# Collateralize Your Node

This guide outlines the steps required to collateralize your node’s hot wallet, meeting the staking requirements needed to join the **Constellation Network Hypergraph** or a **metagraph**.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Connect to your node

Follow the [connection guide](/run-a-node/validator-node-guides/build-your-node/first-time-connection-guide.md) to connect to your node.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Export your private key

#### MainNet

```
sudo nodectl export-private-key -p dag-l0
```

#### Dor metagraph

```
suod nodectl export-private-key -p dor-dl1
```

#### IntegrationNet

You should **not export your private key** when participating on **IntegrationNet**.\
The $DAG tokens used on IntegrationNet hold <mark style="color:red;">**no intrinsic value**</mark>.

Collateral requirements for this TestNet are validated through a **connected wallet** within your **Lattice account** that contains the required 25&#x30;**,**&#x30;00 **$DAG** collateral.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Supply your p12 passphrase

Due to the sensitive nature of this command, `nodectl` will prompt you to manually re-enter your `.p12` keystore passphrase before proceeding.

```

  This command requires manual re-entry of your p12 passphrase
  You may press q + <enter> to quit
  You will not see the q echoed to the screen.
  Please enter your p12 passphrase to validate config_file:

```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Record your private key confidentially

Be careful with this private key

```
 WARNING  THIS IS YOUR PRIVATE KEY
  DO NOT EXPOSE TO ANYONE, AS YOUR HOT WALLET AND NODE CAN BE COMPROMISED!

  PRIVATE KEY FOR [constellation-node01.p12]
  =============================================================================================
  13abcdef13abcdef13abcdef13abcdef13abcdef13abcdef13abcdef13abcdef
  =============================================================================================
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Connect to your Stargazer Wallet

Login as normal.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Enter the "Settings" :gear:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/plttU7a1DAehZhe4oF2h" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Wallets

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/rE17va46tu6diRVqIsQY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add a new wallet

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/7oZTtsVaEaDuhjLIpCXL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Import a wallet

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/vUZrRtIViH2zM5LTMNPG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Constellation wallet type

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/oyklppmlSWD24j6oQQof" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Paste your private key

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/TyvSG33np6pjYlRwcRoq" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Import

<div align="left"><figure><img src="/files/CvdcTM0zw1RXX7vZxQmP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Collateralize

You may begin transferring your **$DAG** or **$DOR** tokens to your newly imported wallet.

:construction: <mark style="color:red;">**Proceed with caution**</mark>

Start by sending a small test amount to ensure the transfer is successful before committing to a full transfer.

You can continue with multiple transfers or a single lump-sum transfer after the test is confirmed.\
\
There should be no fees associated with these transfers.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.constellationnetwork.io/run-a-node/validator-node-guides/collateralize-your-node.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.