Set-up a Tor-enabled darkirc node

Step 1: Install Tor and Launch a Hidden Service

Install Tor.

Note your .onion address and the ports you used while setting up the Hidden Service.

Step 2: Build and run darkirc

In the main repository: make BINS="darkirc". Then run ./darkirc. This will create a configuration file at ~/.config/darkirc/darkirc_config.toml.

Step 3: Configure Network Settings

Change the following settings in the configuration file created in Step 2.

As you modify the file, if you notice some settings are missing, simply add them. Some settings may be commented-out by default.

# connection settings
outbound_connect_timeout = 60
channel_handshake_timeout = 55
channel_heartbeat_interval = 90
hosts_quarantine_limit = 10
outbound_peer_discovery_cooloff_time = 60

allowed_transports = ["tor", "tor+tls"]
external_addr = ["tor://youraddress.onion:your-port"]

# seeds
seeds = [
    # These addresses are commented-out by default
    "tor://rwjgdy7bs4e3eamgltccea7p5yzz3alfi2vps2xefnihurbmpd3b7hqd.onion:5262",
    "tor://f5mldz3utfrj5esn7vy7osa6itusotix6nsjhv4uirshkcvgglb3xdqd.onion:5262",
]

# inbound settings
inbound = ["tcp://127.0.0.1:your-port"]
inbound_connections = 8

This configuration allows your node to send and receive traffic only via Tor.

The settings under inbound settings are optional, but enabling them will increase the strength and reliability of the network.

Step 4: Connect

Run ./darkirc. Welcome to the dark forest.

Troubleshooting

Run darkirc -vv for verbose debugging. This will show detailed errors including tor connection issues.

Connection issues

Review the configuration file for any mistakes. Check for duplicated variables.

DagSync spam

If you see a many rapid EventReq messages in the log, it is possible that there is an incompatibility with your local darkirc database and the state of the network.

This can be resolved by deleting ~/.local/darkfi/darkirc_db/

This is a known bug and we are working on a fix.