(#269) Start a Logos Blockchain node via the app UI

docs/blockchain/start-a-logos-blockchain-node-via-the-app-ui.md

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+---
+title: Start a Logos Blockchain node via the app UI
+doc_type: procedure
+product: blockchain
+topics: blockchain
+steps_layout: sectioned
+authors: davidrusu, cheny0
+owner: logos
+doc_version: 1
+slug: start-a-logos-blockchain-node-via-the-app-ui
+---
+
+# Start a Logos Blockchain node via the app UI
+
+#### Run a node that participates in consensus via a graphical interface.
+
+> [!NOTE]
+>
+> - **Permissions**: Node operator
+> - **Product**: Logos Blockchain testnet v0.1
+
+The Logos Blockchain is the blockchain module of the Logos technology stack, providing a privacy-preserving and censorship-resistant framework for decentralized network states. You can run a Logos Blockchain node [using the CLI](./run-a-logos-blockchain-node-on-public-testnet-from-cli.md) or the graphical interface.
+
+> [!NOTE]
+>
+> For testnet v0.1, you must manually edit the config file and restart the node to add new keys.
+
+Before you start, make sure you have the following:
+
+- A supported OS: Linux x86_64 or macOS
+- [Nix](https://github.com/NixOS/nix-installer) installed with flakes enabled.
+
+## What to expect
+
+- You have a Logos Blockchain node running and connected to peers.
+- Your wallet holds testnet funds requested from the faucet.
+- Your node is eligible to participate in the consensus lottery after the UTXO ages for approximately two hours.
+
+## Step 1: Run the Logos Blockchain app
+
+1. Clone the repository:
+
+    ```sh
+    git clone https://github.com/logos-blockchain/logos-blockchain-ui.git
+    cd logos-blockchain-ui
+    ```
+
+1. Build the standalone app:
+
+    ```sh
+    nix build '.#app'
+    ```
+
+    - If flakes are not enabled globally, run `nix build --extra-experimental-features 'nix-command flakes' '.#app'` instead.
+
+1. Run the app:
+
+    ```sh
+    ./result/bin/logos-blockchain-ui-app
+    ```
+
+## Step 2: Generate and load a node config
+
+1. In the app, click **Generate Config**.
+
+1. In the [Logos Blockchain release notes](https://github.com/logos-blockchain/logos-blockchain/releases), search for "testnet bootstrap peers" and copy the initial trusted peer set.
+
+1. In the app, paste the peer set information in the **Initial peers** and click **Generate Config** on the bottom.
+
+1. Click **Load Config** and select the generated config file. 
+
+1. Click **Start Node**. A green indicator shows the node is running, and the wallet appears with a balance of `0`.
+
+## Step 3: Request testnet funds from the faucet
+
+1. From the wallet section of the UI, copy one of your keys.
+
+1. Go to the [devnet faucet](https://devnet.blockchain.logos.co/node/0/faucet), paste your key, and click **Request Funds**.
+
+    > **Note:**
+    >
+    > The transaction can take up to a minute to confirm and appear in your wallet.
+
+## Step 4: Verify the node is healthy
+
+1. Check that the blockchain height is increasing:
+
+    ```sh
+    curl localhost:8080/cryptarchia/info
+    ```
+
+    Example response:
+
+    ```json
+    {"lib":"3d0c...4e6d","tip":"f44d...e2f5","slot":70899,"height":120,"mode":"Bootstrapping"}
+    ```
+
+    Expect `height` to increase at an average rate of one block every 10 seconds. The timing is probabilistic, so some variance is normal.
+
+1. Check that the node is connected to peers:
+
+    ```sh
+    curl localhost:8080/network/info
+    ```
+
+    Example response:
+
+    ```json
+    {"listen_addresses":["/ip4/127.0.0.1/udp/3001/quic-v1"],"peer_id":"12D3...fuS2","n_peers":16,"n_connections":19,"n_pending_connections":0}
+    ```
+
+    Confirm that `n_peers` is greater than `0`.
+
+Once the node is funded and the UTXO has aged for approximately two hours, the node automatically participates in the consensus lottery and starts producing blocks.
+
+## Troubleshooting starting a node
+
+### The wallet balance does not update after a faucet request
+
+Only one faucet transaction can be included per block, so transactions may be dropped during periods of high demand. Retry the request from the faucet.