Prerequisites for becoming a Starknet validator

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Overview

Welcome to the first installment of the Become a Starknet validator guide! ✅

Following this guide requires Docker, an exported Ethereum URL and three exported Starknet account. This installment of the guide will therefore walk you through installing Docker and exporting an Ethereum URL and the required accounts.

Installing docker

The easiest option to run a Starknet full node is using Docker. To install Docker, simply visit docs.docker.com/get-started/get-docker and choose whatever OS you’re using.

Exporting an Ethereum URL

Running a Starknet full node requires an Ethereum websocket RPC URL. You can get your free Ethereum websocket RPC URL by creating an account with Alchemy, Infura, or Quicknode. Afterwhich, you can export it by running:

export ETHEREUM_URL=<YOUR_URL>

Exporting accounts

Becoming a Starknet validator requires three accounts deployed on either Sepolia or Mainnet. To follow this guide, these account should be configured as follows:

To understand the role of the each account, read more about validator addresses in the staking protocol.

  • An account with its address exported using:

    export OPERATIONAL_ADDRESS=<YOUR_OPERATOR_ADDRESS>

    As this guide uses local signing for block attestations, the account whose address is exported as OPERATIONAL_ADDRESS must not be protected (e.g., no Ready Wallet Guardian or Braavos hardware signer).

  • An account with its address exported using:

    export REWARDS_ADDRESS=<YOUR_REWARDEE_ACCOUNT_ADDRESS>

  • An sncast account named staker holding at least the minimum required amount of STRK tokens with its address exported using:

    export STAKING_ADDRESS=<YOUR_STAKER_ACCOUNT_ADDRESS>

    For deploying and funding an sncast account on Sepolia, see Deploying a new Sepolia account.