# Running BlockAssist on a Remote Linux Desktop

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**Note**: this path is highly experimental and not officially supported. Feel free to adapt the steps and share any issues or improvements you discover.
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## Overview

This guide shows non-technical users how to set up and run BlockAssist on a remote Ubuntu Desktop droplet at DigitalOcean and stream it with Moonlight to any laptop, phone, tablet, or TV.

### Installation & Setup Steps

#### Step 1 — Creating your Droplet

1. Sign in to DigitalOcean and click Create → Droplet.
2. Under Marketplace, choose Ubuntu Desktop (GNOME) 22.04 LTS.

| System Specifications | CPU | RAM   |
| --------------------- | --- | ----- |
| Minimum               | 4   | 16 GB |
| Recommended           | 8   | 32 GB |

Add your SSH key, pick the nearest region, and click **Create Droplet.**

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Note the droplet’s public IP, which you will use for SSH, VNC, and Moonlight.
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#### Step 2 — First-time Desktop Access

1. SSH to the droplet as root:

```sh
ssh root@<DROPLET_IP>
```

2. The first-login banner shows a random **VNC password**. Copy it.
3. Give the pre-installed **gui** user `sudo` rights:

```sh
sudo usermod -aG sudo gui
sudo reboot
```

4. Open any VNC client and connect to `<DROPLET_IP>:5901` using the password from Step 1. You will only need VNC again if Sunshine stops working.

#### Step 3 — Installing Dependencies

{% hint style="info" %}
You run these commands once. To record more episodes later, read [this guide on running & training models with BlockAssist.](https://docs.gensyn.ai/testnet/blockassist/using-blockassist)
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1. In the VNC desktop, open **Terminal** and install the build tools:

```sh
sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y make build-essential gcc \
  libssl-dev zlib1g-dev libbz2-dev libreadline-dev \
  libsqlite3-dev libncursesw5-dev xz-utils tk-dev \
  libxml2-dev libxmlsec1-dev libffi-dev liblzma-dev curl git
```

2. Clone BlockAssist:

```sh
git clone https://github.com/gensyn-ai/blockassist.git ~/blockassist
cd ~/blockassist
```

**Python & Node**&#x20;

Let `pyenv` and `nvm` read the exact versions pinned in the repository.&#x20;

```shell
# install pyenv
curl https://pyenv.run | bash
exec $SHELL

pyenv install $(cat .python-version)
pyenv global  $(cat .python-version)

# install nvm
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.39.1/install.sh | bash
exec $SHELL

nvm install $(cat .nvmrc)
```

**Project Packages**

Install the required project packages using the commands below.&#x20;

```sh
pip install --upgrade pip
pip install -r requirements.txt readchar

corepack enable        # enables Yarn
yarn install --frozen-lockfile
```

#### Step 3 — Streaming with Sunshine & Moonlight

1. Install Sunshine using the following command:

```sh
wget -O sunshine.deb \
  https://github.com/LizardByte/Sunshine/releases/download/v0.23.1/sunshine-ubuntu-22.04-amd64.deb
sudo apt install ./sunshine.deb
systemctl --user enable --now sunshine
```

2. Open its web UI (`http://localhost:47990`) in the VNC browser and set an admin password.
3. Allow GameStream ports:

```sh
sudo ufw allow 47984/tcp 47989/tcp 48010/tcp
sudo ufw allow 47998:48002/udp 47990/tcp
```

4. On your local device install **Moonlight**, add the droplet’s IP, enter the PIN shown, and pair.\
   You can now close the VNC client and use Moonlight for the rest of this guide.

#### Step 5 — Running BlockAssist

Click here for a detailed, [platform-agnostic guide on running BlockAssist.](https://docs.gensyn.ai/testnet/blockassist/using-blockassist)&#x20;

## Troubleshooting

Below are some common issues and quick fixes.

| Issue                                 | Solution                                                                                          |
| ------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Error while installing packages       | In the Chat panel press `cmd + L`, then type **Help me fix this error** and add Terminal context. |
| BlockAssist launches but will not run | In Chat type `Look at my logs folder` **…** and follow the suggestions.                           |
| Mouse will not turn or view is stuck  | Make sure you are playing through **Moonlight**, not VNC.                                         |
| Mission times out while loading       | Upgrade the droplet to at least 8 vCPU / 32 GB RAM.                                               |

{% hint style="success" %}
If you need additional support, you can [open a ticket](https://github.com/gensyn-ai/blockassist/issues) or [visit our Discord.](https://discord.com/invite/gensyn)&#x20;
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