Install Slonana & join the SLON testnet (pre-mainnet)
One command provisions a full validator node — genesis, Docker, systemd, firewall and auto-updates included. Zero manual config.
Run on any Ubuntu 22.04+ host
curl -fsSL https://slonana.com/install.sh | sudo sh -s -- --join
The script self-configures the node and joins the public testnet (pre-mainnet). No SSH-key wrangling, no port lists — every edge case is encoded in install.sh.
Just want the command-line client?
curl -fsSL https://slonana.com/install.sh | sh
Without --join the installer does one thing: it installs the slonana binary. No Docker, no systemd, no validator — just the CLI for querying slots, balances, accounts and programs. See Slonana CLI for the command reference.
What it does
Fetches + verifies the signed binary
Configures genesis, Docker, ufw, systemd
Joins the cluster, starts producing/voting
Auto-updates via slonana-update.timer
Requirements
Ubuntu 22.04+ (x86-64)
4 vCPU, 8 GB RAM minimum for a voting testnet (pre-mainnet) validator (vc2-4c-8gb)
2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM is for development/RPC-only use
8 GB swap recommended during initial replay; 16+ GB RAM is preferred for production
Root / sudo
Outbound HTTPS + ports 8000-8030, 8899
What happens next
1
The node downloads the latest signed release and verifies its Ed25519 signature against the pinned release key.
2
It writes the genesis, brings up the validator under systemd, and opens the cluster ports.
3
It joins gossip, syncs to the live tip, and begins voting. Send transactions to its :8899 RPC — they forward to the leader and land.
4
It keeps itself current: slonana-update.timer pulls signed releases and restarts only when a newer verified version ships.