# Block Producer Getting Started

> Start producing blocks on the Mina network by running a daemon with your block producer key.

Canonical URL: https://docs.minaprotocol.com/node-operators/block-producer-node/getting-started

:::note

Before following this guide, complete the Validator Node setup — from [Requirements](/node-operators/validator-node/requirements) through [Connect to Mainnet or Devnet](/node-operators/validator-node/connecting-to-the-network). You should have a synced node and a [key pair](/node-operators/validator-node/generating-a-keypair) before proceeding.

:::

## Start the daemon

Run the daemon with the `--block-producer-key` flag pointing to your wallet key:

```sh
mina daemon --peer-list-url https://bootnodes.minaprotocol.com/networks/mainnet.txt \
            --block-producer-key ~/keys/my-wallet
```

To send block rewards to a different account (e.g. a cold wallet), add the `--coinbase-receiver` flag:

```sh
mina daemon --peer-list-url https://bootnodes.minaprotocol.com/networks/mainnet.txt \
            --block-producer-key ~/keys/my-wallet \
            --coinbase-receiver $RECEIVER_PUBLICKEY
```

### Minimum block reward

The `--minimum-block-reward AMOUNT` flag makes the node produce an empty block when the reward of a block is less than `AMOUNT`. The block reward is the coinbase plus the transaction fees, minus the SNARK work fees.

:::caution
If `--minimum-block-reward` is more than the coinbase amount of the network, the node logs this warning at startup:

```text
Minimum block reward threshold $threshold is greater than the coinbase amount $coinbase_amount. This node may produce empty blocks unless transaction fees or supercharged coinbase raise the block reward above the threshold
```

Each block that the node produces empty for this reason gives this log message:

```text
Block reward $reward is less than the min-block-reward $threshold, creating empty block
```

To produce blocks with transactions, set `--minimum-block-reward` to the coinbase amount or less, or remove the flag.
:::

## Verify block production

Run `mina client status` and check the `Block producers running` field:

```text
Block producers running:                       1 (B62q...)
Coinbase receiver:                             Block producer
Next block will be produced in:                in 7.077h for slot: ...
```