> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://service.block-pro.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://service.block-pro.net/mainnet/celestia/light-node.md).

# Light Node

Already running a node? See [Upgrade](/mainnet/celestia/light-node/upgrade.md).

**Mainnet** · Chain ID `celestia`

A light node samples data availability. It does not become a validator or earn validator rewards by running.

Complete [Install celestia-node](/mainnet/celestia/bridge-node/install-da.md) first.

## Choose a consensus connection

Use an application gRPC endpoint for state queries and transactions. BlockPro publishes a [gRPC hostname](/mainnet/celestia/services/endpoints.md), but its port and TLS mode must be confirmed before using it in this command.

Initialize the light node store for Mainnet. Save any recovery phrase privately.

```bash
celestia light init --p2p.network celestia
```

Start the node in the foreground and inspect the connection. Use a bare hostname, without https\://. Add --core.tls only when the endpoint uses TLS.

```bash
celestia light start --p2p.network celestia --core.ip YOUR_CONFIRMED_GRPC_HOST --core.port YOUR_CONFIRMED_GRPC_PORT
```

After checking the foreground process, stop it with Ctrl+C before starting the same store under systemd.

## Run as a service

Create the service definition. Replace the Linux user, home and any endpoint placeholders.

```bash
sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/celestia-light.service
```

Paste this configuration; retain the same TLS choice used in your successful foreground test.

```ini
[Unit]
Description=Celestia light node (Mainnet)
Wants=network-online.target
After=network-online.target

[Service]
User=YOUR_LINUX_USER
Environment=HOME=/home/YOUR_LINUX_USER
ExecStart=/home/YOUR_LINUX_USER/go/bin/celestia light start --p2p.network celestia --core.ip YOUR_CONFIRMED_GRPC_HOST --core.port YOUR_CONFIRMED_GRPC_PORT
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=5
LimitNOFILE=1400000

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target
```

Load the new unit.

```bash
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
```

Enable and start the service.

```bash
sudo systemctl enable --now celestia-light
```

Check recent logs for successful connections and advancing headers.

```bash
sudo journalctl -u celestia-light -n 100 --no-pager
```

List addresses in the default DA key store. The test backend is unencrypted; do not keep a validator treasury in this store.

```bash
cel-key list --node.type light --p2p.network celestia --keyring-backend test
```

Source: [Celestia documentation](https://docs.celestia.org/operate/data-availability/light-node/quickstart/).