Run a Validator

A PulseVM network validator is a metalgo node with the PulseVM plugin, registered to the subnet.

Shape of the work

1. Provision a Linux host (amd64), install metalgo, place the PulseVM plugin binary in the plugins directory.
2. Generate node identity (NodeID) and back up the staking keys.
3. Track the subnet in node config; sync the chain.
4. Register: the subnet owner adds your NodeID as a validator (consortium governance decides who validates).
5. Operate: run metalgo under a service manager; monitor head and last-irreversible block; roll plugin upgrades across the validator set in coordinated windows.

Coordinate upgrades

Consensus-affecting plugin upgrades should roll out across the validator set in a planned window rather than node-by-node — standard practice for any BFT network.

Detailed runbooks (provisioning scripts, upgrade/rollback tooling, monitoring) exist from operating the Alpine fleet — ask in the community channels.