Join Blend as core node

docs/blockchain/blend/join-the-blend-network-as-a-core-node.md

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+---
+title: Join the Blend network as a core node
+doc_type: procedure
+product: blockchain
+topics: blend
+steps_layout: flat
+authors: ntn-x2, kashepavadan
+owner: logos
+doc_version: 1
+slug: join-the-blend-network-as-a-core-node
+---
+
+# Join the Blend Network as a core node
+
+#### Connect your blockchain node to Blend to contribute to proposer privacy.
+
+Joining the Blend Network lets your blockchain node contribute to the privacy of Logos Blockchain proposers and receive rewards for participating. This procedure applies to operators of a running Logos Blockchain node who want to register that node as a Blend core node. Before you start, make sure your node's address is publicly reachable so other peers can connect to it.
+
+You need:
+
+- [A running blockchain node](../get-started/run-a-logos-blockchain-node-from-cli.md).
+- A publicly reachable IP and port (or DNS) combination for the node.
+
+## What to expect
+
+- Your blockchain node is registered as a Blend core node.
+- Your node contributes to proposer privacy and becomes eligible for rewards.
+- Your declaration is confirmed on-chain and becomes active after two epochs.
+
+## Register your node as a Blend core node
+
+Complete these steps to fund the required keys, retrieve a locked note, and submit your Blend join declaration.
+
+1. Start the node and wait for it to switch to "Online" mode. This takes approximately one hour.
+1. Use the [faucet](https://testnet.blockchain.logos.co/web/faucet/) to send funds to the public key specified in the `user_config.yaml` file, in `sdp.wallet.funding_pk`.
+1. Use the faucet to send funds to the public key specified in the `user_config.yaml` file, in `blend.core.zk.secret_key_kms_id`.
+1. Call the `<YOUR_NODE_IP>/wallet/<pk>/balance` endpoint, using the key from the previous step as `<pk>`, to view the balances of your notes.
+1. From the response, select either one of the returned notes.
+1. Send a `POST` request to `<YOUR_NODE_IP>/blend/join` with the following payload:
+
+   ```bash
+   {"locator": <multiaddr>, "locked_note_id": <node_id>}
+   ```
+
+   - `<multiaddr>`: a publicly reachable multiaddress for the node (IP or DNS)
+   - `<locked_note_id>`: the note ID from the previous step.
+
+1. Confirm the declaration was submitted by calling `<YOUR_NODE_IP>/mantle/sdp/declarations`. If your declaration is included in the set, you will see your node's `zk_id` there.
+
+   - If your declaration is not yet included, retry the request after your transaction is included in a block.
+   - Once included in a block, the active epoch shown should be two epochs in the future. This is the epoch starting from which your node will be able to participate in the Blend Network.