Set up validator

This guide covers the Kittynode validator workflow: prepare your machines, run kittynode validator init, submit deposits, monitor remotely, and exit when you are done.

Note

You only need one machine to run your Ethereum validator with kittynode validator init, but this guide will show you how to use another machine to monitor your validator with Tailscale.

Prepare your machines

1. Install Kittynode CLI on both machines:

   Linux / macOS

   curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -LsSf https://kittynode.com/sh | sh

   Windows

   powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -c "irm https://kittynode.com/ps1 | iex"

2. Install and sign in to Tailscale on each machine. Note the MagicDNS or Tailscale IP.

3. On the remote host, set up Docker and confirm it’s running.

Initialize the validator

Run the guided validator setup on the remote machine:

kittynode validator init

During this flow you will:

• Choose the target network (Hoodi, Sepolia, or Ephemery).
• Pick how many validators to run and, if desired, enable 0x02 compounding validators.
• Confirm the withdrawal address.
• Generate validator keys.
• Import the keys and start the clients.

When the flow reaches the final steps screen it prints the path to your deposit_data-*.json file. Keep that file handy—you will upload it in the next section.

Deposit your stake

Submit the deposit data for every validator you created. Use the launchpad that matches the network you selected in the CLI.

Hoodi

• Open hoodi.launchpad.ethereum.org.
• Upload the deposit_data-*.json file.
• Follow the instructions to submit the deposit.

Sepolia

• Open sepolia.launchpad.ethereum.org.
• Upload the deposit_data-*.json file.
• Follow the instructions to submit the deposit.

Ephemery

• Open launchpad.ephemery.dev.
• Upload the deposit_data-*.json file.
• Follow the instructions to submit the deposit.

After the deposits land onchain your validator(s) will enter the activation queue. Kittynode keeps the clients running until activation completes.

Monitor with the desktop app

1. On the remote machine, start the Kittynode web service:

   kittynode web start

2. On your desktop machine, open the Kittynode app, go to Settings → Remote server, and paste the remote URL (for example http://<insert-tailscale-name-here>:3000).

3. Click Connect. The app checks the remote /health endpoint before saving the connection.

Exit your validator

When you are ready to exit:

1. Sign in to the remote machine and run the Lighthouse exit command from the validator container:

   docker exec -it kittynode-lighthouse-validator lighthouse \
     --network <network> account validator exit --all

   Replace <network> with the network you configured (hoodi, sepolia, or ephemery). The --all flag exits every imported validator; supply specific public keys if you prefer a partial exit.

2. Wait for the exit to finalize onchain. You can track progress in the Kittynode app or on a community staking dashboard.

3. After the exit and withdrawal balance finalize, transfer the funds by following the Ethereum withdrawal docs.