# Getting started

Prior to using any GNUnet-based application, one has to start a node:

    $ gnunet-arm -s

To stop GNUnet:

    $ gnunet-arm -e

You can usually find the logs under `~/.cache/gnunet` and all files such as databases and private keys in `~/.local/share/gnunet`.

The list of running services can be displayed using the `-I` option. It should look similar to this example:

    $ gnunet-arm -I
    Running services:
    topology (gnunet-daemon-topology)
    nat (gnunet-service-nat)
    vpn (gnunet-service-vpn)
    gns (gnunet-service-gns)
    cadet (gnunet-service-cadet)
    namecache (gnunet-service-namecache)
    hostlist (gnunet-daemon-hostlist)
    revocation (gnunet-service-revocation)
    ats (gnunet-service-ats)
    peerinfo (gnunet-service-peerinfo)
    zonemaster (gnunet-service-zonemaster)
    zonemaster-monitor (gnunet-service-zonemaster-monitor)
    dht (gnunet-service-dht)
    namestore (gnunet-service-namestore)
    set (gnunet-service-set)
    statistics (gnunet-service-statistics)
    nse (gnunet-service-nse)
    fs (gnunet-service-fs)
    peerstore (gnunet-service-peerstore)
    core (gnunet-service-core)
    rest (gnunet-rest-server)
    transport (gnunet-service-transport)
    datastore (gnunet-service-datastore)

For the multi-user setup first the system services need to be started as the system user, i.e. the user gnunet needs to execute `gnunet-arm -s`. This should be done by the system’s init system. Then the user who wants to start GNUnet applications has to run `gnunet-arm -s`, too. It is recommended to automate this, e.g. using the user’s crontab.

First, you should launch the peer information tool. You can do this from the command-line by typing:

    $ gnunet-peerinfo

Once you have done this, you will see a list of known peers. If hardly any peers are listed, there is likely a problem with your network configuration. You can also check directly connected peers with:

    $ gnunet-core

This should return (at least) one established connection peer. Otherwise, again, there is likely a problem with your network configuration.