Installation

This guide walks you through installing arb-assist and the supported arbitrage bots.

Overview

The installation process involves:

1. Installing system dependencies

2. Setting up Node.js environment

3. Installing process managers

4. Downloading and configuring your chosen bot

5. Installing arb-assist

6. Verifying the installation

Step 1: System Dependencies

Update System Packages

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install Essential Tools

sudo apt install -y wget curl git unzip build-essential

Step 2: Install Node.js

Using NVM (Recommended)

Install Node Version Manager:

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.3/install.sh | bash

Load NVM:

source "$HOME/.nvm/nvm.sh"

Install Node.js v22:

nvm install 22
nvm use 22
nvm alias default 22

Verify Installation

node -v     # Should print "v22.x.x"
npm -v      # Should print "10.x.x"
nvm current # Should print "v22.x.x"

Step 3: Install Process Managers

PM2 (Process Manager)

npm install -g pm2

# Set up PM2 to start on boot
pm2 startup
# Follow the command it outputs

TMUX (Terminal Multiplexer)

sudo apt-get install -y tmux

Step 4A: Install SolanaMevBot On-Chain

Create Directory

mkdir ~/smb
cd ~/smb

Download SMB-Onchain

# Download latest version
wget https://sourceforge.net/projects/solanamevbotonchain/files/smb-onchain-0.11.5.zip
unzip smb-onchain-0.11.5.zip

# Make executable
chmod +x smb-onchain upgrade.sh

# Run upgrade script
./upgrade.sh

Verify Installation

./smb-onchain --version

Step 4B: Install NotArb (Alternative)

Create Directory

mkdir ~/notarb
cd ~/notarb

Clone NotArb Repository

git clone https://github.com/NotArb/Release.git
cd Release/onchain-bot

Install Java (if needed)

# Check if Java is installed
java -version

# If not installed:
sudo apt install -y openjdk-11-jre-headless

Step 5: Install arb-assist

Navigate to Bot Directory

# For SMB-Onchain
cd ~/smb

# OR for NotArb
cd ~/notarb/Release/onchain-bot

Download arb-assist

# Download the binary
wget https://github.com/capicua4454/arb-assist/raw/refs/heads/main/arb-assist

# Download example configuration
wget https://github.com/capicua4454/arb-assist/raw/refs/heads/main/config.toml.example

# Make executable
chmod +x arb-assist

Set Up License File

IMPORTANT: Do NOT rename or modify the license file in any way. Keep it exactly as provided by the arb-assist team. The filename format is: license_username_serverIP_expiration.json

# Copy your license file to the directory
# License filename format: license_username_serverIP_expiration.json
# Example: license_myusername_192.168.1.100_1234567890.json
# ⚠️ IMPORTANT: Do NOT rename or modify the license file
# Keep it exactly as provided by the arb-assist team

# Example:
cp ~/downloads/license_*.json .

Create Configuration

# Copy example config
cp config.toml.example config.toml

# Edit configuration
nano config.toml

Step 6: Directory Structure Verification

For SMB-Onchain

Your directory should look like:

~/smb/
├── smb-onchain
├── upgrade.sh
├── arb-assist
├── config.toml
├── config.toml.example
└── license_username_serverIP_expiration.json

For NotArb

Your directory should look like:

~/notarb/Release/onchain-bot/
├── notarb.jar
├── arb-assist
├── config.toml
├── config.toml.example
└── license_username_serverIP_expiration.json

Step 7: Initial Configuration

Edit config.toml

Set your RPC and GRPC endpoints:

rpc_url = "https://your-rpc-endpoint"
grpc_url = "https://your-grpc-endpoint"
grpc_token = "your-grpc-token"  # If required
grpc_engine = "yellowstone"      # or "thor"

Choose your mode:

mode = "smb"   # For SMB-Onchain
# OR
mode = "na"    # For NotArb
# OR
mode = "both"  # For both bots

Set Up Private Key

Security Warning: Never put your private key directly in configuration files on a VPS. Always encrypt it first.

For SMB-Onchain

1. Create a temporary config with your private key locally

2. Run SMB to encrypt it

3. Transfer only the encrypted key file to your VPS

4. Delete the temporary config

For NotArb

1. Use NotArb's keypair protection feature

2. Follow the NotArb documentation for secure key management

Step 8: Test Installation

Increase File Limits

ulimit -n 65536

Test arb-assist

./arb-assist

You should see:

• License validation message

• GRPC connection confirmation

• Data streaming messages

Expected Output

[INFO] License validated successfully
[INFO] Connected to Yellowstone GRPC
[INFO] Streaming transactions...
[INFO] Analyzing arbitrage opportunities...

Press Ctrl+C to stop the test.

Step 9: Production Setup

Using TMUX

# Create new session
tmux new -s arb-assist

# Inside tmux
ulimit -n 65536
./arb-assist

# Detach from session
# Press Ctrl+B, then D

Using PM2

# Create startup script
cat > start-arb-assist.sh << 'EOF'
#!/bin/bash
ulimit -n 65536
exec ./arb-assist
EOF

chmod +x start-arb-assist.sh

# Start with PM2
pm2 start start-arb-assist.sh --name arb-assist
pm2 save

Troubleshooting Installation

Common Issues

License Error

Error: Invalid license file

• Ensure license file is in the correct directory

• Verify the IP address matches your server

• Check file permissions

GRPC Connection Failed

Error: Failed to connect to GRPC endpoint

• Verify GRPC URL is correct

• Check authentication token

• Ensure firewall allows outbound connections

Too Many Open Files

Error: Too many open files

• Run ulimit -n 65536 before starting

• Add to /etc/security/limits.conf for permanent fix

Getting Help

If you encounter issues:

1. Check the Troubleshooting section

2. Join our Discord

3. Review bot-specific documentation

Next Steps

Installation complete! Proceed to:

• Quick Start Guide for running your first arbitrage session

• Configuration Overview for detailed setup options