Hypermall

Validators install and use instances of the Main Settlement Bus (MSB). Learn how to install & operate the MSB for Hypermall on Windows, MacOS and Linux.

Note: The below are instructions to install validators (MSB) for the Hypermall, not the Hypermall itself!

First we need to install Node.js. If you are not tech-savvy, don't worry, it's straight-forward. If you already have Node installed, you can skip its installation and move straight to the Pear installation.

Windows

Open a PowerShell (right click > run as admin) and enter:

# allow script execution
# if you are an admin, you may use more restricted settings based on your dev op rules
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

# Download and install fnm:
winget install Schniz.fnm

# set some environment options
fnm env --use-on-cd | Out-String | Invoke-Expression

# Download and install Node.js:
fnm install 22

# Verify the Node.js version:
node -v # Should print a version like "v22.14.0".

# Verify npm version:
npm -v # Should print a version like "10.9.2".

MacOS/Linux

Open a terminal/console and enter:

# Download and install nvm:
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.2/install.sh | bash

# in lieu of restarting the shell
\. "$HOME/.nvm/nvm.sh"

# Download and install Node.js:
nvm install 22

# Verify the Node.js version:
node -v # Should print a version like "v22.15.0".

nvm current # Should print a version like "v22.15.0".

# Verify npm version:
npm -v # Should print a version like "10.9.2".

Once you confirmed the commands "node -v" and "npm -v" return no error but print a version number, we can proceed. Should curl for some reason not exist, then install it first. If it is missing on MacOS, you can try "/usr/bin/curl" instead of just "curl".

Installing Pear Runtime

Next is installing the Pear Runtime. The MSB runs on top of it and allows for efficient MSB execution. In principle running the MSB using plain Node works, but it is recommended to use Pear.

Simply execute the following in your shell / console / terminal:

npm i -g pear
pear -v

If pear asks you to set the paths after installation, please execute the "export" command that is provided.

"pear -v" should print the current version that you installed and you're ready to continue installing the MSB. It is important that you use the exact version of the MSB as this is the final release that everyone running an MSB must be operating on:

Windows

In your file explorer, create an empty directory called "my-msb". Then use the PowerShell to enter it:

cd my-msb

Linux / MacOS

Create an empty directory using the console / terminal and enter it:

# create
mkdir my-msb

# enter the new folder
cd my-msb

Install/Update the MSB

You may now choose between decentralized MSB distribution or manual install.

Updates works like this:

• Re-install the latest version (latest are always the versions below)

• Start with the exact store name(s) that you used upon install and first run (e.g. store1, store2, etc)

• Type "/add_writer" and hit enter in the validator screen to make sure the network handles your update quicker

• Skip the onboarding and post-install process below entirely

• Note: If it asks you for a new seedphrase, you might have not choosen the correct store name upon restart

Decentralized

To run the MSB, execute the following command:

pear run pear://h17deo6fwaats9x5jupx8m337yypnbgssge46t8k1ysxz6fxqnuy store1

You will be asked to enter the word "TRUST" once. Please do so and once done, follow the instructions and simply repeat the above command. You can skip the below and continue from the "Post Install" section.

Manual

Now install the MSB exactly like this (the version number is important):

npm install [email protected]

If the installation finished without errors, we can start the MSB itself.

Starting the MSB

Copy the msb as pear doesn't like it to be run in node_modules.

Windows:

Use your file explorer and copy all contents from the folder "my-msb/node_modules/trac-msb/" into "my-msb" (override existing files).

Linux/MacOS

cp -fr node_modules/trac-msb/* .

Then proceed (Windows/Linux/MacOS):

# pull the dependencies
npm install

# run the msb using pear
pear run . store1

Note: In rare cases, there is a chance nothing appears to happen. In this case, please kill all "pear-runtime" processes using the process manager of your operating system. Then start again. A bug report has been sent to the pear team.

Post Install

"pear run" starts the MSB in the current directory "." and "store1" is the name of the database (located in stores/store1). The database also contains a backup of your identity. Your identity is important to claim trading fees earned by validating the Hypermall.

Note: To run multiple instances, simply use a different store name than "store1". You will need to run multiple instances if you own more than one license, because each validator has its associated identity.

After the MSB started the first time without identity, you should see the following information:

Please type "1" and hit enter and show you the seed phrase. Please copy and backup the seed phrase in a safe location:

If you forgot to back it up, you can still make a backup of your identity like so:

Windows

Use your file explorer and copy the file "my-msb/stores/store1/db/keypair.json" to a backup folder of your choice.

Linux / MacOS

cp stores/store1/db/keypair.json /some/backup/location/

The keypair.json file contains the seed phrase that you can use to restore your identity in a new installation or logging into the Hypermall to withdraw your rewards.

The MSB has been fully started if you see the following:

To stop your MSB, enter "/exit" (use the CTRL + C keys on your keyboard only as last resort).

To restart use the exact same start parameters you used earlier from within your MSB installation folder.

Getting Whitelisted

We are assuming that your MSB instance (your address) isn't whitelisted yet. In order to validate your license, keep your Bitcoin wallet at hand and navigate to the public onboarding site.

Follow the instructions to swap your licenses on Bitcoin to your Trac Network identities (the MSB Addresses).

Once received, you will be added to the whitelist after some processing time (up to 24 hours). Once added, please restart your MSB, type the command "/add_writer" and hit enter. After a few seconds you should see a confirmation about your MSB being added.

From that moment on, every trade transaction that your MSB validates will add to your fee balance in the Hypermall (given your MSB is running, a continuous uptime is important).

As mentioned above, for multiple licenses, please repeat the process of starting the MSB with different stores as each validator is supposed to have its own identity.

Important: Never run the same store twice as you would try to join the network 2 or more times with the same identity and cause "chatter" (permanent logins and logouts). To avoid reconnecting issues, make sure to run each store only once.

Running the MSB in Background

There are several ways to run the MSB in the background. For portability and cross-operating-system support, we recommend to use the Node package "pm2". See here on how to install (using the "npm" method is fine).

Once installed, start the MSB like this:

pm2 start pear --name "My MSB #1" --no-autorestart -- run . store1

Important: If you use PM2, please start your instances using the "--no-autorestart" flag, otherwise you may run into issues.

Check the pm2 documentation for further details as it is an extremely powerful tool to manage multiple instances of programs that are supposed to run in the background.

Congratulations!

You just learned how to install and use an MSB and become a validator! As soon as the Hypermall is being released, you can log into the Hypermall with each of your validator identities and collect your earned trading fees by checking your balances.