Build and Run a Node on HeLa Chain

Hela Chain supports two primary types of nodes: non-validator nodes and validator nodes. This document provides a complete, step-by-step guide to building, deploying, and running both types of nodes on Hela Chain.

The guide is designed to be beginner-friendly, by following it closely, you should be able to set up a node successfully with minimal chances of error.

1. Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure the following prerequisites are installed and configured on your system:

• Operating System: Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+ recommended).

• Go: Version 1.18.x or 1.19. ( Later versions may cause compatibility issues.)

• Git: Latest version.

• System packages:

  • Bubblewrap (at least version 0.3.3).

  • GCC (including C++ subpackage).

  • Clang (including development package).

  • Protobuf compiler.

  • GNU Make.

  • CMake.

  • pkg-config.

  • OpenSSL development package.

  • libseccomp development package.

• Docker & Docker Compose (optional): For containerized deployments.

Reference: Oasis Core Development Setup Prerequisites

2. Building Hela Chain Components

Hela Chain is built on top of Oasis Core. To run a node, you must build and install the following components:

1. Oasis Core (Hela Node)

2. Emerald ParaTime & Oasis SDK (Hela EVM runtime)

3. Web3 Gateway

2.1 Build Oasis Core (Hela Node)

Clone the repository and build from source:

1. Oasis Core go to oasis-core folder and build from source to binary

make all

The binary file: /oasis-core/go/oasis-node/hela-node

2.2 Build Emerald ParaTime & Oasis SDK

The ParaTime runtime enables EVM compatibility on Hela Chain. Build it from source:

make

This will export the runtime artifact: hela-evm.orc

2.3 Build Web3 Gateway

The Web3 Gateway connects external applications to Hela Chain using Ethereum-compatible RPC APIs.

make

The build will produce the binary: hela-web3-gateway

3. Deploying a Hela Node

Hela supports non-validator nodes and validator nodes. Below are deployment steps for non-validator nodes first, followed by validator configuration.

3.1 Prepare the Working Directory : Non-validator nodes

• ParaTime client node:

Follow the Oasis documentation for setting up your node directory structure: https://docs.oasis.io/node/run-your-node/prerequisites/oasis-node

Create the directory with required permissions:

use config.yml here: /mainnet/client create folder node with: mkdir -m700 -p ./node/{etc,bin,runtimes,data} and copy the following files into the ./node folder:

• config.yml (example: /mainnet/client/config.yml)

• Genesis file

• hela-evm runtime

3.2 Run a Non-Validator (Client) Node

Start the node:

hela-node --config ./node/etc/config.yml &

Check node status:

hela-node control status -a unix:./node/data/internal.sock

3.3 Run the Web3 Gateway

Use the Web3 Gateway documentation: Oasis Web3 Gateway

Prepare a config file (example: /mainnet/web3-gateway/config.yml) and run:

hela-web3-gateway --config <path-to-config-file> &

Test RPC interaction using QuickNode reference:

eth_getBlockByNumber

4. Running Specialized Nodes

4.1 ParaTime Node

Runs specific runtimes (EVM, confidential compute, etc.). Setup follows the same steps as client nodes, but requires ParaTime runtime registration.

4.2 Key Manager Node

Dedicated node for handling key management operations. Requires additional configuration (to be documented separately).

4.3 Validator Node

Validators participate in consensus and secure the network. Setting up a validator requires:

• Key generation

• Stake delegation

• Validator-specific configuration in config.yml

(Full validator setup documentation to follow in the dedicated Validator Guide.)

5. Running a Node with Docker

For users preferring containerized environments, Hela supports Docker-based deployment.

5.1 Install Docker and Docker Compose

Ensure both are installed and functional:

docker --version
docker-compose --version

5.2 Build the Docker Image

docker-compose build hela-core

5.3 Start Node Service

docker run --name=hela-node -d  -v /node:/node -p 3000:3000 ubuntu_hela-core:latest

5.4 Attach to the Container

Access the container shell:

docker exec -it hela-node bash

5.5 Run Web3 Gateway inside Docker

Once inside the container, configure and run the Web3 Gateway as per:

Oasis Web3 Gateway Documentation

Support :

If you encounter any issues during setup or require assistance, please join the HeLa Community for direct support and guidance.