> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cascadia.gitbook.io/gitbook/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cascadia.gitbook.io/gitbook/validators/installation.md).
# Installation
Before following the steps below, first set up a node. Instructions are available [here](/gitbook/node.md)[.](https://cascadia.gitbook.io/gitbook/validators/install-your-node)
{% hint style="info" %}
To resume typing while your node is running, press **ctrl-c**.
{% endhint %}
**Step 1: Verify that your node is fully synced.**
```
cascadiad status
```
If `catching_up` returns `false`, your node is fully synced.
If `catching_up` returns `true`, your node is still catching up.
{% hint style="info" %}
Wait until your node has fully synced (`catching_up` returns `false`) before proceeding. This may take some time--grab some coffee!
{% endhint %}
**Step 2: Generate and store your validator's address and keys.**
Run the following command to create a new validator key pair:
cascadiad keys add <key_name>
Replace `` with a name for your validator's key.
\
**For example:**
```
cascadiad keys add yourvalidator
```
This command will prompt you to generate a keyring passphrase and generate a new validator key pair, which consists of a **Cascadia wallet address, a public key, and a mnemonic phrase.** Keep the keyring passphrase and mnemonic phrase secret and securely stored. The public key will be used to identify your validator on the Cascadia network.
{% hint style="info" %}
To access your account, use the `cascadiad keys add --recover` command. Enter your keyring passphrase and mnemonic when prompted, and make sure to override the existing name ''test.''
{% endhint %}
**Step 3: Convert your Cascadia address to an EVM address.**
After creating a public key, run the following command to convert your Cascadia wallet address from Step 2 to an EVM address:
{% code overflow="wrap" %}
```javascript
cascadiad address-converter
```
{% endcode %}
Replace `` with your Cascadia wallet address from Step 2.
**Step 4: Fund your validator's EVM address.**
Transfer CC tokens to your validator's EVM address or utilize the [faucet](https://www.cascadia.foundation/faucet).
{% hint style="info" %}
Enter your converted EVM address from Step 3 into the faucet. A properly formatted EVM address will begin with "0x" followed by a series of alphanumeric characters, such as "0x2e...4B9T".
{% endhint %}
**Step 5: Confirm receipt of CC tokens.**
Confirm that you have received CC tokens by entering your EVM address from Step 4 into Cascadia's [block explorer](https://explorer.cascadia.foundation/).
**Step 6: Create your initial validator funding tx.**
To create a validator tx, run the following command:
{% code overflow="wrap" %}
```javascript
cascadiad tx staking create-validator \
--from \
--chain-id cascadia_11029-1 \
--moniker= \
--commission-max-change-rate=0.01 \
--commission-max-rate=1.0 \
--commission-rate=0.05 \
--details= \
--security-contact= \
--website= \
--pubkey $(cascadiad tendermint show-validator) \
--min-self-delegation=1 \
--amount aCC \
--gas auto \
--gas-adjustment=1.2 \
--gas-prices=7aCC \
--broadcast-mode sync
```
{% endcode %}
**Fill in these parameters:**
``: The name you inputted in Step 2.
``: The name you want to give your validator.
``: Details about your validator node.
``: Your email address.
``: The URL of your website, if available.
``: The number of tokens you want to delegate. This is denominated in aCC, which is equivalent to 1e18 CC, i.e. 1 CC = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000 aCC.
{% hint style="info" %}
For `gas prices`, around 7 aCC is standard. However, you may need to adjust this amount if the tx is unsuccessful.
{% endhint %}
**For example:**
{% code overflow="wrap" %}
```javascript
cascadiad tx staking create-validator \
--from yourvalidator \
--chain-id cascadia_11029-1 \
--moniker=ubuntu \
--commission-max-change-rate=0.01 \
--commission-max-rate=1.0 \
--commission-rate=0.05 \
--details=The World's First Neocybernetic Blockchain \
--security-contact=admin@cascadia.foundation \
--website=cascadia.foundation \
--pubkey $(cascadiad tendermint show-validator) \
--min-self-delegation=1 \
--amount 1000000000000000000aCC \
--gas auto \
--gas-adjustment=1.2 \
--gas-prices=7aCC \
--broadcast-mode block
```
{% endcode %}
Enter the passphrase you created in step 2, then confirm the transaction.
{% hint style="info" %}
Verify your validator's status by checking your address on Cascadia's [validator explorer](https://validator.cascadia.foundation/validators).
{% endhint %}
Congratulations, you're successfully running a Cascadia validator!
---
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