# TRI Bootstrap Server

Self-hosted bootstrap server for the Triangles (TRI) cryptocurrency network.

Serves blockchain bootstrap archives over both **clearnet (HTTPS)** and **Tor onion**, enabling new nodes to sync quickly without downloading 2M+ blocks from peers.

---

## What is a Bootstrap Server?

When a new Triangles node starts with no chain data, it needs a trusted source of truth. Rather than syncing from random peers (which might be on a minority/forked chain), the node downloads a signed, known-good blockchain snapshot from a trusted bootstrap URL.

This server provides:
- **HTTPS endpoint** — for nodes on clearnet
- **Tor onion endpoint** — for nodes that prefer or require Tor anonymity

---

## Architecture

```
                    ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
                    │        Bootstrap Server              │
                    │   (your server, e.g. DNS2)         │
                    │                                     │
  New TRI Node ─────►│  Caddy (HTTPS :443) ───► static    │
  (clearnet)        │         │                           │
                    │  Tor HS (:80) ──────► same static │
                    │         │                           │
                    └─────────│───────────────────────────┘
                              │
                    Triangles Bootstrap Archive
                    (blk0001.dat + txleveldb + database/)
```

---

## Quick Start

### 1. Clone / Download This Repo

```bash
git clone https://github.com/SamiAhmed7777/tri-bootstrap-server.git
cd tri-bootstrap-server
```

### 2. Configure Environment

```bash
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env with your settings
```

Key variables:
- `BOOTSTRAP_DIR` — where bootstrap archives are stored
- `TOR_HS_PORT` — internal port for Tor hidden service (default: 80)
- `CUDDLE_DOMAIN` — your domain (e.g. `bootstrap.cryptographic-triangles.org`)

### 3. Run

```bash
# Using the setup script
sudo ./scripts/setup.sh

# Or manually:
sudo cp tor/torrc /etc/tor/tri-bootstrap/torrc
sudo systemctl enable --now tor@tri-bootstrap
sudo cp systemd/tri-bootstrap-caddy.service /etc/systemd/system/
sudo systemctl enable --now tri-bootstrap-caddy
```

### 4. Generate Your First Bootstrap

```bash
# On a trusted, synced TRI node:
./scripts/generate-bootstrap.sh /path/to/.triangles

# Upload the archive to your server:
scp triangles-bootstrap.tar.gz user@your-server:/opt/triangles-bootstrap/
```

---

## Scripts

| Script | Purpose |
|--------|---------|
| `generate-bootstrap.sh` | Creates a `triangles-bootstrap.tar.gz` from a running node's chain data |
| `publish-bootstrap.sh` | Uploads to Dropbox (optional bridge) |
| `verify-bootstrap.sh` | Verifies archive integrity and chain hash |

---

## Tor Onion Setup

The server automatically creates a Tor hidden service. The `.onion` address is stored in:

```
/var/lib/tor/tri-bootstrap/hostname
```

Share this address with nodes that need Tor-only connectivity.

---

## For Node Operators

In your TRI node's `triangles.conf`:

```ini
# Use this bootstrap server
bootstrap=https://bootstrap.your-domain.com/triangles-bootstrap.tar.gz

# Or via Tor (replace with your server's onion address)
bootstrap=http://your-onion-address.onion/triangles-bootstrap.tar.gz
```

---

## Repo Structure

```
tri-bootstrap-server/
├── README.md
├── LICENSE
├── .env.example
├── caddy/
│   └── Caddyfile.template
├── tor/
│   └── torrc.template
├── scripts/
│   ├── setup.sh
│   ├── generate-bootstrap.sh
│   ├── publish-bootstrap.sh
│   └── verify-bootstrap.sh
├── systemd/
│   ├── tor-bootstrap.service
│   └── tri-bootstrap-caddy.service
└── docs/
    ├── bootstrap-format.md
    └── operator-guide.md
```

---

## Security Notes

- The bootstrap archive contains the blockchain up to a point in time — it is NOT a wallet and contains no keys
- Always generate bootstrap from a **trusted, verified canonical node**
- Verify the `bestblockhash` of your bootstrap against known-good references before publishing
- Tor hidden service provides anonymity for nodes that need it, but the clearnet HTTPS route is faster for most users