Participate in Dynamic TAO - Testnet

Before installing BTCLI, you need to update your system and install Python dependencies.

Open your terminal and run:

You may need to add "sudo" before the command if you get permission errors.

After running this command, your system will be updated and have the required Python packages installed to proceed with the BTCLI installation.

Create and activate a Python virtual environment to keep BTCLI installation isolated from your system's Python packages.

First, create the virtual environment:

Then activate it:

With the virtual environment active, install the Dynamic TAO-enabled version of BTCLI:

This specific version (8.2.0rc13) is required to be able to participate in Dynamic TAO on testnet.

You can verify the installation by running:

You have two options: import an existing wallet or create a new one.

Import Existing Wallet

Run the following command:

When prompted, enter your seed phrase to recover your wallet. You'll then need to create a new password that will encrypt your wallet locally.

Make sure to store this password in a secure place, as you'll need to enter it for every transaction you make. Keep in mind that this password is specific to your local machine and isn't used anywhere else.

Create New Wallet

Alternatively, create a fresh wallet with a hotkey :

To participate in the Dynamic TAO testnet, you'll need testTAO. Follow these steps to request them:

1. Join the Bittensor Discord
2. Read the FAQ on how to get testTAO

You should reques the testTAO for netuid 0 (root subnet) for simplicity, and for the role enter "Staker/Tester".

To know the ss58-address of your coldkey, which you need to fill in the request form run this command:

Once you did it, wait for a moderator to process your request and send the testTAO to your wallet!

Now that you have testnet TAO, you can explore and interact with different subnets.

View Available Subnets

This shows all subnets with their pools, prices, and other details.

Inspect Specific Subnet

Replace the "X" with the subnet number you want to examine. Then while on the subnet view, you can see all the participants of the subnet. Most important for you will be to find UIDs that are getting dividends (like those marked in the image). These are validators to which you will be able to stake your TAO to.

Overview Your Staked TAO

When it prompts you for the wallet name or the ss58-address, you can simply type "Enter" if the name of your wallet is "default" as setup in this guide.

Staking Process

1. Find a validator receiving dividends (non-zero) in your chosen subnet
2. Run the staking command:

• Enter the validator's hotkey when prompted
• Review the transaction details and slippage information
• Enter your wallet password to confirm

Unstaking Process

When prompted:

• Enter the validator's hotkey
• Choose 'y' to unstake everything or 'n' to unstake a specific amount
• Review the transaction details and slippage information
• Confirm with your wallet password

Congratulations! You are now able to participate in the Dynamic TAO testnet!

Start by installing the official Bittensor browser extension. Once installed, you can either import an existing wallet using your seed phrase or create a new one by following the steps in our "Create Bittensor Wallet" guide. The extension will allow you to interact directly with a wallet through your browser.

Visit the testnet interface through this link:

Your wallet extension will prompt you to connect with the website. Select the wallet you have created/imported for this use-case.

After allowing the connection, you should see your wallet appear as the selected account in the interface.

The website will automatically connect to the Bittensor testnet, but verify this by clicking on the top left icon and confirming that the "custom endpoint" is set to:

For users who prefer not to install software locally, we provide a browser-based alternative using a Google Colab notebook (Google Account required). This notebook allows you to access BTCLI commands directly through your web browser, making it particularly useful for:

• Viewing subnet information
• Monitoring all subnets
• Checking subnet validators

While this method is technically optional, it's recommended for checking subnet prices etc. before staking , or required before unstaking to know the amount of ALPHA able to unstake.

When you first open the notebook, go to "File -> Save a Copy in Drive" to create your personal copy in Google Drive. This ensures you have your own private instance of the notebook where you can run the commands.

Once you're working with your copy, you have to execute each cell for BTCLI to work. To run all cells easily simply click on "Runtime -> Run all".

Once you can see the black terminal the BTCLI should be working and accepting commands. Verify this by running:

This command will be useful to understand which subnet you will want to stake with. To get more detailed information on a subnet simply run:

Replace the "X" with the subnet number you want to examine. Then while on the subnet view, you can see all the participants of the subnet. Most important for you will be to find UIDs that are getting dividends (like those marked in the image). These are validators to which you will be able to stake your TAO to.

To participate in the Dynamic TAO testnet, you'll need testTAO. Follow these steps to request them:

1. Join the Bittensor Discord
2. Read the FAQ on how to get testTAO

You should reques the testTAO for netuid 0 (root subnet) for simplicity, and for the role enter "Staker/Tester".

To know the ss58-address of your coldkey , which you need to fill in the request form go to the top of the bittensor wallet extension.

Once you did it, wait for a moderator to process your request and send the testTAO to your wallet!

Navigate to the "Developer > Extrinsics" section of Polkadot.js which was linked at the beginning of the guide. Once you decide to which subnet you want to stake to here's how to stake and unstake your testTAO:

Staking Process

1. Select "subtensorModule" from the dropdown menu in the "submit the following extrinsic" field
2. Choose "addStake" from the available functions
3. Enter the subnet's netuid you want to stake to
4. Enter the validator's hotkey address you want to stake to
5. Input your stake amount in RAO units (1 TAO = 1,000,000,000 RAO)
6. Click "Submit Transaction" -> "Sign and Submit" and approve it through your wallet extension

Unstaking Process

1. Go to "Developer > Extrinsics" (if not already there)
2. Select "subtensorModule" from the dropdown menu in the "submit the following extrinsic" field
3. Choose "removeStake"
4. Enter the subnet's netuid you want to unstake from
5. Enter the validator's hotkey you want to unstake from
6. Input the amount to unstake in raoALPHA units (1 ALPHA = 1,000,000,000 raoALPHA)

Now to understand how much ALPHA you can unstake, you will need to go to the BTCLI notebook provided before run the following command to see your current stake in all subnets:

When you will be prompted to enter the name or the ss58-address of your coldkey. In your case you will need to enter the ss58-address of your coldkey, which can be found on the top of the bittensor wallet extension, should you be using it as followed in this guide.

After understanding how much ALPHA you want to unstake enter this amount in raoALPHA.

Congratulations! You are now able to participate in the Dynamic TAO testnet!