# 4 Connecting to a Node

Connection and work with the blockchain is performed using the utility `cleos`. Before executing this instruction, make sure that the log file `nodeosd` stops the flow of new information and that its text does not contain error messages. The `cleos` utility requires for its work a running service for saving private keys `keosd`. The `keosd` service runs on the user's computer. One of the options to launch `keosd/cleos` is to launch them in the form of a Docker container. For this you need:

**4.1 Start the `keosd` service**\
Start the `keosd` service and connect it to the Docker network where `nodeos` is running:

```
sudo docker run -ti -d --name keosd --net cyberway-net cyberway/cyberway:stable /opt/cyberway/bin/keosd
```

**4.2 Start the `cleos` service**\
Assign alias to run `cleos` in the container`keosd`:

```
alias cleos='sudo docker exec -ti keosd cleos --url http://nodeosd:8888 '
```

**4.3 Check connection to blockchain**\
Check successful connection to blockchain. To do this, execute the command:

```
cleos get info
```

The connection is considered successful if no errors occurred during the execution of the command.

**4.4 Create storage**\
Create storage for private keys:

```
cleos wallet create --file wallet.pass
```

In case of stopping the use of storage, the service `keosd` automatically blocks it. After this, the vault can be unlocked using the command:

```
cleos wallet unlock --password 'sudo docker exec -ti keosd cat wallet.pass'
```

**4.5 Import the private key**\
Import the private key with the command:

```
cleos wallet import --private-key <private-key>
```