# Becoming a Validator

After successfully setting up the wallet, follow this guide to become a validator

### Getting into the validators' list

{% hint style="warning" %}
It is not enough to just enroll and authenticate to become a validator at Mainnet!
{% endhint %}

You need to go through the following steps to become a validator:

1. Enroll with the network.
2. Rotate and set the node keys
3. Authenticate

These steps require a handheld device.

Let's look at these step by step:

#### Set up the Node

Scan the QR code and open the web app on your phone.

* If you use the launcher, the QR code should automatically appear on the dashboard after you start the node.
* If you are using the CLI, see the `humanode-peer bioauth authurl --help` and use that command with proper flags. Don't forget to set the `--chain` option properly.

{% hint style="info" %}
The following processes require a network fee (less than 1 HMND), so make sure you have 1 HMND in your wallet. You can [Broken mention](broken://spaces/BRljSiHkWl8N5kU7JS44/pages/opNubMvj6WgvufQIGgXI)
{% endhint %}

On your phone, click on "Set up the Node." Remember, this is a one-time process.

<figure><img src="/files/Xu1IPx5ZSuntUm0kE0D9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

On the next screen, click "**Enroll**" and follow the instructions to scan your face. After enrolling, return to this screen and click "**Rotate and Set Keys.**"

<figure><img src="/files/djvSY6fmVXbIxTuLzDt7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Now you have your node properly set up. You only need to do this entire procedure once, and you'll need to re-enroll if required due to operational requirements (read: if we announce it) and re-rotate and set the keys when you want to discard your old node and set up a new one.
{% endhint %}

#### **Authenticate**&#x20;

Go back to Authenticate using your phone in the web app.&#x20;

Once authorized, all checks in the launcher app will turn green, or if using CLI, verify your validator status with this command:\
\
`curl -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"id":1, "jsonrpc":"2.0", "method": "bioauth_status"}' http://localhost:9933`&#x20;

After authentication, wait for the next session to see your name in the validators list.

### Maintaining the validator status

* Do not turn off your node. You will be kicked off the validators list if the network detects your node went offline.&#x20;
* If you run the node locally, your PC/Laptop must be switched on 24/7 with sleep mode turned off.&#x20;
* Authenticate within the same session after your authentication expires.&#x20;

{% hint style="info" %}
An epoch or session is 4 hours long. So you still have ample time to reauthenticate once your verification expires. &#x20;
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
REMEMBER that to keep your node up and running you need to reauthenticate every 7 days. So choose a convenient time to authenticate.
{% endhint %}

You are now a validator, please go back to the launcher app and start your node.


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

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Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://gitbook.humanode.io/mainnet-guide/validator/becoming-a-validator.md?ask=<question>
```

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The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.