paiNet is an open source node program for developers and hobbyists who want to run a testnet node for the Ergo network on a Windows PC. It suits people who are comfortable working with Docker and editing a configuration file. ErgoPlatform has adopted paiNet as its official testnet, which gives the project a clear purpose within the Ergo ecosystem.
Before you install, note that the latest version is v0.5.1 and the last code update was made on November 18, 2022. That is more than two years ago, so treat paiNet as a testing tool rather than a service you rely on in production. Windows is listed among the supported platforms, but that support has not been verified, so plan your first run as a test. The program is free and runs inside Docker containers instead of as a standard Windows installer.
What Is a Testnet Node and Why Run One?
A blockchain node is software that connects to a network, keeps a copy of its data and checks transactions against the network's rules. A testnet runs the same kind of software on a separate network that uses test coins, so developers can try applications and transactions without risking real money.
paiNet fits into this picture as a node for the Ergo testnet. Running one lets you see how a node starts, syncs and reports its status. You also learn how it behaves under the memory and disk limits of your own hardware, which is useful information before you build anything on top of the network.
For many people, the value is practical experience. Watching a node start from a clean state, reading its logs and restarting it after a change teaches how blockchain infrastructure works in day-to-day use.
Who Should Consider paiNet
paiNet is most useful for developers who are building or testing tools that interact with Ergo. A developer might run the node on a spare Windows machine to check how an application behaves when connected to a testnet. Students learning how node software is structured can also use it as a hands-on example.
It is less suited to people who expect a simple click-to-install application. The setup depends on Docker and Docker Compose, and the project's last code update dates from 2022. If you are not comfortable reading a configuration file or troubleshooting containers, a more actively maintained client may save time.
Community members who want to understand how the Ergo testnet is operated may also find paiNet worth a look, as long as they keep their expectations realistic about its current development status.
How Docker Packaging Shapes the Setup
Docker packages software and its dependencies into containers. A container runs in an isolated environment, so the node does not need to be installed directly into Windows in the same way a typical desktop program would be. This can keep system changes contained and make it easier to remove the node later.
Docker Compose describes how containers should run in a single file. Because paiNet relies on that file, most of the day-to-day control happens there. Changing a value and recreating the container is a different action from editing a standard program's settings menu, and that difference is worth understanding before you start.
The trade-off is that Docker adds its own layer of concepts, such as images, containers and logs. Learning these basics makes troubleshooting far easier than guessing at errors in an unfamiliar environment.
Key features
Editable configuration file
Quick reload with Docker Compose
Ready for Ergo testnet work
Supported coins
paiNet is associated with the Ergo network, whose native token is ERG. The project documentation also mentions Nano. Ergo is the main focus because ErgoPlatform adopted paiNet as its official testnet. Check the project repository for the latest list of supported networks before planning work around a specific one.
How to install PaiNet on Windows
- 1
Install Docker and Docker Compose
Docker and Docker Compose must be installed before you start. On Windows, Docker Desktop is the usual way to get both. After installation, confirm that Docker is running and that the docker compose command works in your terminal.
- 2
Download paiNet from the official source
Download only from the official source, which is the project's GitHub repository at github.com/mgpai22/paiNet. Look for the Releases page to find the tagged version, such as v0.5.1. Avoid unofficial mirrors, forks and archives shared on forums.
- 3
Review the configuration file
Open the configuration file included with the project in a plain text editor. If the default settings suit your needs, leave them as they are. Change only the values you understand, and save a copy of the original file before editing.
-
Start the node with Docker Compose
Open a terminal in the project folder and run docker compose up --force-recreate -d. The -d option runs the containers in the background so the terminal stays free. If the node was already running, the same command reloads the updated settings.
System requirements
- About 10 GB of free disk space
- About 2 GB of RAM
- Docker and Docker Compose installed
- Memory allocation can be raised by editing the -Xmx6G flag in docker-compose.yml
How to use PaiNet
Once the node is installed, you will mostly adjust settings and restart it. The process is short, but the order matters, so follow the steps below each time you make a change.
- Open the configuration file in the project folder and make only the changes you need.
- Save the file and close the editor.
- Open a terminal in the project folder and run docker compose up --force-recreate -d to apply the changes.
- Check the container logs with docker compose logs to confirm that the node started without errors.
- If you need more memory, change the -Xmx6G flag in docker-compose.yml to a value that fits your machine, then repeat step 3.
- When you are finished, stop the node with docker compose down.
Keep a short note of each change you make. If the node behaves differently after an edit, you can revert that single change and restart, which is much easier than hunting for the cause across several edits.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source, with the code publicly available on GitHub
- Adopted by ErgoPlatform as its official testnet
- Default settings work without any editing
- Docker packaging keeps the environment separate from the rest of Windows
- Applying configuration changes takes a single command
- The last code update was in November 2022, more than two years ago
- Windows support is listed but has not been verified
- Requires familiarity with Docker and Docker Compose
- Needs about 10 GB of disk space and 2 GB of RAM
- Version numbering below 1.0 suggests an early-stage project
Is PaiNet safe?
paiNet is open source, so its code is public on GitHub and can be reviewed before you run it. Download only from the official GitHub repository, not from forks, reposted archives or links in search ads. If the release page publishes a SHA-256 checksum or a signature, verify the file against it before you run anything. If no checksum is published, be more cautious about what you execute.
The same caution applies to compose files and container images. Use the files from the official repository rather than copies from other sites. Because the last code update was in 2022, check the latest version on the official website and review open issues before you deploy the node on a machine you care about. Never enter a seed phrase on third-party websites, whatever a tool or guide asks for.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/mgpai22/paiNet. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
paiNet is narrower in scope than general-purpose node software. Bitcoin Core and Geth are built for the Bitcoin and Ethereum networks, respectively, and they cover much broader use cases. Nethermind is a .NET client for Ethereum execution, which again points to a different ecosystem.
Ergode is probably the closest alternative to consider. It is an experimental full node written in TypeScript, so it shares paiNet's experimental character but uses a different language and codebase. paiNet stands out because ErgoPlatform adopted it as the official Ergo testnet, and because its Docker-first setup trades deep customization for a quicker start. If you want to test on Ergo, paiNet is the more direct fit.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- —
- Latest version
- v0.5.1
- Last update
- 18 Nov 2022
- Windows support
- Unverified (Windows mentioned in docs)
- Source code
- github.com/mgpai22/paiNet
Frequently asked questions
paiNet is open source, so you can review its code on GitHub before running it. Download only from the official GitHub repository and verify any published checksum or signature. Because its last code update was in November 2022, treat it as experimental and do not rely on it for anything critical.
No, paiNet is set up around Docker and Docker Compose, so you need both installed first. Windows is listed among its platforms, but that support has not been verified, so treat your first run as a test. Linux is also listed among the supported platforms.
The project suggests about 10 GB of free disk space and 2 GB of RAM. If you want to change the memory allocation, edit the -Xmx6G flag in docker-compose.yml. Check that your machine has enough free memory before raising the value, because a higher setting only helps if the system can spare the resources.
Yes, paiNet is free and open source, so there is no purchase price or license fee to download it. Your real costs come from your own hardware, disk space and electricity. Read the repository for any licensing details before you redistribute the software.
paiNet is associated with the Ergo network, which uses the ERG token. Its documentation also mentions Nano. Ergo is the main focus because ErgoPlatform adopted paiNet as its official testnet. Check the repository for the most current list of networks.
Development activity appears limited. The latest version is v0.5.1, and the last code update was on November 18, 2022. Because the project has been quiet for more than two years, use it for testing and watch the repository for new activity before depending on it.
Verdict
paiNet suits developers and hobbyists who want a hands-on Ergo testnet node and are comfortable with Docker. It is free, open source and tied to the ErgoPlatform testnet, which gives it a clear purpose. The 2022 code update and unverified Windows support mean it works best for experiments and learning rather than for anything you depend on. Set your expectations accordingly and treat each setup as a trial run.