Before you start
Download Kaspa NG
Get the newest release from the official GitHub page.
- Open the Kaspa NG releases page.
- Take the newest release, at the top.
- Under Assets, download
kaspa-ng_X.X.X_amd64.deb.
It is the only Linux build: for Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint and Pop!_OS on a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor. On another distribution or an ARM board, use native kaspad or Docker instead.
Install it
apt installs the package and anything it needs.
cd ~/Downloads
sudo apt install ./kaspa-ng_*_amd64.debwhich kaspa-ngprints/usr/bin/kaspa-ng
Open it the first time
From your app menu, or from a terminal.
- App menu
- Look for Kaspa NG in your launcher
- Terminal
kaspa-ng
- Kaspa NG opens on its welcome screen
Set up the node
The welcome screen asks for a few settings the first time.
- Under Kaspa Network, choose Mainnet, the live network. Testnet is for developers.
- Under Kaspa p2p Node & Connection, keep Integrated Daemon. Remote uses someone else's node, and Disabled runs none.
- Pick a language and theme, then choose Apply. The node starts.
The node keeps the chain in ~/.rusty-kaspa. To keep it on a larger drive, open Settings, then Data Storage, and set a custom data storage folder.
Let it sync
The node downloads the chain from other nodes and checks every block itself. It only has to do this once.
The main window shows progress, block height against the network's, and peers. On a machine that meets the requirements it usually takes one to two hours, longer on a slower disk or connection. You can keep using the computer; just leave Kaspa NG open.
- Progress reaches 100%, or it says Synced
- Your block height matches the network's
- New blocks arrive many times a second
Create a wallet
Kaspa NG includes a wallet for sending, receiving and keeping KAS. Optional for running a node.
Write the seed phrase on paper. Never photograph it, store it on a computer or share it. It is the only way to get the wallet back. The password only protects the wallet on this computer; lose the seed phrase and the funds are gone.
- Open Wallet, then create a new wallet.
- Write down the 12 or 24 words, in order. Kaspa NG asks for some of them back.
- Choose a strong password.
- Your address appears, starting
kaspa:.
Check it is working
A running node shows all of these.
- It says Synced, or 100%
- 8 or more peers are connected
- The block height keeps rising
- The log shows no repeating errors
Make it public
Optional, and the most useful thing you can do. Your node reaches out to others already; a public one also lets them reach it, which helps new nodes join and sync.
Kaspa NG asks your router to open port 16111 by itself (UPnP), so it may be public already. Check with Check my node after an hour. If it isn't, forward the port by hand:
- Find this computer's local address (ip addr, or your network settings), for example 192.168.1.42.
- Open your router's admin page, usually at 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1.
- Add a port forwarding rule: TCP, external port 16111, to that address, port 16111. Save it.
Open the port in the firewall too, if one is on. UFW (Ubuntu, Debian):
sudo ufw allow 16111/tcp
sudo ufw statusRouter menus differ. portforward.com has steps for most models.
- Kaspa NG shows inbound peers, often 20 to 50 or more
- It appears on KasNodes after the next crawl
Start it when you sign in
Optional. Kaspa NG is a desktop app, so it runs while you are signed in. Add it to your desktop's startup apps.
- GNOME, Ubuntu
- Startup Applications, Add, with the command kaspa-ng
- KDE Plasma
- System Settings, Autostart, Add Application, Kaspa NG
For a machine that runs with nobody signed in, use native kaspad as a service instead.
Troubleshooting
The usual problems and what fixes them.
The install reports missing packages
Install with sudo apt install ./kaspa-ng_*_amd64.deb rather than dpkg, so apt fetches what it needs. If dpkg left it half installed, run sudo apt-get install -f.
It won't open, or closes at once
Run kaspa-ng in a terminal to see the error. It needs a desktop session; on a server with no screen, use native kaspad.
The sync is stuck
It has usually lost its peers. Check the connection, quit and reopen Kaspa NG, turn off any VPN while syncing, and check the firewall isn't blocking it. Still stuck after ten minutes? Ask in the Kaspa Discord.
It shows 0 peers
It can't reach the network. Check the connection and the firewall; work networks often block peer-to-peer traffic. Restart Kaspa NG first.
The computer is slow while it runs
Syncing works the computer hard, and it passes. With less than 16 GB of memory, close other apps while it syncs, and expect trouble later: the node needs 16 GB. You can quit and reopen it; the sync carries on where it stopped.
The disk is filling up
Free some space, or move the chain to a larger drive with a custom data storage folder in Kaspa NG's settings. Keep 640 GB free for it; 1 TB is better.
I forgot my wallet password
With the seed phrase you can restore it: remove the wallet in Kaspa NG, add it again from the seed phrase and set a new password. Without the seed phrase the funds can't be recovered.
It isn't public after forwarding the port
Check this computer's local address hasn't changed, the rule is TCP not UDP, and try your router's Virtual Servers section if it has one. Restart the router. Some internet providers block inbound connections at home.
Running? Put your name on it.
Once the node shows up in a crawl you can claim it, pick a public name and follow its rank.