# Cardano Node Configuration

Currently you can only configure [Blockfrost](https://blockfrost.io/) node inside the IDE. Blockfrost provides api endpoints for both Cardano Mainnet and Testnet. Once configured, you can use the configured node to interact with the Cardano blockchain.

**Note:** Support for other node types will be added in the future release. (e.g; Cardano wallet, Cardano GraphQL ...)

### **Pre**-**requisites**

You need to first register on Blockfrost website (<https://blockfrost.io>) to get a "Api Key" or "Project Id". Once you get the api key for mainnet or testnet, you are ready to configure a Blockfrost node in the IDE.

### Configure a new node

* Create an empty project. Type of project doesn't matter if you just want to interact with Cardano.
* Once the project is opened, you should be able to see "Cardano" tab in the right side tool window.

![](https://163267619-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-McXmxiZFX7KHmmQksft%2F-McwksW-oSnzbW5vSgT9%2F-Mcwqjwc_gnIz7kcPUYr%2Fnode-cardano-tab.gif?alt=media\&token=ccebc259-260b-4745-b3ad-778b7f26d6fe)

* Enter name, select Blockfrost node type (Testnet or Mainnet)
* Enter Blockfrost "Api Key" in the "Project Id" text field.
* Click "Test Connectioin" to verify the connection.
* Then click ok to create a new node configuration.

![](https://163267619-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-McXmxiZFX7KHmmQksft%2F-McwksW-oSnzbW5vSgT9%2F-McwsBi4LTCv2f_SyCj7%2Fnodeconfig-add-node.gif?alt=media\&token=180a97ca-4205-4b64-81e5-2ca3892a097b)

### Select a default node

If you have multiple nodes configured in the IDE, you need to set a node as default node. IDE connects to the default node to submit the transactions, query blockchain data or other supported operations.

![](https://163267619-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-McXmxiZFX7KHmmQksft%2F-McwksW-oSnzbW5vSgT9%2F-Mcwtq69V87bYmqBUl2M%2Fnode-defaultnode-selection.gif?alt=media\&token=44cb7a91-a8b4-4d83-88c2-6e99721ac216)