> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.polygon.technology/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Using binaries

> Steps to install Heimdall and Bor binaries, configure, and start a Polygon PoS full node.

This guide walks through installing and starting a Polygon PoS full node using binaries. For system requirements, see the [prerequisites guide](/pos/how-to/prerequisites/).

<Tip title="Snapshots">
  Steps in these guide involve waiting for the Heimdall and Bor services to fully sync. This process takes several days to complete.

  Please use snapshots for faster syncing without having to sync over the network. For detailed instructions, see [Sync node using snapshots](/pos/how-to/snapshots/).
</Tip>

## Overview

<Warning>
  It is essential to follow the outlined sequence of actions precisely, as any deviation may lead to potential issues.
</Warning>

* Prepare the machine.
* Install Heimdall and Bor binaries on the full node machine.
* Set up Heimdall and Bor services on the full node machine.
* Configure the full node machine.
* Start the full node machine.
* Check node health with the community.

### Install `build-essential`

This is *required* for your full node. In order to install, run the below command:

```bash theme={null}
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install build-essential
```

## Install binaries

Install both Heimdall and Bor in order. Both must be running to operate a full node.

### Heimdall

Install the latest version of Heimdall and related services. Make sure you checkout to the correct [release version](https://github.com/0xPolygon/heimdall-v2/releases).

To install *Heimdall*, run the following commands:

```bash theme={null}
curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/0xPolygon/install/heimdall-v2/heimdall-v2.sh | bash -s -- <heimdall_version> <network> <node_type>
```

You can run the above command with the following options:

* `heimdall_version`: Valid v0.2+ release tag from [https://github.com/0xPolygon/heimdall-v2/releases](https://github.com/0xPolygon/heimdall-v2/releases)
* `network_type`: `mainnet` and `amoy`
* `node_type`: `sentry`

This will install the `heimdalld` binary.

Then, edit the configuration files under `/var/lib/heimdall/config`\
The templates for each supported network are available [here](https://github.com/0xPolygon/heimdall-v2/tree/develop/packaging/templates/config)\
Download the `genesis.json` file and place it under `/var/lib/heimdall/config/`
Use the following commands based on your target network:

```bash theme={null}
cd /var/lib/heimdall/config
curl -fsSL <BUCKET_URL> -o genesis.json
```

Where `BUCKET_URL` is

* [https://storage.googleapis.com/amoy-heimdallv2-genesis/migrated\_dump-genesis.json](https://storage.googleapis.com/amoy-heimdallv2-genesis/migrated_dump-genesis.json) for amoy
* [https://storage.googleapis.com/mainnet-heimdallv2-genesis/migrated\_dump-genesis.json](https://storage.googleapis.com/mainnet-heimdallv2-genesis/migrated_dump-genesis.json) for mainnet

Verify the installation by checking the Heimdall version on your machine:

```bash theme={null}
heimdalld version
```

It should return the version of Heimdall you installed.

### Bor

Install the latest version of Bor, based on valid v2.0+ [released version](https://github.com/0xPolygon/bor/releases).

```bash theme={null}
curl -L https://raw.githubusercontent.com/0xPolygon/install/main/bor.sh | bash -s -- <bor_version> <network_type> <node_type>
```

You can run the above command with following options:

* `bor_version`: valid v2.0+ release tag from [https://github.com/0xPolygon/bor/releases](https://github.com/0xPolygon/bor/releases)
* `network_type`: `mainnet` and `amoy`
* `node_type`: `sentry`

That will install the `bor` binary. Verify the installation by checking the Bor version on your machine:

```bash theme={null}
bor version
```

### Configure Heimdall and Bor seeds

The latest bor and heimdall seeds can be found [here](https://docs.polygon.technology/pos/reference/seed-and-bootnodes/). To configure them, update the following lines:

* If not done previously, set the `seeds` and `persistent_peers` values in `/var/lib/heimdall/config/config.toml`
* Set the `bootnodes` in `/var/lib/bor/config.toml`

This will ensure your node connects to the peers.

### (Optional) Start Heimdall from snapshot

In case you want to start Heimdall from a snapshot,\
you can download it, and extract in the `data` folder.
Examples of snapshots can be found here [https://all4nodes.io/Polygon](https://all4nodes.io/Polygon), and they are managed by the community.

e.g.:

```bash theme={null}
lz4 -dc polygon-heimdall-24404501-25758577.tar.lz4 | tar -x
```

### Update service config user permission

```bash theme={null}
sed -i 's/User=heimdall/User=root/g' /lib/systemd/system/heimdalld.service
sed -i 's/User=bor/User=root/g' /lib/systemd/system/bor.service
```

## Start services

Run the full Heimdall node with these commands on your Sentry Node:

```bash theme={null}
sudo service heimdalld start
```

<Warning title="Wait for Heimdall to complete syncing">
  Ensure that Heimdall is fully synced before starting Bor. Initiating Bor without complete synchronization of Heimdall may lead to frequent issues.
</Warning>

To check if Heimdall is synced:

1. On the remote machine/VM, run `curl localhost:26657/status`.
2. In the output, `catching_up` value should be `false`.

Once Heimdall is synced, run the following command:

```bash theme={null}
sudo service bor start
```

## Logs

Logs can be managed by the `journalctl` linux tool. Here is a tutorial for advanced usage: [How To Use Journalctl to View and Manipulate Systemd Logs](https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-use-journalctl-to-view-and-manipulate-systemd-logs).

### Check Heimdall node logs

```bash theme={null}
journalctl -u heimdalld.service -f
```

### Check Bor node logs

```bash theme={null}
journalctl -u bor.service -f
```