Frequently Asked Questions
This section addresses common issues and questions that might arise while running or developing with Pathfinder. If you don’t find your answer here, consider searching the GitHub issues or asking in the Starknet Discord channel.
What is Pathfinder?
Pathfinder is a full node implementation designed to interact with the Starknet blockchain, providing a secure and reliable view of the network.
How can I run Pathfinder?
You can run Pathfinder using Docker or by building it from source. Detailed instructions for both methods are provided in the installation section.
What are the hardware requirements for running Pathfinder?
The recommended hardware includes 4 CPU cores, 8 GiB RAM, and 250 GiB SSD storage for optimal performance. These requirements are applicable for running Pathfinder on both mainnet and testnet.
How can I configure my Pathfinder node?
Pathfinder can be configured using environment variables or command-line options, such as specifying the network, logging level, and Ethereum API URL. You can find more details in the configuration section.
How can I update my Pathfinder node?
Check out the Updating Pathfinder guide for detailed instructions on updating your Pathfinder node to the latest version.
How can I interact with my Pathfinder node?
You can interact with Pathfinder using the JSON-RPC API or the WebSocket API for real-time updates. These APIs allow you to query the blockchain, submit transactions, and subscribe to events.
Can I switch from archive mode to pruned mode (or vice versa) without re-syncing?
Currently, you cannot switch directly between archive and pruned modes mid-run. You may, however, change the k value in pruned mode between runs. If you need to go from archive to pruned, consider downloading a pruned Database Snapshot or re-sync with the --storage.state-tries=<k> option.
How can I monitor my Pathfinder node?
Use the monitoring API endpoints (/health, /ready, /ready/synced) and integrate Prometheus metrics to monitor the node's health and performance. For more details, refer to the Monitoring API section.
Do node operators receive any rewards, or is participation solely to support the network?
Currently, running a Pathfinder node is a voluntary effort to support the Starknet network, and there are no direct rewards for node operators.
How can I view Pathfinder logs from Docker?
You can view the logs of your Pathfinder Docker container using the command: docker logs -f pathfinder.
How can I get real-time updates of new blocks?
Use the WebSocket API to subscribe to the newHeads event, which provides real-time notifications for new blocks added to the blockchain.
Does Pathfinder provide snapshots to sync with Starknet quickly?
Yes, Pathfinder provides database snapshots that can be downloaded and used to speed up the syncing process. Refer to the snapshots section for more details.
How can I contribute to Pathfinder?
You can contribute by opening issues, submitting pull requests, or joining the Starknet community on Discord to provide feedback and collaborate with other developers. For more details, refer to the contribution guidelines.
Can I use Pathfinder with a custom Starknet network?
Yes, you can configure Pathfinder to connect to a custom network by specifying the --network custom command line option and providing the appropriate gateway URLs. For more details, refer to the custom network section.
How do I monitor my Pathfinder node?
Use the monitoring API endpoints (/health, /ready, /ready/synced) and integrate Prometheus metrics for detailed monitoring. For more information, refer to the Monitoring API section.
What should I do if my node is not syncing?
Ensure your Ethereum endpoint is accessible and has archive capabilities, and verify that your hardware meets the performance requirements.