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This guide focuses on celestia-node (DA network) with optional notes for celestia-app (consensus). The steps below are intentionally minimal and point to the official docs for version specifics.

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Prerequisites

  • Ubuntu 22.04+ (or any modern Linux)
  • curl, jq, git, wget, make
  • Open the following ports on your firewall:
    • 2121 P2P
    • 26658 RPC
    • 26659 REST Gateway (optional)
1

Install celestia-node binary

# Build from source (recommended official path)
cd $HOME
rm -rf celestia-node
git clone https://github.com/celestiaorg/celestia-node.git
cd celestia-node

# Install (installs 'celestia' and 'cel-key' binaries to $GOBIN if configured)
make node-install

# Verify
celestia version
cel-key --help
2

Choose your network

Common options:
  • Mainnet: --p2p.network celestia
  • Mocha testnet: --p2p.network mocha (alias: mocha-4)
Your node store will be created under ~/.celestia-<type>-<network> (e.g., ~/.celestia-light-mocha-4).
3

Run a Light Node (recommended to start)

# Initialize (creates key + config)
celestia light init --p2p.network mocha

# (Optional) Quick sync via trusted hash & height — see Quick Start guide for details
# Start the node, pointing to a consensus RPC endpoint
celestia light start --p2p.network mocha       --core.ip rpc-mocha.pops.one       --core.port 9090
# Mainnet example:
# celestia light start --p2p.network celestia --core.ip <mainnet-rpc-host> --core.port 9090
Replace the RPC host with a reliable endpoint (your own, or a known public one). Using a trusted hash/height speeds up first sync—see the Quick Start guide.
4

Run a Full Storage Node

# Initialize the store
celestia full init --p2p.network celestia

# Start
celestia full start --p2p.network celestia
# Testnet example:
# celestia full start --p2p.network mocha
Full storage nodes store block data and serve light nodes.
5

Run a Bridge Node

# Initialize
celestia bridge init --p2p.network celestia

# Start — requires access to a consensus endpoint (celestia-app RPC/gRPC)
celestia bridge start --p2p.network celestia       --core.ip <consensus-rpc-host>       --core.port 26657
The bridge node connects the DA layer with consensus (celestia-app). Ensure your celestia-app RPC (26657) and gRPC (9090) are reachable.
6

(Optional) Install celestia-app (consensus)

# Fastest: download prebuilt (see official docs for latest)
# Or build from source:
cd $HOME
rm -rf celestia-app
git clone https://github.com/celestiaorg/celestia-app.git
cd celestia-app
make install

# Verify
celestia-appd version
If you run your own celestia-app endpoint, you can point light/bridge nodes at it via --core.ip and --core.port.

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Service management (systemd)

Below is a minimal template for a light node. Adjust ExecStart for full or bridge accordingly. 
sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/celestia-light.service > /dev/null <<EOF
[Unit]
Description=Celestia Light Node
After=network-online.target

[Service]
User=${USER}
ExecStart=$(which celestia) light start --p2p.network mocha --core.ip rpc-mocha.pops.one --core.port 9090
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=5
LimitNOFILE=65535

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
EOF

sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl enable celestia-light
sudo systemctl start celestia-light
journalctl -u celestia-light -f -o cat

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Verify & Health

# Check process
celestia version

# RPC (celestia-node)
curl -s localhost:26658/health

# P2P check (firewall/ports)
ss -ltnp | grep -E "2121|26658|26659"
For issues, see the official troubleshooting page and confirm required ports: 2121 (P2P), 26658 (RPC), 26659 (gateway). Keep your binaries updated per the official guides.