From 239cd587d194e4548930aa98af2f96620f1f14f0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Cordtus <Cordtus@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2026 18:37:13 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] docs: update RPC endpoints and encourage node distribution

---
 README.md | 32 +++++++++++++++++---------------
 1 file changed, 17 insertions(+), 15 deletions(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f27eb08..1ed625c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -25,20 +25,22 @@ This will install the `republic-dev` CLI tool and the Python client library.
 
 - Python >= 3.8
 - Docker (for building inference containers)
-- Running Republic blockchain node
+- Access to a Republic blockchain RPC endpoint
 
-## Quick Start
+## RPC Endpoints
 
-### 1. Start the Blockchain
+The client can connect to any Republic RPC endpoint. Using your own node or a community-operated node helps distribute load and improves network reliability.
 
-```bash
-# From the repository root
-bash local_node.sh
-```
+| Endpoint | URL |
+|----------|-----|
+| Public RPC | `https://rpc.republicai.io` |
+| Local node | `http://localhost:26657` |
 
-Wait for the chain to start (check with `curl http://localhost:26657/status`).
+Running your own node is recommended for production workloads. See the [networks repo](https://github.com/RepublicAI/networks) for setup instructions.
+
+## Quick Start
 
-### 2. Run the Complete Example
+### 1. Run the Complete Example
 
 ```bash
 cd republic-devtools/examples
@@ -52,7 +54,7 @@ This will:
 - Set up a test key
 - Show you how to submit jobs
 
-### 3. Use the CLI Tool
+### 2. Use the CLI Tool
 
 #### Check Node Status
 ```bash
@@ -90,10 +92,10 @@ republic-dev status <job-id> --watch
 ```python
 from republic_devtools.client import RepublicClient
 
-# Initialize client
+# Connect to the public RPC (or use your own node for better reliability)
 client = RepublicClient(
-    rpc_endpoint="http://localhost:26657",
-    chain_id="9001"
+    rpc_endpoint="https://rpc.republicai.io",
+    chain_id="raitestnet_77701-1"
 )
 
 # Create a key
@@ -122,8 +124,8 @@ print(status)
 ## CLI Reference
 
 ### Global Options
-- `--rpc`: RPC endpoint (default: `http://localhost:26657`)
-- `--chain-id`: Chain ID (default: `9001`)
+- `--rpc`: RPC endpoint (default: `https://rpc.republicai.io`). Any node's RPC can be used, including your own local node (`http://localhost:26657`).
+- `--chain-id`: Chain ID (default: `raitestnet_77701-1`)
 
 ### Commands