The chain is set up, so next it's time to deploy the block explorer.

At first, I wanted to deploy Blockscout natively, but after tinkering for a while, I found the steps too convoluted. Later, I switched to a different approach—running it with Docker for a lightweight deployment, and the whole process went much more smoothly. This time, I’ve documented the complete procedure for reference, in case anyone needs it. I’ll organize the native deployment method later when I have time.

**Preparing the Docker Environment**

The test environment is CentOS 7. First, install the basic command-line tools, then configure the image repository (Alibaba Cloud’s speed is pretty good).

After updating the yum index, install the docker-ce community edition—it’s free and sufficient. Once installed, start the service and run a command to confirm everything is working normally. Also, install docker-compose, which will be needed later.

For routine maintenance, remember the commands to restart the service and Docker itself. Keep the uninstall command handy for now, though you probably won’t need it right away.

**Blockscout Deployment Process**

First, clone the Blockscout repository locally.

The key part is configuring the environment variables—I’ve written a separate configuration guide for this (will share it later). As long as the basic configuration items are set, you should be good to go.

Go to the docker-compose directory and execute the startup command. Once the containers are up, access http://yourIP:4000 in your browser and the interface should appear.

Note: It’s best to use Docker version 20.10 or higher, as lower versions may have compatibility issues.

Overall, this deployment process is much easier than the native method. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.