# Enable Auto Restart

Enabling this configuration allows your node to:

* **Automatically monitor and restart** services if they become unresponsive or disconnected from the cluster
* **Automatically check for and apply updates** via `nodectl` when new versions of Tessellation are available (based on your configuration preferences)

This ensures your node remains healthy, up-to-date, and engaged in network operations with minimal manual intervention.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Enter Configuration Edit Mode[​](https://docs-v1.constellationnetwork.io/validate/quick-start/autorestart-quickstart#-enter-configuration-edit-mode) <a href="#enter-configuration-edit-mode" id="enter-configuration-edit-mode"></a>

```
sudo nodectl configure -e -cb -d
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Access Auto Restart Options[​](https://docs-v1.constellationnetwork.io/validate/quick-start/autorestart-quickstart#-access-auto-restart-options) <a href="#access-auto-restart-options" id="access-auto-restart-options"></a>

We will choose the <kbd>R</kbd> from the Edit Menu.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Enable All Options[​](https://docs-v1.constellationnetwork.io/validate/quick-start/autorestart-quickstart#-enable-all-options) <a href="#enable-all-options" id="enable-all-options"></a>

* Choose <kbd>y</kbd> to enable **auto\_restart**
* Choose <kbd>y</kbd> to enable **auto\_upgrade**
* Choose <kbd>y</kbd> to enable **on\_boot**
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Confirm Selections[​](https://docs-v1.constellationnetwork.io/validate/quick-start/autorestart-quickstart#-confirm-selections) <a href="#confirm-selections" id="confirm-selections"></a>

Choose <kbd>y</kbd> to confirm selections.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### ◽ Exit Configurator[​](https://docs-v1.constellationnetwork.io/validate/quick-start/autorestart-quickstart#-exit-configurator) <a href="#exit-configurator" id="exit-configurator"></a>

Choose <kbd>Q</kbd> to exit back to the command line interface.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Confirm Auto Restart is Enabled[​](https://docs-v1.constellationnetwork.io/validate/quick-start/autorestart-quickstart#-confirm-auto-restart-is-enabled) <a href="#confirm-auto-restart-is-enabled" id="confirm-auto-restart-is-enabled"></a>

```
sudo nodectl auto_restart status
```

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## **Understanding the various auto restart options**

The `nodectl` utility includes several optional features designed to automate node recovery, version compliance, and startup behavior. These options help ensure your Validator node remains online, up-to-date, and resilient without requiring constant manual intervention.

***

### 🔁 auto\_restart

When `auto_restart` is **enabled**, `nodectl` continuously monitors the health and cluster status of your node.

**Key Functionality:**

* Detects if your node **drops off the cluster** due to issues such as network interruptions, process failures, or misconfigurations.
* Automatically attempts to **restart and rejoin** the node to the cluster without user involvement.
* Automatically attempts to return your node to consensus if it stops participating for a variety of reason.

This is especially helpful for maintaining high availability and reducing downtime.

***

### ⬆️ auto\_upgrade

Constellation Network requires all active Validator nodes to run the **same version** of Tessellation. If your node is not running the correct version during a cluster upgrade, it will be **rejected** from joining, regardless of its other credentials (e.g., collateral, seed list status).

#### **When `auto_upgrade` is enabled:**

* `nodectl` will **monitor the current cluster version**.
* If a version mismatch is detected, it will automatically **upgrade your node** to match the active cluster version.

This ensures version compliance and minimizes the risk of node rejection due to outdated software.

***

### 🔄 on\_boot

Enabling `on_boot` ensures that `nodectl`'s auto-recovery features are initialized **automatically when your VPS starts up**, such as after:

* A manual system reboot
* An unexpected crash
* Cloud maintenance or hardware restarts

#### **How it works:**

* On system boot, `nodectl` launches the `auto_restart` process.
* If necessary, `auto_upgrade` also activates to bring the node back in sync with the cluster version.
* This setup enables your node to **recover and reconnect unattended** after the VPS completes its boot sequence.

***

These automation features are highly recommended for production Validator nodes, as they enhance stability, uptime, and operational efficiency across the Constellation Network.