Install a node

Before you start

  • A computer running Linux (x86-64, with systemd) or macOS (Apple Silicon) that stays on when you want to earn.
  • Enough memory for the models you share: a model is skipped if it's bigger than 85% of your RAM plus GPU memory. A GPU makes answers much faster, and faster nodes get more work.
  • A Friendlai account, so your node's rewards go to you.

No admin rights are needed: everything is installed for your user only.

1. Install Ollama and pull a model

Install Ollama and make sure it's running, then pull one or more models from the network catalog: 

ollama pull qwen3:8b

Models that aren't in the catalog are ignored, so they don't hurt, but they won't earn anything.

2. Create a node key

On your account page, click Create node key. You get a key starting fnk_ and one-line install commands with it filled in. Copy them now: the key is only shown once.

A node key can only register nodes to your account. It can't spend your credits or use the API, so it's safe in your shell history, and you can reuse it on several computers. You can revoke it on the account page at any time; nodes already installed keep working.

3. Run the install command

Run the command for your platform in a terminal on the computer that will be the node. It looks like this:

Linux (x86-64)

curl -fLo friendlai-node https://friendlai.xyz/downloads/node/friendlai-node-linux-x64 && chmod +x friendlai-node && ./friendlai-node install --api-key fnk_…

macOS (Apple Silicon)

curl -fLo friendlai-node https://friendlai.xyz/downloads/node/friendlai-node-darwin-arm64 && chmod +x friendlai-node && xattr -c friendlai-node && codesign --force --sign - friendlai-node && ./friendlai-node install --api-key fnk_…

On macOS, xattr and codesign clear the "downloaded from the internet" flag and sign the binary for this computer, since it isn't notarized by Apple yet.

install then:

  1. Checks that Ollama is reachable and lists the models it will serve.
  2. Registers the node with your account and gives it a public name.
  3. Copies itself into place (see where files go), so you can delete the downloaded file, and adds the friendlai-node command to your PATH.
  4. Starts the node, and sets it to start with your computer.
  5. Adds the Friendlai icon to your menu bar or system tray.

Within a minute your node appears under Your nodes on your account page. See Monitor for what to watch next.

Linux: keep it running after you log out

A Linux node runs as a systemd user service, which normally stops when you log out. To keep it running, and start it at boot, turn on lingering for your user (the installer reminds you if it's off): 

sudo loginctl enable-linger $USER

Install options

Add these to the end of the install command:

--name myrigYour node's public name. A random suffix keeps it unique, so it shows as e.g. myrig-08b6. The default is your computer's name.
--models qwen3:8b,gemma3:12bOnly share these models. The default is every model in Ollama that's in the catalog and fits in memory.
--ollama http://host:11434Use an Ollama that isn't at the default address, http://127.0.0.1:11434.
--no-auto-updateDon't update automatically. See Update.

Your node's public name, platform, GPU and totals appear on the status page. Its computer name and IP address are only visible to you and the network operator.

Installing on more computers

Reuse the same node key, or create another. Each computer becomes its own node with its own name, and all of them show on your account page.

Changing settings later

Run install again with new options, using the installed copy: 

friendlai-node install --models qwen3:8b,gemma3:12b

The node keeps its identity and rewards, unless you change --name: a new name registers a new node. Open a new terminal after installing so friendlai-node is on your PATH (see how).

A node that isn't linked to your account

A node installed without a key works, but nobody gets credit for its work, and adding a key later doesn't link it. Remove the node and its identity: 

friendlai-node uninstall --purge

Then run the install command from your account page again. The node registers as a new node, linked to you.

Uninstalling

friendlai-node uninstall

This stops the node, removes it from startup, and removes the tray icon, the friendlai-node command and the installed binary. It keeps the node's identity in node.json, so installing again later picks up where it left off. To remove that too: 

friendlai-node uninstall --purge

Ollama and your models aren't touched.