Run one of the first nodes on the Reality network
We're opening a limited cohort of 20–30 technical operators to run a validator node, stress-test consensus, and help us catch what's broken before the network opens more broadly. It's a temporary, hands-on phase — once our SaaS frontend ships, node operation won't be required to participate.
How the program works
Apply
Tell us about your technical background — OS, command-line/Docker comfort, and why you want to help validate the network.
Get onboarded
Accepted operators get a private network invite and setup scripts directly from our team — not a public download.
Run your node
Install Java 17, connect to the private network, and run one script to generate your validator key and join consensus.
Operate & give feedback
Keep your node running, create or answer surveys, accrue $SENT milestone rewards, and tell us what breaks.
What you'll need
A supported OS
Windows, macOS, or Linux — we have setup scripts for all three.
Modest hardware
2+ CPU cores and 4+ GB RAM is enough to run a validator node.
Command-line comfort
You'll run a setup script and follow prompts — no coding required, but you should be comfortable in a terminal.
About an hour
First-time setup, including the Java install and key generation, typically takes under an hour.
Why this is temporary
Sentiment is moving toward a SaaS frontend that won't require anyone to run a node. Until that ships, the network needs real operators to validate consensus, surface bugs, and prove the protocol holds up outside a single machine. Founding operators get direct input into what we fix first — and recognition as the people who got the network running before anyone else had to.
Apply to the Founding Node Operator Program
Applications take about 5–7 minutes. We're reviewing for technical readiness, not first-come-first-served — accepted operators hear back directly from our team.
Want to understand the protocol first?
See exactly what your node would be verifying and how consensus works under the hood.