Add Validator Setup Guide

docs/nodes/validator.md

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+---
+sidebar_position: 1
+---
+
+# Create a Validator
+
+This guide walks you through the basic steps to set up a validator on the Axone testnet. It focuses on the setup process and does not discuss validator architecture or security measures.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+Before following these steps, ensure you have a fully synchronized full node running. If you haven’t set one up yet, refer to the [Node Installation Guide](installation) instructions.
+
+## 1. Create or restore a key pair
+
+The first step is to create a new key pair for your validator. Replace `WALLET_NAME` with a key name of your choice and run the following:
+
+```bash
+axoned keys add WALLET_NAME
+```
+
+:::warning
+After generating a new key, you’ll receive its information along with a seed phrase. This phrase is critical: store it in a safe place, as it’s the sole backup for restoring your keys. Losing it means losing access to your $AXONE tokens forever.
+:::
+
+Alternatively, you can restore an existing wallet with a mnemonic seed phrase. Replace `WALLET_NAME` with a key name of your choice and run the following:
+
+```bash
+axoned keys add WALLET_NAME --recover
+```
+
+Then get your public address:
+
+```bash
+axoned keys show WALLET_NAME --address
+```
+
+## 2. Get testnet $AXONE
+
+The validator registration process involves sending a create-validator transaction, which requires gas fees. Before proceeding, make sure to send funds to the address you generated earlier.
+
+You can get testnet $AXONE tokens from faucet:
+
+- [Axone testnet faucet](https://faucet.axone.xyz)
+
+To verify your balance, use this command:
+
+```bash
+axoned query bank balances WALLET_NAME
+```
+
+## 3. Create a validator
+
+Once your node is fully synchronized and you've acquired the necessary $AXONE tokens, you can proceed with validator registration.
+
+To establish a validator with an initial self-delegation, prepare a `validator.json` configuration file and execute the create-validator transaction.
+
+1. Obtain your validator public key by running the following command:
+
+   ```bash
+   axoned comet show-validator
+   ```
+
+   The command output will resemble the following example (with a different validator key):
+
+   ```bash
+   {"@type":"/cosmos.crypto.secp256k1.PubKey","key":"A/iJGMhwsd5J4y0weGxmSqT2q1G9g0nFo6GgCHBopwc0"}
+   ```
+
+2. Create a file named `validator.json` with the following contents:
+
+   ```json
+   {
+     "pubkey": {
+       "@type": "/cosmos.crypto.ed25519.PubKey",
+       "key": "A/iJGMhwsd5J4y0weGxmSqT2q1G9g0nFo6GgCHBopwc0"
+     },
+     "amount": "1000000uaxone",
+     "moniker": "your validator human-readable name (moniker)",
+     "identity": "your validator identity signature",
+     "website": "(optional) your validator website",
+     "security": "(optional) your validator security contact",
+     "details": "(optional) your validator details",
+     "commission-rate": "0.1",
+     "commission-max-rate": "0.2",
+     "commission-max-change-rate": "0.01",
+     "min-self-delegation": "1"
+   }
+   ```
+
+   Max-change-rate, set the initial self-delegation `amount`, and must replace the key field with your own validator `key` from earlier.
+
+  :::warning
+  When setting commission parameters, the `commission-max-change-rate` is measured **in percentage points** of the `commission-rate`.  
+  For example: changing from `1%` to `2%` represents a `100%` relative increase,  
+  but the `commission-max-change-rate` value would be `0.01` (1 percentage point).
+  :::
+
+
+4. You're now ready to submit the transaction and create your validator
+   ```bash
+   axoned tx staking create-validator validator.json \
+     --from=WALLET_NAME \
+     --chain-id=axone-dentrite-1 \
+     --fees=900000uaxone \
+     --gas auto \
+     --gas-adjustment 1.6
+   ```
+   :::tip
+   This is just a sample transaction. To explore all available parameters and customization flags for your validator, run: `axoned tx staking create-validator --help`
+   :::
+
+## 4. Make sure to create backups of all important files before proceeding
+
+To ensure validator recovery in case of failure or data loss, you must create encrypted backups of these critical files:
+
+- `priv_validator_key.json`
+- `node_key.json`
+
+## 5. Check your validator
+
+Check if your validator is in the active set by running this command:
+
+```bash
+axoned query consensus comet validator-set | grep "$(axoned comet show-address)"
+```
+
+An empty output indicates your validator is not currently in the active set.