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Getting Started for Node Operators

Terminus Agents are lightweight, autonomous compute units that you can run on your own hardware. By running a node, you contribute to the network’s processing power and earn rewards for completing tasks.

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Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed:
  • Node.js: Version 18 or higher (Download)
  • Git: For cloning the repository
  • LLM Provider: Either an xAI API Key (Get Key) OR a Local LLM (via Ollama/LM Studio).
  • Ethereum Wallet: A valid EVM address (0x…) to receive payouts.

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1. Installation

First, clone the terminus-agents repository to your local machine: 
git clone https://github.com/terminus-core/terminus-agents
cd terminus-agents
Install the necessary dependencies: 
npm install

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2. Configuration & Initialization

Terminus comes with an interactive CLI tool to help you set up your node easily. Run the initialization wizard: 
npx terminus-agent init
You will be prompted to provide the following details:
  1. Agent Type: Select the specialization for your agent (e.g., travel-planner, crypto-advisor). This determines the type of tasks your node will accept.
  2. Wallet Address: Enter your public Ethereum address. This is receiving address for your 50% execution share.
  3. LLM Provider: Choose between a Cloud API or a Local Model:
    • xAI (Grok): Ideal for maximum performance without hardware strain. Requires an API Key.
    • Local LLM (Ollama / LM Studio): Run entirely offline. Requires a capable GPU.
      • Base URL: Usually http://localhost:11434/v1
      • Model Name: e.g., llama3, mistral, gemma:7b
  4. Control Plane URL: Enter the WebSocket URL of the orchestrator.
    • Testnet: ws://testnet.terminus.money
    • Local Dev: ws://localhost:8080

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3. NFT Verification & Security

To prevent unauthorized nodes from flooding the network, Terminus enforces a Proof-of-Ownership check. Your node must prove it holds the required Terminus Agent NFT. You will be asked to provide the Private Key of the wallet holding the NFT.
[!WARNING] Security Notice: Your private key is NEVER sent to the network or the Control Plane. It is stored securely on your local machine and uses Local Signing to:
  1. Sign a cryptographic challenge to prove identity during the handshake.
  2. Sign the results of your tasks to ensure data integrity.
This mechanism ensures that only legitimate NFT holders can engage in the “Verify-then-Settle” economy.

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4. Launching Your Node

Once initialized, start your agent with the following command: 
npx terminus-agent run
You should see output indicating that your agent has successfully connected to the Control Plane and is waiting for tasks: 
[INFO] Connecting to ws://localhost:8080...
[SUCCESS] Connected! Node ID: agent-xyz123
[INFO] Status: IDLE | Waiting for tasks...

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5. Monitoring & Management

Your configuration is stored locally in ~/.terminus/config.json. You can check your node’s current configuration at any time: 
npx terminus-agent status

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Troubleshooting

  • Connection Refused: Ensure the Control Plane URL is correct and the server is reachable.
  • Invalid API Key: Double-check your xAI API key validity. If the key is expired or incorrect, the agent effectively becomes “blind” and cannot perform tasks.