> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.autheo.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Deploying a node

> How to configure and deploy a Sovereign validator node through the Autheo Validator Portal, including region selection, Stripe checkout, and validator field definitions.

The Node Deployment page guides you through configuring and launching a new Sovereign validator node. Deployment requires a Sovereign license and a monthly node subscription paid via Stripe.

For pricing context, see [Hosting options](/validator-program/hosting-options).

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/autheo/_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV/images/vp-deploy-node.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV&q=85&s=e0cc36cabdbd17869380a5f813a4fddc" alt="Dashboard with Deploy Your Node button highlighted" width="1848" height="857" data-path="images/vp-deploy-node.png" />

## Deployment flow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Select network">
    Choose the network for your node:

    | Option  | Description                                      |
    | ------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
    | Mainnet | The production Autheo network                    |
    | Testnet | The test environment for development and testing |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select location">
    Choose your preferred data center region:

    | Option        | Description                             |
    | ------------- | --------------------------------------- |
    | Europe        | Data centers in the European region     |
    | North America | Data centers in North America           |
    | Asia Pacific  | Data centers in the Asia-Pacific region |

    <Tip>Select the region closest to your primary user base for lower network latency.</Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure software update rules">
    | Option            | Description                                                                   |
    | ----------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | Automatic updates | Updates are applied automatically as they become available (recommended)      |
    | Manual approval   | You manually approve each update before it is applied (currently unavailable) |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review configuration summary">
    The summary panel shows your selected configuration plus included service details:

    | Item       | Value    |
    | ---------- | -------- |
    | Billing    | Monthly  |
    | Bandwidth  | 1 Gbps   |
    | Support    | Priority |
    | Uptime SLA | 99.9%    |

    Additional included services: monitoring dashboard, alerts and notifications, enterprise SLA, and 24/7 support.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy and complete checkout">
    1. Complete all three configuration steps and click **Deploy node**
    2. The portal creates a checkout session and redirects you to **Stripe** for secure payment
    3. Complete payment on Stripe to activate your node subscription
    4. After payment, your new node appears in the Dashboard with **Provisioning** status

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/autheo/_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV/images/vp-deploy-checkout-1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV&q=85&s=99bf4a8da114fa1144aafbd59c80476d" alt="Node deployment configuration — step 1" width="1826" height="872" data-path="images/vp-deploy-checkout-1.png" />

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/autheo/_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV/images/vp-deploy-checkout-2.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV&q=85&s=3a67bd1f79edc8bb9252deefb4127744" alt="Node deployment configuration — step 2" width="1530" height="937" data-path="images/vp-deploy-checkout-2.png" />

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/autheo/_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV/images/vp-deploy-checkout-3.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV&q=85&s=12a2e4b7be69ca66663f757fb6cc94c4" alt="Node deployment configuration — step 3" width="1785" height="821" data-path="images/vp-deploy-checkout-3.png" />

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/autheo/_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV/images/vp-deploy-checkout-4.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV&q=85&s=642727f9703ee07452ceaee0c723dd59" alt="Stripe checkout for node subscription" width="597" height="522" data-path="images/vp-deploy-checkout-4.png" />

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/autheo/_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV/images/vp-deploy-checkout-5.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_s1JZ2AYeWfPo4OV&q=85&s=5e99580f48dc27af045f817a8f4f8bda" alt="Node provisioning status after checkout" width="800" height="703" data-path="images/vp-deploy-checkout-5.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Bind your Sovereign license">
    Once provisioning completes, the node status changes to **Ready**. The **Manage** button becomes available in the Dashboard node table.

    Click **Manage** to bind your Sovereign license to the node. This links the license to your validator.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Stake THEO to activate">
    After binding your Sovereign license, stake (self-delegate) THEO tokens to move your node to **Active** status.

    <Warning>
      Your node does not participate in consensus and does not earn rewards until it reaches **Active** status.
    </Warning>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Validator configuration fields

When completing the validator setup after binding your license, you will fill in the following fields:

| Field                                | Description                                                                                                                                                                                   |
| ------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Validator Name**                   | A unique name to identify your validator on the network. Should be descriptive and recognizable — typically includes your brand or node identifier.                                           |
| **Commission Percentage (%)**        | The percentage of staking rewards charged to delegators as a fee. Example: at 5% commission, a delegator earning 100 THEO pays you 5 THEO.                                                    |
| **Max Commission Rate (%)**          | The maximum commission you are ever allowed to charge. **This value is permanent after validator creation** — you cannot increase your commission beyond this limit.                          |
| **Max Commission Change Rate (%)**   | The maximum percentage by which you can increase your commission per day. Protects delegators from sudden fee increases. Example: at 1%, you can raise your commission by at most 1% per day. |
| **Description**                      | A short description of your validator — can include uptime guarantees, branding, or technical details. Helps delegators evaluate your validator.                                              |
| **Delegation Amount (THEO)**         | Your self-delegation amount. Demonstrates commitment to the network. Must be within your wallet balance. Higher amounts increase delegator trust.                                             |
| **Minimum Delegation Amount (THEO)** | The minimum amount other users must delegate to your validator. Prevents spam delegations. Example: set to 10 THEO to require at least 10 THEO per delegation.                                |
| **Website (optional)**               | A link to your validator's website — provides additional information and credibility.                                                                                                         |
| **Email (optional)**                 | A contact email for your validator — allows delegators or partners to reach out.                                                                                                              |