to make it a real configuration file

#copy file 
cp .env.example .env 
 
#nano 
nano .env

Config your coldkey wallet public and private key. (step 1.4)

Save and exit. Next, we will deploy the contract.

Before proceeding, make sure your coldkey wallet has some VANA from the faucet. You’ll need it for gas fees.

#deploy contract 
npx hardhat deploy --network satori --tags DLPDeploy

We will use hardhat to deploy contract. Just run the command above. The result should be something like this.

Next, we will verify the DLP what we have deployed. (use 2nd address in the pic above)

#replace 0x with your address 
npx hardhat verify --network satori 0x2b0F66D5153026d99cEf7bADADC4E4e987a6a910

You will have to verify the Token smart contract also. (1st address in the pic)

npx hardhat verify --network satori <DataLiquidityPoolToken address> "<DLP_TOKEN_NAME>" <DLP_TOKEN_SYMBOL> <OWNER_ADDRESS>

2.3 Config ABI

Next, we’ll interact with the contract via the explorer. Visit the following URL and input your contract:

url: https://satori.vanascan.io/

Connect your coldkey wallet to the explorer, navigate to the ‘Contract’ tab, and select ‘Write Proxy.’ You’ll interact with two methods (ensure you have enough VANA for gas fees).

For the 4.addRewardsForContributors, set the value to 1000000000000000000000000 (1 Million) token.

For 24.updateFileRewardDelay, set the value to 0 and click 'Write.' MetaMask will prompt you to sign the transaction.

3. Register Validator

3.1 Fund Validator with DLP Tokens

Fund the validator with DLP tokens. Using MetaMask, send at least 10 of the tokens you created to both your coldkey and hotkey wallets. For my token, Pokoblue (symbol: PKB), I sent 100,000 PKB. You’ll need to send at least 10 of your own tokens.

3.2 Setup .env

Before we runnign the validator, we have to setup the .env file to make thing run properly.

#navigate to 
cd $HOME\vana-dlp-chatgpt 
 
#nano 
nano .env

Next, past the following and change the parameters

# The network to use, currently Vana Satori testnet 
OD_CHAIN_NETWORK=satori 
OD_CHAIN_NETWORK_ENDPOINT=https://rpc.satori.vana.org 
 
# Optional: OpenAI API key for additional data quality check 
# For this OpenAI API key, I get it from chatgpt website.  
# You might skip this since this is optional in the parameter 
# OPENAI_API_KEY="YOUR_OPENAI_API_KEY" 
 
#Your own DLP smart contract address once deployed to the network, useful for local testing 
#DataLiquidityPool address 
DLP_SATORI_CONTRACT="0x......YOUR_DLP_CONTRACT_POOL" 
 
#Your own DLP token contract address once deployed to the network, useful for local testing 
#DataLiquidityPoolToken address 
DLP_TOKEN_SATORI_CONTRACT="0x.....YOUR_DLP_TOKEN_CONTRACT" 
 
# The private key for the DLP 
# I got it from public_key_base64.asc 
PRIVATE_FILE_ENCRYPTION_PUBLIC_KEY_BASE64=".............Your Private Key ..............=="

3.3 Register Validator

#navigate to vana-dlp-chatgpt 
cd $HOME/vana-dlp-chatgpt 
 
#run!!! 
./vanacli dlp register_validator --stake_amount 10

My Result:

#Approve validator 
./vanacli dlp approve_validator --validator_address=<your hotkey address from Metamask>

3.4 Run Validator

Here the moment of truth. Run this command.

poetry run python -m chatgpt.nodes.validator

You should get this:

From the log, if you see ‘INFO — no files to verify,’ that should be normal. At the very least, you should see some successful transactions. Congratulations!

3.5 Register the validation in quest:

Head over to the website and follow the instructions. I recommend creating a new ChatGPT account since the quest will ask you to input your wallet address in ChatGPT and verify it by exporting data. Then, uploading it in the qeust website.

In my case, the exported data was almost 18MB and included all my conversations. For this testing purposes, I prefer not to share that information.

Quest: https://dlp-ui.vercel.vana.com/claim/upload

After the upload, let wait for verification.

That’s all for today. I hope you can successfully run your validator node. If you have any questions or get stuck somewhere, you can head over to Discord, tag me, or ask for help from anyone.

Thank you for reading.

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