// Section 2.3 · Concepts

The node client

2 min2.3Concepts

// 3 of 4 · network anatomy

The only piece an operator runs locally.

// 2.3 · the node client · linux x86_64 first

The node client is the software an operator installs on their machine. It is the only piece of the system the operator runs locally. Linux x86_64 ships first; other targets follow capability demand.

Eight responsibilities

// key generation through status reporting

// 2.3.1Key Management

Generate and protect the node's secp256k1 key (a separate liveness key). Mode 0600 enforced.

// 2.3.2Capability Manifest

Compute and submit the hardware capability manifest. Signed.

// 2.3.3Coordinator Link

Maintain a persistent connection to the coordinator. Heartbeat every 30s.

// 2.3.4Payload Decryption

Decrypt dispatched work payloads with the local private key.

// 2.3.5Work Execution

Execute the dispatched unit of work against the local GPU / CPU. An AI inference request runs whole; a parallelizable sub-task runs its slice.

// 2.3.6Proof-of-Execution

Compute SHA-256(task_id || result || node_id) for each result.

// 2.3.7Signed Return

Sign and return results to the coordinator.

// 2.3.8Status Console

Surface local state: READY · EXECUTING · IDLE · UNSTAKING.

The capability manifest

// signed by node.key · submitted at registration

// manifest · json · signed by node.key

{
  "node_id":             "0x...",
  "wallet_address":      "0x...",
  "pubkey_rsa":          "-----BEGIN PUBLIC KEY-----...",
  "hardware_tier":       3,
  "cpu":   { "model": "EPYC 7763",   "cores": 128, "ram_gb": 512 },
  "gpu":   [{ "model": "NVIDIA H100", "count": 4, "vram_gb": 80 }],
  "region":              "eu-west",
  "workload_classes":    ["ai.training", "ai.inference", "media.render"],
  "max_parallel_subtasks": 4,
  "client_version":      "0.1.0",
  "signature":           "rsa(0x...)"
}

The coordinator verifies the signature against the declared public key and checks the wallet for prior registrations (sybil pre-screen).

Local states

// four states · log events tagged state.transition

READYAwaiting dispatch

EXECUTINGRunning dispatched work

IDLENo active work, READY pool

UNSTAKING7-day cooldown, no new dispatches

// Reading path

Network Anatomy · parent hub Node CLI · full CLI specification Run a node · operator onboarding