This guide takes you from a synced node to a live validator. If you don't have a node yet, start with Install, then Genesis and Snapshots (or State sync).

It is recommended to run the node under Cosmovisor so chain upgrades apply automatically.

Before you create the validator

• Node fully synced (terpd status shows catching_up: false) — creating one earlier risks slashing and a tombstoned key.
• Operator key funded and imported (Keys).
• Consensus key secured — file signer or, preferably, threshold signing / FROST sidecar. Never run two signing stacks on the same key.

Create the validator

Confirm the validator is signing: wait a few blocks, then check your voting power on the public endpoints RPC (/cosmos/staking/v1beta1/validators).

Next steps

• Monitor your validator — alerting is what prevents slashing
• Sentry array — hide the validator behind sentries before mainnet