# Step 2: Download & Run the Xai Sentry Node

There are three ways to download and run a sentry node on your computer.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Desktop App" %}
The Xai Sentry Node desktop client is a user-friendly app interface that allows you to run a Xai Sentry Node on a computer. It requires little-to-no technical knowledge to operate other than basic computer skills. To download the app, follow the steps below:

1. Go to <https://xai.games/sentrynodes>.
2. Click the download button to initiate the download based on the OS (operating system) you're using.
3. Once download has completed, go to your Downloads folder and launch the application.

{% hint style="info" %}
If running the desktop client on MacOS, follow [these steps](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202491) to give the app permission to run on your computer.
{% endhint %}

Here's what the download page looks like:

<figure><img src="https://content.gitbook.com/content/neke8a6D4Ybg9dkRA2GD/blobs/ZfqRBcnDkKM21Gbrfeqn/image.png" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="CLI on Desktop" %}
If you're more technical, you may want to download the CLI-version of the Xai Sentry Node on your computer. To do this, follow the steps below:

1. Go to <https://github.com/xai-foundation/sentry/releases>.
2. Click on the `sentry-node-cli` .zip file that matches your OS (operating system).
3. Once the download completes, extract the file.
4. When extraction is complete, open the file.

{% hint style="info" %}

* Your browser settings may block the direct download from GitHub, so be sure to allow proper download permissions to complete this step successfully.
* Any time a new version of the CLI is available, you will need to download the latest version and re-run the `boot-operator` command. More info on this command can be found [**here**](https://xai-foundation.gitbook.io/xai-network/kn/about-xai/sentry-key-purchase-and-setup/step-3-complete-requirements-to-accrue-esxai/step-3b-start-the-sentry-wallet-a.k.a-operator).
  {% endhint %}
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="CLI on Cloud Server" %}
The Xai Sentry Node CLI can be run on a VPS (Virtual Private Server) or a VM (Virtual Machine). When selecting the operating system in your virtual service, be sure to use the latest version of Ubuntu. The instructions below are based on the latest version of Ubuntu, but it may work with other versions. You may need to change your package manager commands depending on your operating system.

After logging into your VPS or VM, you will need to type in the following commands in this order:

1. `sudo apt update`
2. `sudo apt install curl unzip`
3. `curl -L -o sentry-node-cli-linux.zip` [`https://github.com/xai-foundation/sentry/releases/latest/download/sentry-node-cli-linux.zip`](https://github.com/xai-foundation/sentry/releases/latest/download/sentry-node-cli-linux.zip)
4. `unzip sentry-node-cli-linux.zip`
5. `./sentry-node-cli-linux`

Once you've run all these commands, you may proceed using the CLI instructions for the remaining steps.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

{% hint style="info" %}
Not sure if you can run a sentry node? [Click here](https://xai-foundation.gitbook.io/xai-network/kn/about-xai/sentry-keys-explained/sentry-node-hardware-requirements) to see minimum specs required to run a Sentry Node.
{% endhint %}