# About this release

[This release](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/releases/tag/v1.0.0-rc4) is the fourth release candidate.\
It:

* Enables signing of micro blocks when using configuration `autostart: false`
* Makes the number of nodes to gossip to configurable

This release does not introduce backward incompatible changes in the chain format.

Please join the testnet by following the instructions below, and let us know if you have any problems by [opening a ticket](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/issues).\
Troubleshooting of common issues is documented [in the wiki](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/wiki/Troubleshooting).

The instructions below describe:

* [How to retrieve the released software for running a node](#retrieve-the-software-for-running-a-node);
* [How to install a node](#install-node);
* [How to join the testnet](#join-the-testnet).

## Retrieve the software for running a node

You can run a node by either:

* Installing the published [release binary](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/releases/tag/v1.0.0-rc4) corresponding to your platform; or
* Running the published [Docker image `aeternity/epoch`](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/blob/v1.0.0-rc4/docs/docker.md); or
* [Building a release binary from source](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/blob/v1.0.0-rc4/docs/build.md).

The user configuration is documented in the [wiki](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/wiki/User-provided-configuration).\
For specifying configuration using the Docker image, please refer to [its documentation](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/blob/v1.0.0-rc4/docs/docker.md).

The node user API is documented:

* HTTP API endpoints are specified [online in swagger.yaml](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/blob/v1.0.0-rc4/config/swagger.yaml);
  * A JSON version of the same specification is located in the node at path `lib/aehttp-0.1.0/priv/swagger.json`.
  * The JSON version can be obtained from a running node using the endpoint `/api`.
  * An interactive visualization of the same specification is available [online](https://aeternity.github.io/epoch-api-docs/?config=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/aeternity/epoch/v1.0.0-rc4/apps/aehttp/priv/swagger.json).
* WebSocket API endpoints are [specified online](https://github.com/aeternity/protocol/blob/epoch-v1.0.0-rc4/epoch/api/README.md);
* The intended usage of the user API (HTTP and WebSocket) is [documented online](https://github.com/aeternity/protocol/blob/epoch-v1.0.0-rc4/epoch/api/README.md).

## Install node

The instructions for installing a node using a release binary are in [the dedicated separate document](https://docs.aeternity.com/developer-documentation/aeternity/docs/installation).

For installation of a node using the Docker image, please refer to [its documentation online](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/blob/v1.0.0-rc4/docs/docker.md).

## Join the testnet

This section describes how to run a node as part of the testnet - the public test network of nodes - by using the release binary.

For running a node as part of the testnet by using the Docker image, please consult [its documentation](https://github.com/aeternity/epoch/blob/v1.0.0-rc4/docs/docker.md) in addition to this section.

### Inspect the testnet

The core nodes of the public test network are accessible from the Internet.

Information, e.g. height, of the top block of the longest chain as seen by these core nodes of the testnet can be obtained by opening in the browser any of the following URLs:

* <http://52.10.46.160:3013/v2/blocks/top>
* <http://13.250.162.250:3013/v2/blocks/top>
* <http://18.130.148.7:3013/v2/blocks/top>

### Setup your node

Setting up your node consists of:

* Configuring your node - see instructions in [the dedicated separate document](https://docs.aeternity.com/developer-documentation/aeternity/docs/configuration);
* Starting your node and verifying it works as expected - see instructions in [the dedicated separate document](https://docs.aeternity.com/developer-documentation/aeternity/docs/operation).


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.aeternity.com/developer-documentation/aeternity/docs/release-notes/release-notes-1.0.0-rc4.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.