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Run the Server

This guide will walk you through the process of running and provisioning an Ark Server using Docker.

If you don't have Docker or Nigiri installed and running, please refer back to the requirements page for instructions on how to install and set them up before proceeding with the steps mentioned above.

Running the Ark Server​

1. Download the Latest Docker Image​

First, pull the latest Ark Docker image:

docker pull ghcr.io/ark-network/ark:latest

2. Run the Ark Server​

Use the following command to run the Ark Server:

docker run -d --name arkd \
  -v ark-alice:/app/ark-alice \
  -v ark-bob:/app/ark-bob \
  -v arkd:/app/data \
  --network nigiri \
  -p 7070:7070 \
  -e ARK_NETWORK=regtest \
  -e ARK_TX_BUILDER_TYPE=covenantless \
  -e ARK_ROUND_INTERVAL=5 \
  -e ARK_MIN_RELAY_FEE=200 \
  -e ARK_NEUTRINO_PEER=bitcoin:18444 \
  -e ARK_ESPLORA_URL=http://chopsticks:3000 \
  -e ARK_NO_TLS=true \
  -e ARK_NO_MACAROONS=true \
  ghcr.io/ark-network/ark:latest

3. Set Up Convenient Aliases (Optional)​

To simplify running commands in the ark container, add these aliases to your shell profile:

alias ark='docker exec -it arkd ark'
alias arkd='docker exec -it arkd arkd'

Provisioning the Ark Server​

1. Create the Wallet​

Create a new wallet with a password:

arkd wallet create --password password
note

If you have already created a wallet in the past, best to clear the default wallet data directory before creating a new one:

Remove the docker container named arkd:

docker rm arkd

Delete the volumes

docker volume rm ark arkd

2. Unlock the Wallet​

Unlock the wallet using the password:

arkd wallet unlock --password password

3. Fund the Wallet​

Get the address of the wallet:

arkd wallet address

Use the Nigiri faucet to fund your wallet:

nigiri faucet address

4. Check the Balance​

Verify the wallet balance:

arkd wallet balance

Conclusion​

Your Ark Server is now set up and provisioned. It's ready to process off-chain transactions and create VTXO trees in rounds.