Funk’s Ultimate Node Controller (FUNC) is “one-click” solution for node runners on Windows, Mac, and Linux. It installs the node as an auto-starting service ensuring maximum uptime even on machines configured to auto-update/restart. The UI for FUNC is a local web dashboard, allowing users to connect their wallet in a familiar way and making the participation key registration process easy. Node software is not bundled with FUNC but rather downloaded from GitHub, meaning node updates are decoupled from FUNC updates. Tasks such as generating participation keys, updating your node, enabling and viewing telemetry, setting up a Reti validator, applying custom configurations, and much more are all easily accessible from the dashboard.
Andrew Funk (@funk on Discord and here, @LuteWallet on X, @StopThinking on reddit) is an active builder of public goods in the Algorand ecosystem. In addition to FUNC he has built AlgoTools and Lute Wallet.
Additional Info
FUNC plays a large role in making the technical process of node running accessible to the common user, and makes the chain stronger by increasing decentralization of participating stake. FUNC respects user’s privacy and does not track them in any way. This means the only use metrics available are download counts.
The development of FUNC took many hours over many months and was released prior to the Foundation’s release of NodeKit. Being a retroactive grant proposal, this request is to cover development time already completed and frankly would be 50% higher if there was not a 200K Algo cap in place.
Вот готовый текст для форума — нейтрально-уверенный, с аргументами и уважением к разработчику:
FUNC fills a critical gap in Algorand’s infrastructure. Running a node used to be a task only for technically skilled users — lots of manual setup, key management, updates, and scripts. With FUNC, the entire process becomes accessible to a much wider group of participants, which directly strengthens decentralization and network resilience.
What makes this tool stand out is its practicality:
• cross-platform support (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• simple participation key management through a local dashboard
• privacy-first design — no telemetry, no data collection
• real impact, already visible in community adoption and uptime results
This is not a cosmetic tool but a piece of infrastructure that lowers the barrier for node participation — something the Foundation itself benefits from strategically.
As for the grant amount, 200K ALGO for a retroactive request of this scope feels entirely reasonable. The project was built and maintained over many months, before the release of NodeKit, and continues to deliver measurable value.
In my opinion, FUNC deserves full support as one of the most practically useful public-good contributions to the Algorand ecosystem.
There are two main barriers to operating a node: one is preparing the physical environment in which it runs, and the other is the technical aspect of setting up the node in that environment. This tool addresses the latter, reducing its level of difficulty. Even before the release of this tool, Algorand had claimed that setting up a node environment was straightforward, but that statement was primarily from a technical perspective. For non-technical users, the initial setup remained a very burdensome task. With the advent of this tool, even non-technical users can configure a node environment almost as easily as installing software.
The explosive growth in the number of Algorand nodes over the past year is primarily due to the introduction of node rewards. While this tool alone is not solely responsible—services like Folks Finance, which require key registration, were also necessary—it is undeniable that this tool has had a significant impact on that growth.
The fact that the Algorand Foundation can emphasize decentralization in its 2025 roadmap is largely thanks to this dramatic increase in nodes, which forms a core part of their strategy. From the perspective of the Algorand product, it contributes to increasing the value of the platform as a product.
Considering the value of this as a future business asset, the amount in question, even at its maximum limit, is by no means excessive.
If there is a point for discussion, it would be how much can be reasonably paid given that the Algorand product has not yet been widely adopted. For example, if Algorand were adopted by many companies and the price of ALGO had returned to and remained above $1, no one would likely object to an amount of around $45,000; some might even argue that $100,000 would be acceptable.
Another perspective is that paying this amount signals that development and contributions at this level are properly rewarded, which could serve as an incentive for future development. I believe the amount is reasonable, but it is undeniable that any opposing opinions would likely focus on the price itself. I have therefore raised this point to facilitate discussion.
I’m not a FUNC user because I use NodeKit and don’t need a GUI, but you have built an amazing tool that provides an easy way for less technical users to spin up a node without using the CLI.
I’m sure you’ve helped a lot of users who wouldn’t have set up a node if your product didn’t exist. FUNC is a great leap forward for better decentralization.
Bear fully supports this proposal !
FUNC has been super useful since the beginning and i know of nearly no other software/app that get fixes for issues in hours after reporting.
Yes from me. I’m not using FUNC myself, but I do use AlgoTools and I’ve noticed all the time and effort spent providing support for users of FUNC across several different communication channels during the last year that I’ve been running a node. Without FUNC, operating a node would be too difficult for many people.
One does not need to be a node runner to grasp the ultimate value of FUNC node runner. This is the most eligible proposal in this round of XGOV, IMHO. An absolute YES and I recommend everyone to vote for this.
