Node Creation

Quick Start

Create a node in 3 steps:

1. Navigate: Dashboard → "Create Node"

2. Configure: Select network (mainnet/testnet), choose region

3. Deploy: Click "Create" - node ready in 2-3 minutes

Configuration Options

Network Selection:

• Mainnet: Production environment, real bitcoin

• Testnet: Testing environment, test coins only

Region Selection:

• US East (Virginia)

• US West (Oregon)

• EU West (Ireland)

• Asia Pacific (Singapore)

Choose region closest to your users for optimal latency.

Node Specifications:

• CPU: 2-4 cores

• RAM: 4-8 GB

• Storage: 50-500 GB SSD

• Bandwidth: Unmetered

Advanced Settings

Key Parameters:

• alias: Node name (max 32 chars)

• color: Hex color for network graph

• min_channel_size: Minimum channel capacity (sats)

• max_channel_size: Maximum channel capacity (sats)

• accept_keysend: Enable spontaneous payments

• accept_amp: Enable atomic multi-path payments

Node Operations

Starting/Stopping Nodes

Start Node: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Actions → Start, or via API.

Stop Node: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Actions → Stop, or via API.

Restart Node: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Actions → Restart, or via API.

⚠️ Warning: Stopping a node makes it unreachable. Active HTLCs may fail.

Node Status

Check node health via Dashboard: My Nodes → View node status, or via API.

Status Indicators:

• 🟢 Running: Operational, synced

• 🟡 Starting: Initializing

• 🟠 Syncing: Catching up to chain tip

• 🔴 Stopped: Offline

• ⚫ Error: Requires attention

Node Information

Get Node Details: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Overview, or via API.

Example Response:

Channel Management

Opening Channels

Manual Channel Open: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Channels → Open Channel, or via API.

Parameters:

• peer_pubkey: Target node public key

• amount: Channel capacity in satoshis

• sat_per_vbyte: Fee rate (optional, default: auto)

• private: Create private channel (optional)

Batch Channel Opening: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Channels → Batch Open, or via API.

Closing Channels

Cooperative Close: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Channels → Select Channel → Close, or via API.

Force Close: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Channels → Select Channel → Force Close, or via API.

⚠️ Force Close: Use only when peer is unresponsive. Funds locked for ~144 blocks (~24 hours).

Close All Channels: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Channels → Actions → Close All, or via API.

Channel Rebalancing

Manual Rebalancing: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Channels → Rebalance, or via API.

Circular Rebalancing: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Channels → Circular Rebalance, or via API.

Auto-Rebalancing:

Enable automatic rebalancing via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Settings → Enable Auto-Rebalancing, or via API.

Configuration:

Peer Management

Connecting to Peers

Add Peer: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Peers → Connect Peer, or via API.

Listing Peers

Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Peers, or via API.

Disconnecting Peers

Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Peers → Select Peer → Disconnect, or via API.

Backup & Recovery

Automated Backups

Comet automatically backs up:

• Channel state (every 10 minutes)

• Static channel backups (SCB) (real-time)

• Node configuration (on change)

Backup Retention: 30 days

Manual Backup

Export Channel Backup: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Backup → Export Channel Backup, or via API.

Export Full State: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Backup → Export Full Backup, or via API.

Recovery

Restore from Backup: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Backup → Restore from Backup, or via API.

Recovery Process:

1. Create new node

2. Upload backup file

3. System initiates channel recovery

4. Funds returned to on-chain wallet

⚠️ Important: Never run two nodes with same seed simultaneously. Results in channel force-closures.

Node Upgrades

LND Version Updates

Comet handles LND upgrades automatically:

1. New version tested on testnet

2. Staged rollout to mainnet nodes

3. Automatic upgrade during low-activity periods

4. Rollback capability if issues detected

Manual Upgrade: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Settings → Upgrade Version, or via API.

Downgrade

Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Settings → Downgrade Version, or via API.

⚠️ Warning: Downgrades may cause compatibility issues.

Performance Optimization

Channel Sizing

Optimal Channel Sizes:

• Small: 100k-500k sats (testing, small payments)

• Medium: 500k-5M sats (general routing)

• Large: 5M-16M sats (high-volume routing)

Peer Selection

Quality Peers:

• High uptime (>99%)

• Good connectivity (>20 channels)

• Active routing (regular forwards)

• Balanced channels (40-60% local balance)

Find Quality Peers: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Peers → Recommended Peers, or via API.

Fee Optimization

Set Base Fee: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Channels → Select Channel → Edit Policy → Set Base Fee, or via API.

Set Fee Rate: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Channels → Select Channel → Edit Policy → Set Fee Rate, or via API.

Dynamic Fee Strategy:

Monitoring

Key Metrics

Node Health:

• Uptime percentage

• Sync status

• Peer count

• Channel count

Channel Performance:

• Routing success rate

• Average routing fee

• Channel utilization

• Rebalancing frequency

Alerts

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Node Won't Start:

1. Check system status page

2. Verify account credits

3. Review error logs

4. Contact support if persists

Channels Not Opening:

• Verify peer is online

• Check sufficient on-chain balance

• Confirm fee rate is adequate

• Wait for blockchain confirmation

Poor Routing Performance:

• Rebalance channels

• Adjust fee rates

• Connect to better peers

• Increase channel capacity

Logs

View Logs: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Logs, or via API.

Filter Logs: Available via Dashboard: My Nodes → Select Node → Logs → Filter by level and time, or via API.

Best Practices

1. Start Small: Begin with testnet, move to mainnet gradually

2. Diversify Peers: Connect to 10-20 quality peers

3. Monitor Regularly: Check node health daily

4. Maintain Liquidity: Keep channels balanced

5. Backup Often: Export backups before major changes

6. Update Promptly: Apply security updates quickly

7. Set Alerts: Configure notifications for critical events

8. Document Changes: Track configuration modifications

API Access

All node management operations available via API:

See API Reference for complete documentation.

Support

• Documentation: https://docs.comet.dev

• API Status: https://status.comet.dev

• Support Email: support@comet.dev

• Community: https://community.comet.dev