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Running a Light Node

LayerEdge Light Nodes are responsible for verifying subsets of Merkle trees containing zk-proofs and submitting attestations to the network. Running a Light Node allows you to contribute to decentralized verification and earn token rewards for honest participation. This guide walks you through setup, configuration, and launch.

Clone the Repository​

Start by cloning the official LayerEdge Light Node repository:

git clone https://github.com/Layer-Edge/light-node.git
cd light-node

Review the README​

Before setup, review the README.md file provided in the repository. It includes:

  • Required dependencies (Go, Rust, RISC Zero toolchain)
  • System requirements
  • Setup tips
  • Instructions for environment variable configuration

Ensure you've installed all necessary libraries and toolchains (Go, Rust, RISC Zero) before proceeding.

Configure Environment Variables​

Create or edit a .env file in the root directory of the cloned repo. Example configuration:

GRPC_URL=grpc.testnet.layeredge.io:9090
CONTRACT_ADDR=cosmos1ufs3tlq4umljk0qfe8k5ya0x6hpavn897u2cnf9k0en9jr7qarqqt56709
ZK_PROVER_URL=http://127.0.0.1:3001
API_REQUEST_TIMEOUT=100
POINTS_API=http://127.0.0.1:8080
PRIVATE_KEY='cli-node-private-key'

Variable Descriptions​

  • GRPC_URL: Endpoint to connect with LayerEdge's verification network.
  • CONTRACT_ADDR: Contract address for staking, verification, or reward interaction.
  • ZK_PROVER_URL: Local URL of your ZK prover or Merkle service.
  • PRIVATE_KEY: Signing key used to attest verification reports (keep it secure!).

Build & Run Instructions​

1. Start the RISC0 Merkle Service​

This Rust-based service supports proof tree evaluation:

cd risc0-merkle-service
cargo build && cargo run

Make sure this process is running continuously in the background.

2. Build the Light Node​

Open a new terminal tab:

cd ../  # Return to root of the light-node repo
go build

3. Launch the Node​

After building, run:

./light-node

If correctly configured, you should see logs such as:

  • Merkle tree detection from the LayerEdge network
  • ZK proof subset fetching
  • Verification pass/fail logs
  • Submission status for verified batches

Validate Connectivity & Earning Rewards​

Once running, your node will begin:

  • Discovering Merkle trees
  • Randomly selecting a subset of proofs for validation
  • Submitting successful attestations

If setup correctly, you'll qualify for token rewards and appear in the Light Node leaderboard.

Notes on Secure Participation​

  • Keep your private key safe. Do not expose it in public repos or environments.
  • Logs can be piped to file or monitoring tools like Prometheus for long-term visibility.
  • Restart the node if it halts after version upgrades or Merkle root changes.