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Archethic

Archethic is open-source Elixir software for running a node in the Archethic blockchain network. It implements transaction-chain generation and mining, peer-to-peer networking, node election, ARCH consensus and a built-in smart-contract interpreter. The repository also describes decentralized identity, token minting, an embedded explorer, an internal price-feed oracle and self-repair for resynchronizing missing trans

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Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Archethic — OpenViST project profile in Layer 1.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use Archethic when you need the node implementation itself for local development, code-level exploration or building around its transaction-chain and smart-contract capabilities. The README's node setup instructions are for development rather than testnet or mainnet participation.

Who it is for

  • Developers building or studying the Archethic node and transaction-chain software.
  • People setting up local development nodes with Elixir or Docker Compose.
  • Builders exploring smart contracts, decentralized identity or applications that interact with Archethic transaction-chain data.

Documented uses

  • Run a local Archethic node for development.
  • Start multiple configured nodes to explore peer-to-peer networking and node behavior.
  • Develop or examine transaction-chain, smart-contract and decentralized-identity capabilities.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

The repository is public and identifies the project as open source under AGPL-3.0. Documented development platforms are Linux (Ubuntu 18.04) and macOS; Docker Compose is also described.

  • The project is node infrastructure that you run, not a hosted application described in the README.
  • The Elixir workflow requires several system dependencies, including Libsodium, OpenSSL, Erlang/OTP, GMP, MiniUPnP and npm.
  • Docker instructions require the Docker Compose plugin and provide commands for up to three named nodes.
  • The README distinguishes development setup from testnet and mainnet operation.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Set up and start a development node with Elixir

Prepare the documented Elixir development environment, fetch project dependencies and start one local node.

Before you start

  • Elixir 1.14 and Erlang OTP 25
  • Libsodium, OpenSSL 1.11, GMP, MiniUPnP and npm for static assets
  • Linux (Ubuntu 18.04) or macOS; Apple Silicon may need the repository's additional setup

Steps

  1. Clone the archethic-node repository and change into its directory.

  2. Run mix deps.get to fetch dependencies.

  3. Install static asset dependencies with cd assets ; npm install; cd -.

  4. Start the node with iex -S mix.

Expected outcome

A node process started for development using the repository's documented Elixir workflow.

Guide limitations

  • The README describes this as development setup, not testnet or mainnet onboarding.
  • Apple Silicon may encounter issues and has a separate setup procedure.
Documentation 1 ↗
Source-based practical guide

Build and start development nodes with Docker Compose

Build the node image and start one or more of the repository's configured development nodes.

Before you start

  • Docker
  • Docker Compose plugin
  • A clone of the archethic-node repository

Steps

  1. Clone the repository and change into the archethic-node directory.

  2. Build the image with the command below.

    Documented command
    docker build -t archethic-node .

  3. Start a configured node with the command below, the command below or the command below; use the command below to start all configured nodes.

    Documented command
    docker compose up node1
    Documented command
    docker compose up node2
    Documented command
    docker compose up node3
    Documented command
    docker compose up

Expected outcome

The Docker image is built and the selected configured development node or nodes are started.

Guide limitations

  • The README documents these commands for development, not testnet or mainnet operation.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
Source availability
Active
Sources checked
9 October 2026
Original website title
archethic-foundation/archethic-node · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
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