Connecting to the testnet blockchain

Warning

This is test software. Do not use on a computer or device with sensitive or important data. Using this software will require opening firewall ports. Using this software may result in heavy internet data usage. Use at your own risk.

Windows

Open a command prompt and change to the folder to which you have installed the software. See setting up blockchain node client for more details.
Run the following command, replacing YourPasswordGoesHere with the password you used when setting up the blockchain:
```
set GETH_ACC_PWD=YourPasswordGoesHere
```
Make sure you do not add any extra space around the = symbol. Note that it is not secure to store your password in an environment variable. For testing purposes, this is ok.
Run the following command, replacing YourAccountAddressGoesHere with your account address that you noted down when setting up the blockchain:
```
set GETH_ACC_ADDRESS=YourAccountAddressGoesHere
```
Make sure you do not add any extra space around the = symbol.
Run the following two commands. These will set the Proof-of-Stake staking contract addresses.
```
set GETH_STAKING_CONTRACT_ADDRESS=0x248c9eeefcc6a45ff8556cbc046287220d4361d7
```
Run the following command:
```
connect.cmd
```
You need to prefix the command with .\ if you are using a PowerShell in admin mode.

If the connection is successful, you will see the blockchain status and blocks being downloaded. You should also be able to see output information on the screen that your account is unlocked. You can now use this node software to send and receive coins, check your account balance and much more. To receive coins for testing, reach out to the Testnet section of the Quantum Coin Community in Discord.

Linux

Open a command prompt and change to the folder to which you have installed the software. See setting up blockchain node client for more details.
Run the following command, replacing YourPasswordGoesHere with the password you used when setting up the blockchain:
```
export GETH_ACC_PWD=YourPasswordGoesHere
```
Make sure you do not add any extra space around the = symbol.
Note that it is not secure to store your password in an environment variable. For testing purposes, this is ok.
Run the following command, replacing YourAccountAddressGoesHere with your account address that you noted down when setting up the blockchain:
```
export GETH_ACC_ADDRESS=YourAccountAddressGoesHere
```
Make sure you do not add any extra space around the = symbol.
Run the following two commands. These will set the Proof-of-Stake staking contract addresses.
```
export GETH_STAKING_CONTRACT_ADDRESS=0x248c9eeefcc6a45ff8556cbc046287220d4361d7
```
Run the following command to connect to the blockchain with your account:
```
nohup sh connect.sh &
```
Run the following command to see the output logs:
```
tail -f nohup.out
```
If the connection is successful, you will see the blockchain status and blocks being downloaded. Note that the process (named geth) will continue to run till you restart the machine or kill the process.
Press ctrl + c buttons to exit the view.