> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://fastlane-labs.gitbook.io/polygon-fastlane/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://fastlane-labs.gitbook.io/polygon-fastlane/getting-started-as-a-validator/getting-started-as-a-validator.md).

# Getting Started as a Validator

{% hint style="info" %}
Validators interested in participating will need to reach out to the Polygon FastLane team [on our discord](https://discord.gg/Gjjwg9BJAQ) or through our email <validators@fastlane.finance> for approval and specific onboarding instructions.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

Once approved, participating validators will need to perform two actions:

1. **Connect their validator node to a FastLane Sentry**

{% content-ref url="/pages/sOGk363Rh96qGk9UQMwo" %}
[Connecting to a FastLane Sentry Node](/polygon-fastlane/getting-started-as-a-validator/connecting-to-a-fastlane-sentry-node.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

2. **Patch their existing sentry nodes with the FastLane Patch**

{% content-ref url="/pages/PejHOvF97t7eZHRsOirK" %}
[Patching Your Sentry Nodes With The FastLane Patch](/polygon-fastlane/getting-started-as-a-validator/patching-your-sentry-nodes-with-the-fastlane-patch.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}