> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://dozza.gitbook.io/pulsechain_node_guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://dozza.gitbook.io/pulsechain_node_guide/part-4-install-the-pulsechain-node.md).

# Part 4 — Install the PulseChain node

## 4.1 Run the installer

The [install\_pulse\_node](https://github.com/tdslaine/install_pulse_node) project provides an interactive wizard that installs Docker, generates the JWT secret, creates the client users, and starts the containers.

```bash
sudo apt update && sudo apt install git -y \
  && git clone https://github.com/tdslaine/install_pulse_node \
  && cd install_pulse_node \
  && chmod +x setup_pulse_node.sh \
  && ./setup_pulse_node.sh
```

### Wizard answers used

* **Data directory:** `/blockchain`
* **Execution client:** Geth (go-pulse)
* **Consensus client:** Lighthouse
* **Desktop shortcuts:** No (headless server — use `plsmenu` from the terminal instead)
* **Validator setup:** **No** (RPC-only node; no staking, no keys, no slashing risk)
* **Start clients now:** Yes
* **Firewall — allow RPC/SSH from LAN only:** Yes (`192.168.1.0/24`)
* **SSH port:** 22 (default)

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Common install failure: docker group missing.** If the run aborts with `group 'docker' does not exist` and `docker.socket ... Failed to resolve group 'docker'`, the Docker service couldn't start because the group was never created. Fix it and re-run:
{% endhint %}

```bash
sudo groupadd docker
sudo systemctl start docker.socket
sudo systemctl start docker.service
sudo docker run hello-world          # confirms Docker works
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER        # add yourself to the group
#   then log out and back in (exit, re-ssh) for group membership to apply
cd ~/install_pulse_node && ./setup_pulse_node.sh    # re-run (idempotent)
```

## 4.2 Reboot and confirm auto-start

The installer adds cron jobs to auto-start the clients and a `graceful_stop` service to close the databases cleanly on shutdown. Reboot to confirm it all comes up on its own:

```bash
docker ps    # after reconnecting — expect 'execution' and 'beacon' both Up
```


---

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