> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.starknet.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Help secure Starknet guide overview

## Introduction

Welcome to the official *Help secure Starknet* guide! 🛡️

This comprehensive tutorial will walk you through the entire process of becoming a Starknet validator, from meeting the prerequisites to successfully running your validator node. While Starknet is currently still centralized, it is gradually moving towards employing a staking protocol, handing over the responsibilities of producing, attesting, and proving blocks to validators.

By the end of this guide, you'll have hands-on experience with the core tools and processes needed to participate in Starknet's decentralized validation network.

## What you'll learn

This guide is structured as a series of interconnected tutorials that build upon each other:

* [Running a full node](/secure/quickstart/running-a-node) - Setting up and maintaining your validator node

* [Becoming a validator](/secure/quickstart/becoming-a-validator) - How to stake your tokens to become eligible for validation

* [Attesting to blocks](/secure/quickstart/attesting-to-blocks) - Learn how to participate in block attestation as a validator

* [Recommended next steps](/secure/quickstart/next-steps) - Advanced topics and ongoing maintenance

## Prerequisites

Before starting this tutorial, you should have:

* Basic familiarity with command-line interfaces and server administration
* A computer or server running Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+ recommended)
* Sufficient STRK tokens for staking (minimum requirements vary)
* A reliable internet connection for node synchronization
* Understanding of blockchain concepts and validation mechanisms

Some experience with running blockchain nodes is helpful but not required - this guide covers the essentials!

## Getting help

If you encounter any issues while following this guide:

1. Review the [Starknet staking specifications](/learn/protocol/staking) for technical details
2. Join our [Telegram support channel](https://t.me/+CLZl_F_Nj2RlNjU0) for validator-specific questions
3. Ask for help in the [Starknet Discord community](https://discord.gg/starknet-community)
4. Browse the [Starknet community forum](https://community.starknet.io/) for additional resources