Walrus is designed so developers and operators can interact with decentralized storage using familiar command-line workflows while benefiting from strong on-chain guarantees. Getting started follows a clear progression: install the required tools, configure the network, fund an account, and begin storing and managing data as immutable blobs.
The first step is setting up the client environment. Walrus works alongside the Sui ecosystem, so both the Sui client and the Walrus client are required. Once installed, the Walrus client is configured through a local configuration file that defines how it connects to the network. This configuration allows the client to discover storage nodes and interact with the blockchain environment without manual endpoint management. After configuration, a simple status command confirms that the client is connected and synchronized with the network.
Walrus relies on blockchain accounts for identity and control. An account consists of an address and a corresponding private key, which together determine ownership of on-chain objects. These objects are what represent blobs and their storage commitments. Creating or selecting an address is a one-time setup task, but safeguarding the associated private key is critical. Anyone with control over the key controls the lifecycle of the blobs owned by that address.
Before storing data, the account must be funded. Transactions on the blockchain require native tokens, while storage itself is paid for using the Walrus token. On test environments, these tokens can be acquired through faucets and simple conversion commands. Once funded, balances can be inspected locally to ensure sufficient resources are available for storage operations and metadata updates.
Storing a file in Walrus is a single, explicit action. The user provides the file and specifies how long it should be retained, measured in epochs. When the operation completes, Walrus returns two identifiers. The first is the blob identifier, derived directly from the content and used for reading and verification. The second is the on-chain object identifier, which represents ownership and controls future actions such as extending storage duration. These two identifiers serve different purposes and are used at different stages of the blob’s lifecycle.
Retrieving data is centered on the blob identifier. When a read request is issued, the client fetches the necessary slivers from the network and reconstructs the original file. Because the identifier is content-based, the client can verify integrity automatically. This read process does not require trust in any single storage node; correctness is enforced by cryptography and redundancy rather than reputation.
Storage in Walrus is explicitly time-bounded. If a blob needs to remain available beyond its original commitment, the owner must extend its duration by submitting an on-chain transaction that references the blob’s object identifier. This action updates the metadata and commits additional resources to continued storage. Because extensions are recorded on-chain, they are transparent and auditable by anyone observing the network.
Deletion in Walrus is intentionally conservative. When a blob is deleted, its metadata is removed from the canonical network state, signaling that it is no longer actively maintained or discoverable. However, because data may have been cached or copied, deletion does not promise physical erasure of every fragment. This approach aligns with the immutable nature of distributed storage and ensures that users clearly understand the implications of publishing data.
Beyond basic usage, Walrus supports deeper integration into applications. Developers can move from command-line interactions to programmatic access, embedding storage operations directly into services, smart contracts, and user interfaces. This makes Walrus suitable not only for file storage but also for application state, datasets, and long-lived digital artifacts that require verifiable availability.
In practice, Walrus encourages a disciplined approach to data management. Every blob has a clear owner, a defined lifetime, and a verifiable identity. By making storage commitments explicit and enforceable, Walrus transforms decentralized storage from a best-effort service into a predictable, programmable component of modern decentralized applications.