Introduction

Testnet (test network) is a separate blockchain meant for testing new features of Gridcoin. It helps catch issues before a release so they don’t end up in the final versions. The coins on testnet don’t have actual value since they are just for testing purposes. Want to help test? See the How To Help Section for more info

Secondarily it also can be used to help test scripts or services that interact with Gridcoin without using real coins. This does not guarantee that your program will work on the main network (mainnet), but it can be helpful. Make sure to note some of differences in the Difference To Mainnet Section

How To Help

Join the Gridcoin Discord and join the #testnet channel where most of the conversation about testnet is
Look for pinned messages in #testnet about the latest downloads. If you don’t see a message, or one that is old, or just are not sure about what to do, feel free to ask a question on the channel
- If on MacOS you will likely need to ask on #testnet about downloads since a testnet version is not often produced.
- If you see any contradicting directions on #testnet, follow them instead of these as they are more likely to be accurate and up to date
Configuring the wallet (don’t run the wallet until step 4)
- On Windows
  1. Go to %appdata%/GridcoinResearch by pressing the Windows Key then Q and entering that path to get there.
  2. Click on New Folder and type testnet and press enter.
  3. Go to the testnet folder then right click -> new -> Text Document
  4. Right click -> Rename and enter gridcoinresearch.conf
  5. Right click on the file and hit edit (if it asks you what to use, you can use notepad)
  6. Copy in the config file and change CHANGE_ME to something unique. Use this testnet config file
  7. Save the file and exit the text editor
- On MacOS
  1. Go to ~/Library/Application/Support/GridcoinResearch/ by opening Finder, click on Go, then click on Go to Folder and enter that path.
  2. In that directory, right click and create a folder called testnet
  3. Right click and create a new file (any type works) and rename it to gridcoinresearch.conf
  4. Double click to open the file
  5. Copy in the config file and change CHANGE_MEto something unique. Use this testnet config file
  6. Save the file and exit TextEditor
- On Linux
  1. Go to ~/.GridcoinResearch
  2. Make a folder labeled testnet there
  3. Create a file called gridcoinresearch.conf
  4. Edit it and copy in the config file and change CHANGE_ME to something unique. Use this testnet config file
Running the wallet
- You can have both a testnet and mainnet version of the wallet running at the same time, but not two testnet or two mainnet wallets at the same time. Do not run the testnet wallet without the -testnet flag
- On Windows
  1. Right click on the file downloaded in step 2 and create a shortcut
  2. Rename the shortcut so you know and remember it’s the testnet version
  3. Right click on the shortcut and go to properties -> shortcut
  4. On the line target add -testnet to the end so it looks something like file -testnet (where file is whatever was in the target line before)
  5. Click Apply then click Ok
  6. Double click on the shortcut
- On Linux
  - The executable may or may not be in the path variable depending on your distro and how the build was setup. Make sure not to run the standard wallet on testnet (unless explicitly told to do so).
  - make sure to run with -testnet as an argument
- On MacOS
  - You will need to ask on the Discord channel about how to run it as there’s not a standard type of build for MacOS as of the time of writing
Get Testnet Coins
- Testnet coins can be obtained from various users on #testnet on Discord. Ask on that channel and give a testnet address for users to send coins to.
- Some smaller amount testnet coins can obtained through faucets for testnet
  - Testnet version of freegridco.in
  - Testnet version of gridcoinstats.eu’s faucet

The Config File

Make sure to change the CHANGE_ME value to something unique (don’t copy this line into the config)

#############################################################################
#################### TESTNET gridcoinresearch.conf file #####################
################## THIS FILE IS ONLY FOR USE ON THE TESTNET #################
######################### DO NOT USE ON PRODUCTION ##########################
#############################################################################
##
## TESTNET USERS MUST LAUNCH THE WALLET USING THE -testnet FLAG
## TESTNET USERS MUST JOIN THE #testnet CHANNEL ON DISCORD
##
## For further details on this configuration file please see:
## https://gridcoin.us/wiki/config-file
##
## Default testnet gridcoinresearch.conf location:
##
##  Windows: %AppData%\GridcoinResearch\testnet\
##  Linux:   ~/.GridcoinResearch/testnet/
##  macOS:   /Users/USERNAME/Library/Application/Support/GridcoinResearch/testnet/
##
## Single # lines are commands, remove the # in Front of the Command to use it
## Double ## lines are comments
##
#############################################################################
####################### Required Settings (All OS's) ########################
#############################################################################

## You must set your username to assist developers tracking down problems
org=CHANGE_ME

## Decrease ban expiration time. The default 24 hours is too long for testnet.
## Nodes are banned for sending bad data (seconds)
bantime=60

## These Addnodes are for TESTNET only. See Discord for further details.
addnode=addnode-us-central.cycy.me
addnode=ec2-3-81-39-58.compute-1.amazonaws.com
addnode=gridcoin.network
addnode=gridhost.ddns.net
addnode=tarmoilves.eu
addnode=testnet.dihelix.com

## Port 32748/TCP required for Inbound Connections
## (Not required but highly recommended)
listen=1

#############################################################################
######################## Optional BOINC settings ############################
########### (Required if BOINC installed to non-default location) ###########
#############################################################################

## Windows (Note the double backslashes are necessary)
#boincdatadir=C:\\ProgramData\\BOINC\\

## Linux
#boincdatadir=/var/lib/boinc-client/

## macOS
#boincdatadir=/Library/Application Support/BOINC Data/

Difference To Mainnet

Note that this is not an exhaustive list

The coins on testnet aren’t worth anything like the ones on mainnet are
- Lets testing happen without risking anything valuable
Running on new or sometimes experimental code
- This can make testnet more unstable than mainnet
- Sometimes the wallet will receive more bad data than on mainnet
Cooldown happens faster (1 hr vs 16 hrs)
- Makes it easier to test things relating to staking
Addresses are formatted differently
- Helps prevents you from accidentally sending coins to a testnet address on mainnet and vice versa
Testnet doesn’t have any checkpoints
- Helps with creating private chains for small scale testing
The fourth digit for version number is used
- Differentiates wallet versions from mainnet where it is always .0 at the end
- Keeps track of different changes in testing
- Example: 5.1.0.1 or 5.1.0.12 would be testnet versions whereas 5.1.0.0 is a mainnet version

Contacts

General questions about testnet can often go on the #testnet channel on Discord.