> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.tellor.io/tellor/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.tellor.io/tellor/running-tellor/manage-accounts.md).

# Managing Accounts

Follow the steps to make and manage your \`tellor\` account.

{% hint style="info" %} <mark style="color:blue;">**Please Read Security Tips:**</mark>

* When you create a new account with the `layerd keys add` command, the output will include the mnemonic. If you want to save your mnemonic, this is the only opportunity to do so. Make sure you copy it to a secure location, because anyone who sees these words can use that wallet as their own!
* This guide uses the "test" backend for easy compatibility with the reporter daemon. More secure options are as documented in the cosmos SDK and [these are all compatible](https://docs.cosmos.network/v0.46/run-node/keyring.html) with tellor layer.
* Once you have your validator node set up, it is good practice to make a secure backup of your whole `.layer` directory just in case! A validator is difficult to recover without the node\_key, priv\_validator\_key, and priv\_validator\_state.
* **Never use the same address for running a validator on mainnet which has been used for running a validator on the testnet! If you do this you will be slashed when another validator submits your testnet signatures as evidence of bad behavior on mainnet.**
  {% endhint %}

If you do not yet have an account / mnemonic phrase, Generate a new key pair with the command:

```sh
./layerd keys add $ACCOUNT_NAME --keyring-backend test
```

{% hint style="warning" %}
Be sure to <mark style="color:orange;">**copy the entire output**</mark> with the mnemonic and keep it in a very safe place!
{% endhint %}

If you already have an account, you can Import it with the command:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```sh
./layerd keys add $ACCOUNT_NAME --recover=true
```

{% endcode %}

To print the "tellor" prefix address to the terminal:

```bash
./layerd keys show $ACCOUNT_NAME
```

Next, add the `--bech val` flag to get the "tellorvaloper" prefix address, which is used for validator commands:

```bash
./layerd keys show $ACCOUNT_NAME --bech val
```

It can be useful to add these addresses to your `.bashrc` or `.zshrc` file. Be sure to replace `your_tellor_prefix_address` and `your_tellorvaloper_prefix_address` in your command:

{% code overflow="wrap" %}

```bash
echo 'export TELLOR_ADDRESS=your_tellor_prefix_address' >> ~/.bashrc #.zshrc if mac
echo 'export TELLORVALOPER_ADDRESS=your_tellorvaloper_prefix_address' >> ~/.bashrc #.zshrc if mac
```

{% endcode %}

Restart your terminal, or use `source ~/.bashrc` before you continue. (if Linux)

Restart your terminal, or use `source ~/.zshrc` before you continue. (if mac)

{% hint style="info" %} <mark style="color:blue;">Check accounts any time with:</mark> `./layerd keys list`
{% endhint %}