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Fiber setup for members

Do these steps in order before you click Support on a creator's page. Creators follow a different path: Fiber setup for creators.

1. 1

   Step 1: Use the same network as the creator

   If the creator is on testnet, you must be on testnet too. If they are on mainnet, you must be on mainnet. Ask them if you are unsure.

2. 2

   Step 2: Install Fiber Network Node (FNN)

   Follow Run a Fiber Node. Download fnn from GitHub Releases for your machine (VPS or home server is fine).

3. 3

   Step 3: Create a data folder and copy network config

   Copy config/testnet/config.yml or config/mainnet/config.yml into your node folder—matching step 1.

4. 4

   Step 4: Set a trusted CKB RPC in config.yml

   Set rpc_url in config.yml to a CKB endpoint you trust. See public CKB RPC nodes.

5. 5

   Step 5: Add your wallet key under the data directory

   Export a key with ckb-cli and save it as ckb/key under your -d data directory—one line, 64 hex characters, no 0x.

6. 6

   Step 6: Start FNN with a strong password

   Example:

   FIBER_SECRET_KEY_PASSWORD='your-strong-password' RUST_LOG=info ./fnn -c /path/to/config.yml -d /path/to/data-dir

7. 7

   Step 7: Fund your wallet and open outbound channels

   You must be able to send payments. Fund on-chain, then follow Basic transfer — connect peers & open a channel. Leave enough outbound capacity for the subscription price plus routing fees. Testnet bootstrap: Connect public nodes.

8. 8

   Step 8: Prove you can pay someone outside Backr

   Finish Basic transfer (or the stablecoin guide if you use that). If you cannot pay manually, fix liquidity and routing before subscribing on Backr.

9. 9

   Step 9: Plan for two payments if there is a platform contribution

   Some communities add a small platform contribution on top of the creator's price. When that is on, Backr sends two payments from your node when you subscribe—first to the creator, then the contribution. Keep extra balance and channel capacity for both.

10. 10

    Step 10: Expose JSON-RPC on a URL Backr can call

    Use HTTPS (or a shared VPN) so this website—not only your own PC—can reach your node. Test node_info with curl against the exact URL you will paste. A URL that only works as 127.0.0.1 on your laptop will usually fail.

11. 11

    Step 11: Save your URL in Backr

    Sign in, open Dashboard → Settings → Basic, and paste your Fiber JSON-RPC base URL (no path). Save.

12. 12

    Step 12: Subscribe and keep your node online

    Visit the creator, choose a tier, and use Support. For renewals, Backr will try again on a regular schedule—keep FNN running with working channels so your membership can renew.

Stuck? See Troubleshooting in the full guide, or back to Help & docs.