Participant Categories - GenLayer Points

Overview

GenLayer Points organizes participants into three distinct categories based on their role in the ecosystem. Each category has its own:

Profile Type: Validator, Builder, or Steward profile
Contribution Types: Specific actions that earn points
Leaderboard: Category-specific rankings
Journey: Onboarding and progression path

Category Structure

Categories are defined in the database:

class Category(BaseModel):
    name = 'Validator' | 'Builder' | 'Steward'
    slug = 'validator' | 'builder' | 'steward'
    description = "Category description"
    profile_model = 'validators.Validator' | 'builders.Builder' | 'stewards.Steward'

Each category links to a specific profile model that tracks category-specific data.

Validators

Validators are node operators who maintain the GenLayer network infrastructure.

Validator Profile

class Validator(BaseModel):
    user           # One-to-one with User
    node_version   # Current node software version

Validator Contributions

Validators earn points through:

Node Running

Points: 10-100 per periodOperating a GenLayer validator node consistentlyEvidence:

Uptime reports
Node address
Performance metrics

Network Upgrades

Points: 50-200Successfully upgrading node software to latest versionsEvidence:

Node version confirmation
Upgrade completion proof

Validator Operations

Points: VariesAdvanced validator activities like:

Transaction validation
Block production
Network participation

Evidence:

On-chain transaction records
Block explorer links
Performance dashboards

Validator Journey

Join Validator Waitlist

Connect your wallet and register interest in becoming a validatorReward: Validator Waitlist contribution badge

Accumulate Waitlist Points

Make validator-category contributions while on the waitlist:

Submit network research
Participate in validator discussions
Help other waitlist participants

Set Up Node

Follow the validator setup guide to deploy your node

Graduate to Active Validator

Once your node is running and verified, receive your Validator contributionEffect:

Waitlist points frozen on graduation leaderboard
You appear on active Validator leaderboard
Begin earning node running points

Maintain Operations

Continue running your node and making validator contributions

Validator Leaderboards

Validators appear on multiple leaderboards:

Active Validator Leaderboard

Eligibility: Have a Validator profile (graduated from waitlist)
Scoring: Sum of all validator category contributions
Ranking: By total validator points (highest first)

Validator Waitlist Leaderboard

Eligibility: Have validator-waitlist badge but no Validator profile
Scoring: Validator contributions + referral bonuses
Ranking: By total waitlist points (highest first)

Validator Graduation Leaderboard

Eligibility: Graduated from waitlist to active validator
Scoring: Frozen waitlist points at graduation
Ranking: By graduation date (most recent first)

The graduation leaderboard preserves historical rankings. Your waitlist points are frozen when you graduate, creating a permanent record of your pre-validator contributions.

Validator Requirements

To become and remain a validator:

Technical Skills: Ability to run and maintain a server
Node Software: Keep your node updated to target versions
Uptime: Maintain high availability
Network Connection: Reliable internet connection
Stake: May require staking tokens (check current requirements)

Builders

Builders are developers and creators building applications, tools, and content for the GenLayer ecosystem.

Builder Profile

class Builder(BaseModel):
    user  # One-to-one with User

Builders have a simple profile that marks them as ecosystem developers.

Builder Contributions

Builders earn points through:

Code Contributions

Points: 100-500Contributing code to GenLayer repositories or ecosystem projectsEvidence:

GitHub pull request links
Commit hashes
Repository links

Smart Contracts

Points: 200-1000Developing and deploying smart contracts on GenLayerEvidence:

Contract address
Source code repository
Deployment transaction
Contract documentation

dApps & Tools

Points: 300-1500Building decentralized applications or developer toolsEvidence:

Live deployment URL
GitHub repository
Demo video or screenshots
Technical documentation

Blog Posts & Articles

Points: 25-150Publishing technical content about GenLayerEvidence:

Article URL
Publication platform
Content summary

Documentation

Points: 50-300Creating guides, tutorials, and documentationEvidence:

Documentation URL
Pull request for doc changes
Tutorial video or guide

Community Support

Points: 10-100Helping other developers in Discord, forums, or GitHubEvidence:

Links to support threads
Discord message links
Forum posts

Builder Journey

Complete Builder Welcome

Connect your wallet and express interest in building on GenLayerReward: Builder Welcome contribution

Complete Builder Journey

Make your first substantial builder contributionReward: Builder contribution badgeEffect: Builder profile automatically created

Build Consistently

Continue making builder contributions to climb the leaderboard

Builder profiles are automatically created when you make non-onboarding builder contributions. You don’t need to manually register as a builder!

Builder Leaderboard

Eligibility: Have a Builder profile
Scoring: Sum of all builder category contributions
Ranking: By total builder points (highest first)

Builder Focus Areas

Builders can specialize in various areas:

Smart Contract Development

Write intelligent contracts using GenLayer’s unique capabilities

Frontend Development

Build user interfaces and web applications

Backend & APIs

Create backend services and API integrations

DevTools

Develop tools to help other builders

Content Creation

Write tutorials, documentation, and educational content

Design & UX

Design user experiences and visual assets

Stewards

Stewards are community leaders who help manage contributions, review submissions, and guide the ecosystem.

Steward Profile

class Steward(BaseModel):
    user  # One-to-one with User

Steward Permissions

Stewards have granular permissions for each contribution type:

class StewardPermission:
    steward            # Which steward
    contribution_type  # Which contribution type
    action            # 'propose', 'accept', 'reject', 'request_more_info'

Permissions are assigned by administrators to control who can review what.

Steward Responsibilities

Review Submissions

Evaluate contribution submissions for quality and validityTasks:

Review evidence
Verify claims
Assign point values
Accept or reject submissions

Propose Reviews

Junior stewards can propose review decisions for senior stewards to approveTasks:

Suggest point values
Draft acceptance/rejection reasons
Request additional evidence

Working Group Leadership

Lead working groups focused on specific ecosystem areasTasks:

Organize group activities
Coordinate contributions
Report progress

Community Management

Help maintain a positive and productive communityTasks:

Answer questions
Resolve disputes
Enforce guidelines

Steward Contributions

Stewards earn points for their community work:

Contribution Reviews: Points per accepted/rejected submission
Working Group Leadership: Points for leading groups
Community Moderation: Points for moderation activities
Program Improvements: Points for improving the points system itself

Steward contributions are tracked but don’t currently have a public leaderboard. Stewards are evaluated on review quality and community impact.

Working Groups

class WorkingGroup:
    name         # Group name
    icon         # Emoji icon
    description  # Group purpose
    discord_url  # Discord channel link

Working groups organize stewards around specific focus areas like:

Validator support
Builder onboarding
Content review
Technical documentation

Review Templates

Stewards can use templates for common review responses:

class ReviewTemplate:
    label  # "Insufficient evidence"
    text   # Full template message

Templates ensure consistent communication with participants.

Becoming a Steward

Stewards are typically selected by the GenLayer Foundation based on:

Community Involvement: Active participation and helpfulness
Technical Knowledge: Understanding of GenLayer and blockchain technology
Communication Skills: Ability to provide clear, constructive feedback
Time Commitment: Availability to review submissions regularly

Steward roles are currently invitation-only. Demonstrate strong community involvement as a Validator or Builder to be considered.

Cross-Category Participation

Participants can belong to multiple categories:

Example Scenarios

Validator + Builder

Run a validator node (Validator contributions)
Build validator monitoring tools (Builder contributions)
Appear on both Validator and Builder leaderboards

Builder + Steward

Develop applications (Builder contributions)
Review other builders’ submissions (Steward activities)
Earn points in Builder category while serving as a Steward

Validator + Steward

Operate validator infrastructure (Validator contributions)
Help review validator-related submissions (Steward activities)
Mentor waitlist participants

Multi-category participation is encouraged! Your contributions and points are tracked separately for each category.

Category Comparison

Aspect	Validators	Builders	Stewards
Primary Focus	Node operations	Development & content	Community management
Technical Skills	Server administration	Programming	Evaluation & communication
Time Commitment	Ongoing (24/7 uptime)	Project-based	Regular review sessions
Entry Barrier	Waitlist + node setup	Low (start contributing)	Invitation only
Leaderboard	✅ Yes (2 types)	✅ Yes	❌ No (internal tracking)
Referral Bonuses	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Profile Auto-Creation	❌ No (manual graduation)	✅ Yes	❌ No (admin assigned)

Choosing Your Category

Choose Validator If...

You have server management skills
You want to operate infrastructure
You can commit to high uptime
You’re interested in network security

Choose Builder If...

You’re a developer or creator
You want to build applications
You enjoy writing documentation
You create technical content

Become a Steward When...

You’re invited by the Foundation
You have strong community involvement
You can commit to regular reviews
You understand the ecosystem well

Category Stats

View category statistics on the platform:

Total Participants: Count per category
Total Points Awarded: Sum of all contributions
Active Contributors: Participants with recent contributions
Contribution Breakdown: Points by contribution type

These stats help you understand where the ecosystem needs contributors most.

Common Questions

Can I switch categories?

You can’t switch - but you can participate in multiple categories simultaneously! Each has its own profile and point tracking.

Do I need to choose a category when I sign up?

Can I be on multiple leaderboards?

Yes! If you have both Validator and Builder profiles, you’ll appear on both leaderboards with separate point totals.

How do I become a Steward?

Stewards are selected by the GenLayer Foundation. Focus on being an active, helpful community member as a Validator or Builder to be considered.

What if I want to change my focus area?

Just start making contributions in your new area of focus! There’s no formal process to change - your participation determines your categories.

Get Started

Core Concepts

​Overview

​Category Structure

​Validators

​Validator Profile

​Validator Contributions

​Validator Journey

​Validator Leaderboards

​Active Validator Leaderboard

​Validator Waitlist Leaderboard

​Validator Graduation Leaderboard

​Validator Requirements

​Builders

​Builder Profile

​Builder Contributions

​Builder Journey

​Builder Leaderboard

​Builder Focus Areas

Smart Contract Development

Frontend Development

Backend & APIs

DevTools

Content Creation

Design & UX

​Stewards

​Steward Profile

​Steward Permissions

​Steward Responsibilities

​Steward Contributions

​Working Groups

​Review Templates

​Becoming a Steward

​Cross-Category Participation

​Example Scenarios

​Category Comparison

​Choosing Your Category

Choose Validator If...

Choose Builder If...

Become a Steward When...

​Category Stats

​Common Questions

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Overview

Category Structure

Validators

Validator Profile

Validator Contributions

Validator Journey

Validator Leaderboards

Active Validator Leaderboard

Validator Waitlist Leaderboard

Validator Graduation Leaderboard

Validator Requirements

Builders

Builder Profile

Builder Contributions

Builder Journey

Builder Leaderboard

Builder Focus Areas

Stewards

Steward Profile

Steward Permissions

Steward Responsibilities

Steward Contributions

Working Groups

Review Templates

Becoming a Steward

Cross-Category Participation

Example Scenarios

Category Comparison

Choosing Your Category

Category Stats

Common Questions