SPS Validator Node Setup Guide for Dummies on Windows

Hi!
I've created this guide for those who want to run a Validator node on a Windows PC without buying a server. If anything is unclear, doesn't work, or have any questions, feel free to leave a comment! I'll be happy to help.

Preparing

Type ‘powershell’ on windows search bar
Run ‘Windows PowerShell’ as administrator

run ‘wsl --install’

This will install ubuntu by default
Restart your computer after installation

Install Docker Desktop
Download and install Docker Desktop from
https://docs.docker.com/desktop/setup/install/windows-install/

During installation, ensure the "Use WSL 2 instead of Hyper-V" option is selected

After installation, open Docker Desktop , Click Skip so you don’t have sign up docker account
and go to Settings > Resources > WSL Integration
Enable integration with your installed WSL distro - Ubuntu

Setting Up the Validator

Open your WSL terminal
Search for "Ubuntu" in the Start menu and click Ubuntu or run wsl in PowerShell

Get node files

run (change the mail with your actual email)
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"

It asks three questions you can just enter three times for the questions.
→ enter → enter → enter

run
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

drag & select the key and copy the key with ctrl+C

SSH and GPG keys → New SSH key

paste the key and add ssh key

run
git clone --branch vlatest --single-branch [email protected]:TheSPSDAO/SPS-Validator.git
yes

run
cd SPS-Validator

Set up environment variables

Edit the configuration file

run
cp .env-example .env

Use a txt editor to modify the .env file:
run
nano .env

Important settings to configure:
- VALIDATOR_ACCOUNT: Your Hive account name
- VALIDATOR_KEY: Your Hive posting key
- If you just want license rewards, set DB_BLOCK_RETENTION=432000 to keep your database size small if you’re not aiming Top Validators. Recommend for most people.

save the updated .env file
ctrl + x → y → enter

Build the validator

run
./run.sh build

This will deploy the database, run migrations, and download/deploy the snapshot
This process may take some time

Start the validator

run
./run.sh start all

This starts both the validator and the management UI
This process may take some time

You need to wait this number become 0 to start your node validate block

Congrat! Now your validator node is running!

Monitoring and Managing the Validator

Open your favorite browser

Check validator status
- Open http://localhost:3333/status in your browser

Access the management UI
- Open http://localhost:8888/ in your browser

View logs

./run.sh logs

Check and Stake your node

Make sure Set the VALIDATOR_ACCOUNT and VALIDATOR_KEY in your .env file if you haven't already
Go to http://localhost:8888/validator-nodes/manage and follow the registration steps
Wait until your node catches up before registering (logs will show "Blocks to head: 0")
First-time registrations will be set to "inactive"
After registration and when your node is caught up, you can set it to active
Stake your license on splinterland license page

Keeping the Node Running

To keep the node running continuously:

Make sure your WSL instance stays running
- WSL might shut down with some reason like a system restart
After a Windows restart:
- Open WSL terminal
- Navigate to your SPS-Validator directory
- Check if the validator is running:
./run.sh logs
- If not running, start it again:
./run.sh start all
Set Windows to auto-start Docker Desktop
- This will ensure Docker is available after restarts
- Open Docker Desktop > Settings > General > Start Docker Desktop when you log in
Consider using a WSL startup script to auto-start the validator
- Create a startup script in your home directory:
  echo '#!/bin/bash
  cd ~/SPS-Validator
  ./run.sh start all' > ~/start-validator.sh
  chmod +x ~/start-validator.sh

Add this to your Windows startup by creating a .vbs script:
open notepad app on windows -> paste this

Set WshShell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell")
WshShell.Run "wsl -d Ubuntu -e /bin/bash -c ~/start-validator.sh", 0, True

Save this as a .vbs file and place it in your Windows Startup folder (Win+R, then type shell:startup)

Common Commands for Management

./run.sh stop: Stops all services
./run.sh start: Starts validator and database
./run.sh start all: Starts validator, database, and UI
./run.sh logs: Shows the validator logs
./run.sh rebuild_service validator: Rebuilds the validator to apply new environment variables
./run.sh snapshot: Creates a backup of your database

Please vote this post so it reaches more people
If this helps, could you consider voting for my node?

Thank you! https://monstermarket.io/validators?validator=hanv