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routstr-core/docs/provider/quickstart.md
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2026-02-13 22:22:41 +01:00

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# Quick Start
Start earning Bitcoin by selling AI access in under 5 minutes.
## What You'll Build
A **Routstr Provider Node** acts as a gateway that:
1. **Connects** to upstream AI providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, etc.)
2. **Accepts** Bitcoin payments via Cashu eCash
3. **Serves** AI requests to clients on the network
You bring the API keys, Routstr handles the billing, payments, and client management.
!!! tip "Future: Node-to-Node Routing"
In future versions, you'll be able to run a node that connects to other Routstr nodes—eliminating the need to configure upstream providers yourself. For now, you'll need your own API credentials.
---
## Prerequisites
- [Docker](https://docs.docker.com/get-docker/) installed
- API credentials from at least one AI provider (OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, etc.)
---
## 1. Prepare Configuration
Create a `.env` file in the root of the project to store your secrets:
```bash
# Initial Admin Password
ADMIN_PASSWORD=mysecretpassword
# Node Identity
NAME="My AI Node"
DESCRIPTION="Fast access to models"
# Lightning Payouts
RECEIVE_LN_ADDRESS=yourname@wallet.com
```
## 2. Start the Node
You can run the pre-built image directly:
```bash
docker run -d \
--name routstr \
-p 8000:8000 \
--env-file .env \
-v routstr-data:/app/data \
ghcr.io/routstr/proxy:latest
```
*Note: The pre-built image does not contain the UI. For the all-in-one experience with the Admin Dashboard, use the Build from Source instructions below.*
### Build from Source (Recommended)
If you want to build the node and UI yourself from source, use the unified Dockerfile:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/routstr/routstr-core.git
cd routstr-core
# Edit your .env with ADMIN_PASSWORD and API keys
cp .env.example .env
nano .env
docker build -f Dockerfile.full -t routstr-local .
docker run -d -p 8000:8000 --env-file .env --name routstr routstr-local
```
Verify it's running:
```bash
curl http://localhost:8000/v1/info
```
---
## 3. Configure via Dashboard
Open the **Admin Dashboard** at [http://localhost:8000/admin/](http://localhost:8000/admin/).
!!! note "Login"
Use the `ADMIN_PASSWORD` you defined in your `.env` file to log in. If you didn't set one, the dashboard will prompt you to set one on first visit.
### Connect Your AI Providers
1. Navigate to **Settings****Upstream**
2. Enter your upstream URL (e.g., `https://api.openai.com/v1`)
3. Enter your API key
4. Save
### Set Your Profit Margin
1. Go to **Settings****Pricing**
2. Configure your markup (default is 10%)
3. Optionally set a fixed price per request instead
### Secure the Dashboard
1. Go to **Settings****Admin**
2. Set a strong password
3. Save and re-login
---
## 3. Start Earning
Once configured, your node is live. Clients pay you in Bitcoin (via Cashu tokens) for every AI request.
### Monitor Your Earnings
The dashboard shows:
- **Total Wallet**: All Bitcoin held by your node
- **User Balances**: Funds belonging to active client sessions
- **Your Balance**: Your profit (`Total - User Balances`)
### Withdraw Profits
1. Go to **Withdraw** in the dashboard
2. Select amount and mint
3. Generate a Cashu token
4. Redeem to your Lightning wallet
---
## Next Steps
- **[Deployment](deployment.md)**: Production setup with Docker Compose and Tor
- **[Dashboard Guide](dashboard.md)**: Full reference for all dashboard features
- **[Pricing](pricing.md)**: Configure pricing strategies and per-model overrides
- **[Discovery](discovery.md)**: Announce your node on Nostr for clients to find you