Add optional persist_dir

wip lower block expectancy
2026-02-17 11:43:12 +00:00 · 2026-02-04 16:19:55 +00:00 · 2026-02-04 16:19:55 +00:00 · cee6b1a8a2
commit cee6b1a8a2
parent ec112a2449
40 changed files with 249 additions and 274 deletions
--- a/.github/workflows/lint.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/lint.yml
@ -239,7 +239,6 @@ jobs:
  host_smoke:
    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
    env:
-      POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE: true
      LOCAL_DEMO_RUN_SECS: 120
      LOCAL_DEMO_VALIDATORS: 1
      LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS: ${{ github.workspace }}/.tmp/logos-blockchain-circuits
@ -500,7 +499,6 @@ jobs:

      - name: Run compose mixed workload binary
        env:
-          POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE: "true"
          COMPOSE_NODE_PAIRS: "1x1"
          LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE: ${{ env.LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE }}
          COMPOSE_RUNNER_HOST: "127.0.0.1"
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@ -123,7 +123,6 @@ Key environment variables for customization:

 | Variable | Purpose | Default |
 |----------|---------|---------|
-| `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` | **Required** — Disable expensive proof generation (set automatically by `scripts/run/run-examples.sh`) | (none) |
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE` | Docker image tag for compose/k8s | `logos-blockchain-testing:local` |
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_DEMO_NODES` | Number of nodes | Varies by example |
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR` | Directory for persistent log files | (temporary) |
--- a/book/src/annotated-tree.md
+++ b/book/src/annotated-tree.md
@ -65,9 +65,7 @@ Convenience utilities:
 - `compose_runner.rs` — Docker Compose (requires `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE` built)
 - `k8s_runner.rs` — Kubernetes (requires cluster + image)

-**Run with:** `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin <name>`
-
-**All runners require `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true`** to avoid expensive proof generation.
+**Run with:** `cargo run -p runner-examples --bin <name>`

 ### `scripts/`
 Helper utilities:
--- a/book/src/architecture-overview.md
+++ b/book/src/architecture-overview.md
@ -150,11 +150,9 @@ This handles circuit setup, binary building/bundling, image building, and execut
 **Alternative:** Direct cargo run (requires manual setup):

 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin <name>
+cargo run -p runner-examples --bin <name>
 ```

-**Important:** All runners require `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` to avoid expensive Groth16 proof generation that causes timeouts.
-
 These binaries use the framework API (`ScenarioBuilder`) to construct and execute scenarios.

 ## Builder API
--- a/book/src/authoring-scenarios.md
+++ b/book/src/authoring-scenarios.md
@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ async fn hello_consensus_liveness() -> Result<()> {

 **Run it:**
 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo test hello_consensus_liveness
+cargo test hello_consensus_liveness
 ```

 ---
--- a/book/src/best-practices.md
+++ b/book/src/best-practices.md
@ -128,13 +128,9 @@ strategy:

 ## Anti-Patterns to Avoid

-**DON'T: Run without POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE**
 ```bash
 # BAD: Will hang/timeout on proof generation
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
-
-# GOOD: Fast mode for testing
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 ```

 **DON'T: Use tiny durations**
--- a/book/src/ci-integration.md
+++ b/book/src/ci-integration.md
@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ on:
    branches: [main]

 env:
-  POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE: true
  CARGO_TERM_COLOR: always
  RUST_BACKTRACE: 1

@ -243,17 +242,6 @@ if: github.event_name == 'push' && github.ref == 'refs/heads/main'

 ## Best Practices

-### Required: Set POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE
-
-**Always set `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` globally** in your workflow env:
-
-```yaml
-env:
-  POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE: true  # REQUIRED!
-```
-
-Without this, tests will hang due to expensive proof generation.
-
 ### Use Helper Scripts

 Prefer `scripts/run/run-examples.sh` which handles all setup automatically:
--- a/book/src/environment-variables.md
+++ b/book/src/environment-variables.md
@ -2,27 +2,6 @@

 Complete reference of environment variables used by the testing framework, organized by category.

-## Critical Variables
-
-These MUST be set for successful test runs:
-
-| Variable | Required | Default | Effect |
-|----------|----------|---------|--------|
-| `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE` | **YES** | — | **REQUIRED for all runners**. Set to `true` to use fast dev-mode proving instead of expensive Groth16. Without this, tests will hang/timeout. |
-
-**Example:**
-
-```bash
-export POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true
-```
-
-Or add to your shell profile (`~/.bashrc`, `~/.zshrc`):
-
-```bash
-# Required for nomos-testing framework
-export POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true
-```
-
 ---

 ## Runner Selection & Topology
@ -138,7 +117,6 @@ Control node log output (not framework runner logs):
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR=/tmp/test-logs \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_LEVEL=debug \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_FILTER="cryptarchia=trace" \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner

 # Inspect logs
@ -303,7 +281,6 @@ Node-level configuration passed through to logos-blockchain-node:
 # Faster block production
 CONSENSUS_SLOT_TIME=5 \
 CONSENSUS_ACTIVE_SLOT_COEFF=0.9 \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 ```

@ -350,14 +327,12 @@ Variables used by helper scripts (`scripts/run/run-examples.sh`, etc.):
 ### Minimal Host Run

 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 host
 ```

 ### Debug Logging (Host)

 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR=/tmp/logs \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_LEVEL=debug \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_FILTER="cryptarchia=trace" \
@ -367,7 +342,6 @@ scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 host
 ### Compose with Observability

 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_METRICS_QUERY_URL=http://localhost:9090 \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_GRAFANA_URL=http://localhost:3000 \
 scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 compose
@ -376,7 +350,6 @@ scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 compose
 ### K8s with Debug

 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 K8S_RUNNER_NAMESPACE=nomos-debug \
 K8S_RUNNER_DEBUG=1 \
 K8S_RUNNER_PRESERVE=1 \
@ -387,7 +360,6 @@ scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 k8s

 ```yaml
 env:
-  POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE: true
  RUST_BACKTRACE: 1
  LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTS_KEEP_LOGS: 1
 ```
--- a/book/src/examples.md
+++ b/book/src/examples.md
@ -15,9 +15,7 @@ and expectations.

 **Recommended:** Use `scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t <duration> -n <nodes> <mode>` where mode is `host`, `compose`, or `k8s`.

-**Alternative:** Direct cargo run: `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin <name>`
-
-**All runners require `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true`** to avoid expensive proof generation.
+**Alternative:** Direct cargo run: `cargo run -p runner-examples --bin <name>`

 **Code patterns** below show how to build scenarios. Wrap these in `#[tokio::test]` functions for integration tests, or `#[tokio::main]` for binaries.

--- a/book/src/glossary.md
+++ b/book/src/glossary.md
@ -38,10 +38,6 @@
  Also called "correctness expectations."
 - **Mantle transaction**: transaction type in Logos that can contain UTXO transfers
  (LedgerTx) and operations (Op).
- **POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE**: environment variable that disables expensive Groth16 zero-knowledge
-  proof generation for leader election. **Required for all runners** (local, compose, k8s)
-  for practical testing—without it, proof generation causes timeouts. Should never be
-  used in production environments.

 ---

--- a/book/src/logging-observability.md
+++ b/book/src/logging-observability.md
@ -46,7 +46,6 @@ LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTS_TRACING=true \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR=/tmp/test-logs \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_LEVEL=debug \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_FILTER="cryptarchia=trace,chain_service=info,chain_network=info" \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 ```

@ -90,7 +89,7 @@ LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_FILTER="cryptarchia=trace,chain_service=info,chain_network=
 **Default (temporary directories, auto-cleanup):**

 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
+cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 # Logs written to temporary directories in working directory
 # Automatically cleaned up after test completes
 ```
@ -99,7 +98,6 @@ POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner

 ```bash
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR=/tmp/local-logs \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner

 # After test completes:
@ -137,7 +135,6 @@ To write per-node log files inside containers, set `tracing_settings.logger: !Fi
 ```bash
 # Ensure cfgsync.yaml is configured to log to /logs
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE=logos-blockchain-testing:local \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin compose_runner

 # After test, copy files from containers:
@ -257,7 +254,6 @@ scripts/setup/setup-observability.sh compose up
 eval $(scripts/setup/setup-observability.sh compose env)

 # Run scenario with metrics
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 compose
 ```

@ -275,7 +271,7 @@ scripts/setup/setup-observability.sh compose up
 eval $(scripts/setup/setup-observability.sh compose env)

 export LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_GRAFANA_URL=http://localhost:3000
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 compose
+scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 compose
 ```

 **Default bundled Grafana login:** `admin` / `admin` (see `scripts/observability/compose/docker-compose.yml`).
@ -322,7 +318,6 @@ flowchart TD
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR=/tmp/logs \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_LEVEL=debug \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_FILTER="cryptarchia=trace" \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 host
 ```

@ -334,7 +329,6 @@ scripts/setup/setup-observability.sh compose up
 eval $(scripts/setup/setup-observability.sh compose env)

 # Run with metrics
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 compose

 # Access Grafana at http://localhost:3000
@ -346,7 +340,6 @@ scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 compose
 K8S_RUNNER_NAMESPACE=nomos-debug \
 K8S_RUNNER_DEBUG=1 \
 K8S_RUNNER_PRESERVE=1 \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 k8s

 # Inspect logs
--- a/book/src/manual-cluster.md
+++ b/book/src/manual-cluster.md
@ -375,7 +375,6 @@ async fn external_driver_example() -> Result<()> {

 ```bash
 # Required: dev mode for fast proofs
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo test -p runner-examples -- --ignored external_driver_example
 ```

@ -385,7 +384,6 @@ cargo test -p runner-examples -- --ignored external_driver_example
 # Preserve logs after test
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTS_KEEP_LOGS=1 \
 RUST_LOG=info \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo test -p runner-examples -- --ignored external_driver_example
 ```

--- a/book/src/operations-overview.md
+++ b/book/src/operations-overview.md
@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ Operational readiness focuses on prerequisites, environment fit, and clear signa
 - Binary bundles for reproducible builds

 **Environment Configuration:**
- `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` is **REQUIRED for all runners** to avoid expensive proof generation
 - Logging configured via `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_*` variables
 - Observability endpoints (Prometheus, Grafana) optional but useful

--- a/book/src/prerequisites.md
+++ b/book/src/prerequisites.md
@ -194,30 +194,6 @@ minikube image load logos-blockchain-testing:local
 - Resource isolation
 - Large topologies

-## Critical Environment Variable
-
-**`POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` is REQUIRED for ALL runners!**
-
-Without this, proof generation uses expensive Groth16 proving, causing:
- Tests "hang" for minutes
- CPU spikes to 100%
- Timeouts and failures
-
-**Always set:**
-
-```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 compose
-# etc.
-```
-
-**Or add to your shell profile:**
-
-```bash
-# ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc
-export POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true
-```
-
 ## Quick Setup Check

 Run this checklist before your first scenario:
@ -229,16 +205,13 @@ cat versions.env
 # 2. Check circuit assets
 ls -lh "${HOME}/.logos-blockchain-circuits"

-# 3. Verify POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE is set
-echo $POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE  # Should print: true
-
-# 4. For compose/k8s: verify Docker is running
+# 3. For compose/k8s: verify Docker is running
 docker ps

-# 5. For compose/k8s: verify image exists
+# 4. For compose/k8s: verify image exists
 docker images | grep logos-blockchain-testing

-# 6. For host runner: verify node binaries (if not using scripts)
+# 5. For host runner: verify node binaries (if not using scripts)
 $LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN --version
 ```

--- a/book/src/quickstart.md
+++ b/book/src/quickstart.md
@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ git clone https://github.com/logos-blockchain/logos-blockchain-testing.git
 cd logos-blockchain-testing

 # 3. Run your first scenario (downloads dependencies automatically)
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 1 host
+scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 1 host
 ```

 **First run takes 5-10 minutes** (downloads ~120MB circuit assets, builds binaries).
@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ This handles circuit setup, binary building, and runs a complete scenario: 1 nod

 ```bash
 # Requires circuits in place and LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN set
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
+cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 ```

 **Core API Pattern** (simplified example):
@ -92,8 +92,6 @@ pub async fn run_local_demo() -> Result<()> {

 **Note:** The examples are binaries with `#[tokio::main]`, not test functions. If you want to write integration tests, wrap this pattern in `#[tokio::test]` functions in your own test suite.

-**Important:** `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` disables expensive Groth16 zero-knowledge proof generation for leader election. Without it, proof generation is CPU-intensive and tests will timeout. **This is required for all runners** (local, compose, k8s) for practical testing. Never use in production.
-
 **What you should see:**
 - Nodes spawn as local processes
 - Consensus starts producing blocks
@ -213,7 +211,6 @@ scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 120 -n 3 host
 # Uses LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_DEMO_* env vars (or legacy *_DEMO_* vars)
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_DEMO_NODES=3 \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_DEMO_RUN_SECS=120 \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 ```

@ -246,7 +243,6 @@ scripts/build/build_test_image.sh

 # Run with Compose
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE=logos-blockchain-testing:local \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin compose_runner
 ```

--- a/book/src/runners.md
+++ b/book/src/runners.md
@ -4,8 +4,6 @@ Runners turn a scenario plan into a live environment while keeping the plan
 unchanged. Choose based on feedback speed, reproducibility, and fidelity. For
 environment and operational considerations, see [Operations Overview](operations-overview.md).

-**Important:** All runners require `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` to avoid expensive Groth16 proof generation that causes timeouts.
-
 ## Host runner (local processes)
 - Launches node processes directly on the host (via `LocalDeployer`).
 - Binary: `local_runner.rs`, script mode: `host`
--- a/book/src/running-examples.md
+++ b/book/src/running-examples.md
@ -99,7 +99,6 @@ scripts/ops/clean.sh --docker
 For manual control, run the `local_runner` binary directly:

 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN=/path/to/logos-blockchain-node \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 ```
@ -116,7 +115,6 @@ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTS_TRACING` | false | Enable debug tracing preset |
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_LEVEL` | info | Global log level: error, warn, info, debug, trace |
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_FILTER` | None | Fine-grained module filtering (e.g., `cryptarchia=trace`) |
-| `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE` | — | **REQUIRED**: Set to `true` for all runners |

 **Note:** Requires circuit assets and host binaries. Use `scripts/run/run-examples.sh host` to handle setup automatically.

@ -139,7 +137,6 @@ scripts/build/build_test_image.sh

 # 3. Run
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE=logos-blockchain-testing:local \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin compose_runner
 ```

@ -154,7 +151,6 @@ scripts/build/build_test_image.sh

 # Run
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE=logos-blockchain-testing:local \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin compose_runner
 ```

@ -169,7 +165,6 @@ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin compose_runner
 | Variable | Default | Effect |
 |----------|---------|--------|
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE` | — | Image tag (required, must match built image) |
-| `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE` | — | **REQUIRED**: Set to `true` for all runners |
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_DEMO_NODES` | 1 | Number of nodes |
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_DEMO_RUN_SECS` | 60 | Run duration in seconds |
 | `COMPOSE_NODE_PAIRS` | — | Alternative topology format: "nodes" (e.g., `3`) |
@ -232,7 +227,6 @@ export LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE=your-registry/logos-blockchain-testing:lat

 ```bash
 export LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE=logos-blockchain-testing:local
-export POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin k8s_runner
 ```

@ -241,7 +235,6 @@ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin k8s_runner
 | Variable | Default | Effect |
 |----------|---------|--------|
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE` | — | Image tag (required) |
-| `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE` | — | **REQUIRED**: Set to `true` for all runners |
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_DEMO_NODES` | 1 | Number of nodes |
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_DEMO_RUN_SECS` | 60 | Run duration in seconds |
 | `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_METRICS_QUERY_URL` | None | Prometheus-compatible base URL for runner to query (PromQL) |
--- a/book/src/running-scenarios.md
+++ b/book/src/running-scenarios.md
@ -69,7 +69,6 @@ Notes:
 Run the built-in local examples:

 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 host
 ```

@ -82,7 +81,6 @@ scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 host
 Run the built-in compose examples:

 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 compose
 ```

@ -95,7 +93,6 @@ scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 compose
 Run the built-in k8s examples:

 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 scripts/run/run-examples.sh -t 60 -n 3 k8s
 ```

--- a/book/src/troubleshooting.md
+++ b/book/src/troubleshooting.md
@ -2,7 +2,6 @@

 **Prerequisites for All Runners:**
 - **`versions.env` file** at repository root (required by helper scripts)
- **`POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true`** MUST be set for all runners (host, compose, k8s) to avoid expensive Groth16 proof generation that causes timeouts
 - **Circuit assets** must be present and `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS` must point to a directory that contains them

 **Platform/Environment Notes:**
@ -18,7 +17,6 @@

 Common symptoms and likely causes:

- **No or slow block progression**: missing `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true`, missing circuit assets, too-short run window, port conflicts, or resource exhaustion—set required env vars, verify assets exist, extend duration, check node logs for startup errors.
 - **Transactions not included**: unfunded or misconfigured wallets (check `.wallets(N)` vs `.users(M)`), transaction rate exceeding block capacity, or rates exceeding block production speed—reduce rate, increase wallet count, verify wallet setup in logs.
 - **Chaos stalls the run**: chaos (node control) only works with ComposeDeployer; host runner (LocalDeployer) and K8sDeployer don't support it (won't "stall", just can't execute chaos workloads). With compose, aggressive restart cadence can prevent consensus recovery—widen restart intervals.
 - **Observability gaps**: metrics or logs unreachable because ports clash or services are not exposed—adjust observability ports and confirm runner wiring.
@ -28,40 +26,7 @@ Common symptoms and likely causes:

 This section shows what you'll actually see when common issues occur. Each example includes realistic console output and the fix.

-### 1. Missing `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` (Most Common!)
-
-**Symptoms:**
- Test "hangs" with no visible progress
- CPU usage spikes to 100%
- Eventually hits timeout after several minutes
- Nodes appear to start but blocks aren't produced
-
-**What you'll see:**
-
-```text
-$ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
-    Finished dev [unoptimized + debuginfo] target(s) in 0.48s
-     Running `target/debug/local_runner`
-[INFO  runner_examples::local_runner] Starting local runner scenario
-[INFO  testing_framework_runner_local] Launching 3 nodes
-[INFO  testing_framework_runner_local] Waiting for node readiness...
-(hangs here for 5+ minutes, CPU at 100%)
-thread 'main' panicked at 'readiness timeout expired'
-```
-
-**Root Cause:** Groth16 proof generation is extremely slow without dev mode. The system tries to compute real cryptographic proofs, which can take minutes per block.
-
-**Fix:**
-
-```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
-```
-
-**Prevention:** Set this in your shell profile or `.env` file so you never forget it.
-
---
-
-### 2. Missing `versions.env` File
+### 1. Missing `versions.env` File

 **Symptoms:**
 - Helper scripts fail immediately
@ -93,7 +58,7 @@ cat versions.env

 ---

-### 3. Missing Circuit Assets
+### 2. Missing Circuit Assets

 **Symptoms:**
 - Node startup fails early
@ -102,7 +67,7 @@ cat versions.env
 **What you'll see:**

 ```text
-$ POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
+$ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 [INFO  testing_framework_runner_local] Starting local runner scenario
 Error: circuit assets directory missing or invalid
 thread 'main' panicked at 'workload init failed'
@ -129,7 +94,7 @@ export LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS=$HOME/.logos-blockchain-circuits

 ---

-### 4. Node Binaries Not Found
+### 3. Node Binaries Not Found

 **Symptoms:**
 - Error about missing `logos-blockchain-node` binary
@ -139,7 +104,7 @@ export LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS=$HOME/.logos-blockchain-circuits
 **What you'll see:**

 ```text
-$ POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
+$ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 [INFO  testing_framework_runner_local] Spawning node 0
 Error: Os { code: 2, kind: NotFound, message: "No such file or directory" }
 thread 'main' panicked at 'failed to spawn logos-blockchain-node process'
@ -166,12 +131,12 @@ export LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN=$PWD/target/release/logos-blockchain-node

 # Return to testing framework
 cd ../nomos-testing
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
+cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 ```

 ---

-### 5. Docker Daemon Not Running (Compose)
+### 4. Docker Daemon Not Running (Compose)

 **Symptoms:**
 - Compose tests fail immediately
@ -208,7 +173,7 @@ sudo usermod -aG docker $USER

 ---

-### 6. Image Not Found (Compose/K8s)
+### 5. Image Not Found (Compose/K8s)

 **Symptoms:**
 - Compose/K8s tests fail during deployment
@ -218,7 +183,7 @@ sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
 **What you'll see:**

 ```text
-$ POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin compose_runner
+$ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin compose_runner
 [INFO  testing_framework_runner_compose] Starting compose deployment
 Error: Failed to pull image 'logos-blockchain-testing:local': No such image
 thread 'main' panicked at 'compose deployment failed'
@ -255,7 +220,7 @@ kind load docker-image logos-blockchain-testing:local

 ---

-### 7. Port Conflicts
+### 6. Port Conflicts

 **Symptoms:**
 - "Address already in use" errors
@ -265,7 +230,7 @@ kind load docker-image logos-blockchain-testing:local
 **What you'll see:**

 ```text
-$ POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
+$ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 [INFO  testing_framework_runner_local] Launching node 0 on port 18080
 Error: Os { code: 48, kind: AddrInUse, message: "Address already in use" }
 thread 'main' panicked at 'failed to bind port 18080'
@ -305,7 +270,7 @@ vim scripts/observability/compose/docker-compose.yml

 ---

-### 8. Wallet Seeding Failed (Insufficient Funds)
+### 7. Wallet Seeding Failed (Insufficient Funds)

 **Symptoms:**
 - Transaction workload reports wallet issues
@ -315,7 +280,7 @@ vim scripts/observability/compose/docker-compose.yml
 **What you'll see:**

 ```text
-$ POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
+$ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 [INFO  testing_framework_workflows] Starting transaction workload with 10 users
 [ERROR testing_framework_workflows] Wallet seeding failed: requested 10 users but only 3 wallets available
 thread 'main' panicked at 'workload init failed: insufficient wallets'
@ -340,7 +305,7 @@ let scenario = ScenarioBuilder::topology_with(|t| t.network_star().nodes(3))

 ---

-### 9. Resource Exhaustion (OOM / CPU)
+### 8. Resource Exhaustion (OOM / CPU)

 **Symptoms:**
 - Nodes crash randomly
@ -385,7 +350,7 @@ ulimit -n 4096

 ---

-### 10. Logs Disappear After Run
+### 9. Logs Disappear After Run

 **Symptoms:**
 - Test completes but no logs on disk
@ -395,7 +360,7 @@ ulimit -n 4096
 **What you'll see:**

 ```text
-$ POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
+$ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 [INFO  runner_examples] Test complete, cleaning up
 [INFO  testing_framework_runner_local] Removing temporary directories
 $ ls .tmp/
@ -410,7 +375,6 @@ $ ls .tmp/
 # Persist logs to a specific directory
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR=/tmp/test-logs \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTS_KEEP_LOGS=1 \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner

 # Logs persist after run
@ -422,7 +386,7 @@ ls /tmp/test-logs/

 ---

-### 11. Consensus Timing Too Tight / Run Duration Too Short
+### 10. Consensus Timing Too Tight / Run Duration Too Short

 **Symptoms:**
 - "Consensus liveness expectation failed"
@ -432,7 +396,7 @@ ls /tmp/test-logs/
 **What you'll see:**

 ```text
-$ POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
+$ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 [INFO  testing_framework_core] Starting workloads
 [INFO  testing_framework_core] Run window: 10 seconds
 [INFO  testing_framework_core] Evaluating expectations
@ -463,7 +427,6 @@ let scenario = ScenarioBuilder::topology_with(|t| t.network_star().nodes(3))
 # Faster block production (shorter slot time)
 CONSENSUS_SLOT_TIME=5 \
 CONSENSUS_ACTIVE_SLOT_COEFF=0.9 \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner
 ```

@ -473,17 +436,16 @@ cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner

 When a test fails, check these in order:

-1. **`POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` is set** (REQUIRED for all runners)
-2. **`versions.env` exists at repo root**
-3. **Circuit assets present** (`LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS` points to a valid directory)
-4. **Node binaries available** (`LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN` set, or using `run-examples.sh`)
-5. **Docker daemon running** (for compose/k8s)
-6. **Docker image built** (`logos-blockchain-testing:local` exists for compose/k8s)
-7. **No port conflicts** (`lsof -i :18080`, kill orphaned processes)
-8. **Sufficient wallets** (`.wallets(N)` ≥ `.users(M)`)
-9. **Enough resources** (Docker memory 8GB+, ulimit -n 4096)
-10. **Run duration appropriate** (long enough for consensus timing)
-11. **Logs persisted** (`LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR` + `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTS_KEEP_LOGS=1` if needed)
+1. **`versions.env` exists at repo root**
+2. **Circuit assets present** (`LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS` points to a valid directory)
+3. **Node binaries available** (`LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN` set, or using `run-examples.sh`)
+4. **Docker daemon running** (for compose/k8s)
+5. **Docker image built** (`logos-blockchain-testing:local` exists for compose/k8s)
+6. **No port conflicts** (`lsof -i :18080`, kill orphaned processes)
+7. **Sufficient wallets** (`.wallets(N)` ≥ `.users(M)`)
+8. **Enough resources** (Docker memory 8GB+, ulimit -n 4096)
+9. **Run duration appropriate** (long enough for consensus timing)
+10. **Logs persisted** (`LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR` + `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTS_KEEP_LOGS=1` if needed)

 **Still stuck?** Check node logs (see [Where to Find Logs](#where-to-find-logs)) for the actual error.

@ -509,14 +471,13 @@ When a test fails, check these in order:

 **Console output (default):**
 ```bash
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner 2>&1 | tee test.log
+cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner 2>&1 | tee test.log
 ```

 **Persistent file output:**
 ```bash
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR=/tmp/debug-logs \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_LEVEL=debug \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin local_runner

 # Inspect logs (note: filenames include timestamps):
@ -546,7 +507,6 @@ docker logs --tail 100 <container-id>
 ```bash
 COMPOSE_RUNNER_PRESERVE=1 \
 LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE=logos-blockchain-testing:local \
-POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
 cargo run -p runner-examples --bin compose_runner

 # OR: Use run-examples.sh (handles setup automatically)
@ -651,7 +611,6 @@ Focus on the first node that exhibited problems or the node with the highest ind
 - "ERROR: versions.env missing" → missing required `versions.env` file at repository root
 - "Failed to bind address" → port conflict
 - "Connection refused" → peer not ready or network issue
- "Proof verification failed" or "Proof generation timeout" → missing `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` (REQUIRED for all runners)
 - "Circuit file not found" → missing circuit assets at the path in `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS`
 - "Insufficient funds" → wallet seeding issue (increase `.wallets(N)` or reduce `.users(M)`)

@ -689,16 +648,14 @@ Run a minimal baseline test (e.g., 2 nodes, consensus liveness only). If it pass

 ### "Consensus liveness expectation failed"

- **Cause**: Not enough blocks produced during the run window, missing
-  `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` (causes slow proof generation), or missing circuit
+- **Cause**: Not enough blocks produced during the run window, missing circuit
  assets.
 - **Fix**:
-  1. Verify `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` is set (REQUIRED for all runners).
-  2. Verify circuit assets exist at the path referenced by
+  1. Verify circuit assets exist at the path referenced by
     `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS`.
-  3. Extend `with_run_duration()` to allow more blocks.
-  4. Check node logs for proof generation or circuit asset errors.
-  5. Reduce transaction rate if nodes are overwhelmed.
+  2. Extend `with_run_duration()` to allow more blocks.
+  3. Check node logs for proof generation or circuit asset errors.
+  4. Reduce transaction rate if nodes are overwhelmed.

 ### "Wallet seeding failed"

@ -720,11 +677,10 @@ Run a minimal baseline test (e.g., 2 nodes, consensus liveness only). If it pass
 - **Cause**: Nodes didn't become responsive within expected time (often due to
  missing prerequisites).
 - **Fix**:
-  1. **Verify `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` is set** (REQUIRED for all runners—without
     it, proof generation is too slow).
-  2. Check node logs for startup errors (port conflicts, missing assets).
-  3. Verify network connectivity between nodes.
-  4. Ensure circuit assets are present and `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS` points to them.
+  1. Check node logs for startup errors (port conflicts, missing assets).
+  2. Verify network connectivity between nodes.
+  3. Ensure circuit assets are present and `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS` points to them.

 ### "ERROR: versions.env missing"

--- a/book/src/workloads.md
+++ b/book/src/workloads.md
@ -78,13 +78,7 @@ ScenarioBuilder::topology_with(|t| t.network_star().nodes(3))
   ```
   The workload will fail during `init()` if no wallets are configured.

-2. **Proof generation must be fast:**
-   ```bash
-   export POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true
-   ```
-   Without this, proof generation takes ~30-60 seconds per transaction, causing timeouts.
-
-3. **Circuit artifacts must be available:**
+2. **Circuit artifacts must be available:**
   - Automatically staged by `scripts/run/run-examples.sh`
   - Or manually via `scripts/setup/setup-logos-blockchain-circuits.sh` (recommended) / `scripts/setup/setup-logos-blockchain-circuits.sh`

@ -108,7 +102,6 @@ Error: Expectation failed: TxInclusionExpectation
  Observed: 127 transactions
  
  Possible causes:
-  - POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE not set (proof generation too slow)
  - Duration too short (nodes still syncing)
  - Node crashes (check logs for panics/OOM)
  - Wallet accounts not seeded (check topology config)
@ -119,9 +112,8 @@ Error: Expectation failed: TxInclusionExpectation
   ```bash
   grep "proof generation" $LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR/*/*.log
   ```
-2. Verify `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true` was set
-3. Increase duration: `.with_run_duration(Duration::from_secs(120))`
-4. Reduce rate: `.rate(5)` instead of `.rate(10)`
+2. Increase duration: `.with_run_duration(Duration::from_secs(120))`
+3. Reduce rate: `.rate(5)` instead of `.rate(10)`

 ---

@ -382,12 +374,11 @@ ScenarioBuilder::topology_with(|t| t.network_star().nodes(3))
 When a workload or expectation fails:

 1. Check logs: `$LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_DIR/*/` or `docker compose logs` or `kubectl logs`
-2. Verify environment variables: `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE`, `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN`, etc.
-3. Check prerequisites: wallets, node control, circuits
-4. Increase duration: Double the run duration and retry
-5. Reduce rates: Half the traffic rates and retry
-6. Check metrics: Prometheus queries for block height and tx count
-7. Reproduce locally: Use local runner for faster iteration
+2. Check prerequisites: wallets, node control, circuits
+3. Increase duration: Double the run duration and retry
+4. Reduce rates: Half the traffic rates and retry
+5. Check metrics: Prometheus queries for block height and tx count
+6. Reproduce locally: Use local runner for faster iteration

 ---

--- a/examples/src/bin/local_runner.rs
+++ b/examples/src/bin/local_runner.rs
@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::{env, process, time::Duration};
+use std::{process, time::Duration};

 use anyhow::{Context as _, Result};
 use runner_examples::{DeployerKind, ScenarioBuilderExt as _, demo, read_env_any};
@ -17,11 +17,6 @@ async fn main() {

    tracing_subscriber::fmt::init();

-    if env::var("POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE").is_err() {
-        warn!("POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true is required for the local runner demo");
-        process::exit(1);
-    }
-
    let nodes = read_env_any(&["LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_DEMO_NODES"], demo::DEFAULT_NODES);
    let run_secs = read_env_any(&["LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_DEMO_RUN_SECS"], demo::DEFAULT_RUN_SECS);

--- a/examples/src/defaults.rs
+++ b/examples/src/defaults.rs
@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ fn set_default_env(key: &str, value: &str) {
 }

 pub fn init_logging_defaults() {
-    set_default_env("POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE", "true");
    set_default_env("LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTS_KEEP_LOGS", "1");
    set_default_env("LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_LEVEL", "info");
    set_default_env("RUST_LOG", "info");
--- a/examples/tests/dynamic_join.rs
+++ b/examples/tests/dynamic_join.rs
@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ impl Workload for JoinNodeWithPeersWorkload {
        let options = StartNodeOptions {
            peers: PeerSelection::Named(self.peers.clone()),
            config_patch: None,
+            persist_dir: None,
        };
        let node = handle.start_node_with(&self.name, options).await?;
        let client = node.api;
--- a/examples/tests/manual_cluster.rs
+++ b/examples/tests/manual_cluster.rs
@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ const CONVERGENCE_POLL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(2);
 async fn manual_cluster_two_clusters_merge() -> Result<()> {
    let _ = try_init();
    // Required env vars (set on the command line when running this test):
-    // - `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true`
    // - `RUST_LOG=info` (optional)
    let config = TopologyConfig::with_node_numbers(2);
    let deployer = LocalDeployer::new();
@ -33,6 +32,7 @@ async fn manual_cluster_two_clusters_merge() -> Result<()> {
            StartNodeOptions {
                peers: PeerSelection::None,
                config_patch: None,
+                persist_dir: None,
            },
        )
        .await?
@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ async fn manual_cluster_two_clusters_merge() -> Result<()> {
            StartNodeOptions {
                peers: PeerSelection::Named(vec!["node-a".to_owned()]),
                config_patch: None,
+                persist_dir: None,
            },
        )
        .await?
@ -82,3 +83,57 @@ async fn manual_cluster_two_clusters_merge() -> Result<()> {
        sleep(CONVERGENCE_POLL).await;
    }
 }
+
+#[tokio::test]
+#[ignore = "run manually with `cargo test -p runner-examples -- --ignored manual_cluster_with_persist_dir`"]
+async fn manual_cluster_with_persist_dir() -> Result<()> {
+    use std::path::PathBuf;
+
+    let _ = try_init();
+    // Required env vars (set on the command line when running this test):
+    // - `RUST_LOG=info` (optional)
+    let config = TopologyConfig::with_node_numbers(1);
+    let deployer = LocalDeployer::new();
+    let cluster = deployer.manual_cluster(config)?;
+
+    let persist_dir = PathBuf::from("/tmp/test-node-persist-dir");
+
+    println!("starting validator with persist_dir: {:?}", persist_dir);
+
+    let _node = cluster
+        .start_node_with(
+            "test",
+            StartNodeOptions {
+                peers: PeerSelection::None,
+                config_patch: None,
+                persist_dir: Some(persist_dir.clone()),
+            },
+        )
+        .await?
+        .api;
+
+    println!("validator started, waiting briefly");
+    sleep(Duration::from_secs(5)).await;
+
+    // Drop the cluster to trigger the persist logic
+    drop(cluster);
+
+    println!("cluster dropped, checking if persist_dir exists");
+
+    // Verify the persist_dir was created
+    if !persist_dir.exists() {
+        return Err(anyhow::anyhow!(
+            "persist_dir was not created: {:?}",
+            persist_dir
+        ));
+    }
+
+    println!("persist_dir verified: {:?}", persist_dir);
+
+    // Clean up
+    if persist_dir.exists() {
+        std::fs::remove_dir_all(&persist_dir)?;
+    }
+
+    Ok(())
+}
--- a/examples/tests/node_config_override.rs
+++ b/examples/tests/node_config_override.rs
@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ use tracing_subscriber::fmt::try_init;
 async fn manual_cluster_api_port_override() -> Result<()> {
    let _ = try_init();
    // Required env vars (set on the command line when running this test):
-    // - `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true`
    // - `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN=...`
    // - `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS=...`
    // - `RUST_LOG=info` (optional)
@ -33,6 +32,7 @@ async fn manual_cluster_api_port_override() -> Result<()> {
            StartNodeOptions {
                peers: PeerSelection::None,
                config_patch: None,
+                persist_dir: None,
            }
            .create_patch(move |mut config| {
                println!("overriding API port to {api_port}");
@ -62,7 +62,6 @@ async fn manual_cluster_api_port_override() -> Result<()> {
 async fn scenario_builder_api_port_override() -> Result<()> {
    let _ = try_init();
    // Required env vars (set on the command line when running this test):
-    // - `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true`
    // - `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN=...`
    // - `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_CIRCUITS=...`
    // - `RUST_LOG=info` (optional)
--- a/examples/tests/orphan_manual_cluster.rs
+++ b/examples/tests/orphan_manual_cluster.rs
@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ const POLL_INTERVAL: Duration = Duration::from_secs(1);
 async fn orphan_manual_cluster() -> Result<()> {
    let _ = try_init();
    // Required env vars (set on the command line when running this test):
-    // - `POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true`
    // - `LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN=...`
    // - `NOMOS_KZGRS_PARAMS_PATH=...` (path to KZG params directory/file)
    // - `RUST_LOG=info` (optional; better visibility)
--- a/scripts/run/run-examples.sh
+++ b/scripts/run/run-examples.sh
@ -515,7 +515,6 @@ run_examples::run() {
  echo "==> Running ${BIN} for ${RUN_SECS}s (mode=${MODE}, image=${IMAGE})"
  cd "${ROOT_DIR}"

-  POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE=true \
  TESTNET_PRINT_ENDPOINTS=1 \
  LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE="${IMAGE}" \
  LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN="${LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_NODE_BIN:-}" \
--- a/testing-framework/assets/stack/scripts/run_nomos.sh
+++ b/testing-framework/assets/stack/scripts/run_nomos.sh
@ -47,8 +47,7 @@ export CFG_FILE_PATH="/config.yaml" \
       CFG_HOST_KIND="${CFG_HOST_KIND:-$role}" \
       CFG_HOST_IDENTIFIER="${CFG_HOST_IDENTIFIER:-$host_identifier_default}" \
       LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TIME_BACKEND="${LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TIME_BACKEND:-monotonic}" \
-       LOG_LEVEL="${LOG_LEVEL:-INFO}" \
-       POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE="${POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE:-true}"
+       LOG_LEVEL="${LOG_LEVEL:-INFO}"``"

 # Ensure recovery directory exists to avoid early crashes in services that
 # persist state.
--- a/testing-framework/configs/src/topology/configs/mod.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/configs/src/topology/configs/mod.rs
@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ use std::cmp;

 use blend::GeneralBlendConfig;
 use consensus::{
-    ConsensusConfigError, GeneralConsensusConfig, ProviderInfo, create_genesis_tx_with_declarations,
+    ConsensusConfigError, GeneralConsensusConfig, ProviderInfo,
+    create_genesis_tx_with_declarations, sync_utxos_with_genesis,
 };
 use key_management_system_service::{backend::preload::PreloadKMSBackendSettings, keys::Key};
 use network::GeneralNetworkConfig;
@ -203,7 +204,7 @@ fn apply_consensus_genesis_tx(
 ) -> Result<(), ConsensusConfigError> {
    for c in consensus_configs {
        c.genesis_tx = genesis_tx.clone();
-        consensus::sync_utxos_with_genesis(&mut c.utxos, genesis_tx)?;
+        sync_utxos_with_genesis(&mut c.utxos, genesis_tx)?;
    }

    Ok(())
--- a/testing-framework/core/src/nodes/common/node.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/core/src/nodes/common/node.rs
@ -71,15 +71,23 @@ pub struct NodeHandle<T> {
    pub(crate) tempdir: TempDir,
    pub(crate) config: T,
    pub(crate) api: ApiClient,
+    pub(crate) persist_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
 }

 impl<T> NodeHandle<T> {
-    pub fn new(child: Child, tempdir: TempDir, config: T, api: ApiClient) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(
+        child: Child,
+        tempdir: TempDir,
+        config: T,
+        api: ApiClient,
+        persist_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
+    ) -> Self {
        Self {
            child,
            tempdir,
            config,
            api,
+            persist_dir,
        }
    }

@ -154,6 +162,7 @@ pub async fn spawn_node<C>(
    config_filename: &str,
    binary_path: PathBuf,
    enable_logging: bool,
+    persist_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
 ) -> Result<NodeHandle<C>, SpawnNodeError>
 where
    C: NodeConfigCommon + Serialize,
@ -168,7 +177,13 @@ where

    let child = spawn_node_process(&binary_path, &config_path, dir.path())?;

-    let mut handle = NodeHandle::new(child, dir, config, ApiClient::new(addr, testing_addr));
+    let mut handle = NodeHandle::new(
+        child,
+        dir,
+        config,
+        ApiClient::new(addr, testing_addr),
+        persist_dir,
+    );

    // Wait for readiness via consensus_info
    let ready = wait_for_consensus_readiness(&handle.api).await;
--- a/testing-framework/core/src/nodes/mod.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/core/src/nodes/mod.rs
@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ use std::sync::LazyLock;
 pub use api_client::{ApiClient, ApiClientError};
 use tempfile::TempDir;
 use testing_framework_env as tf_env;
+use tracing::info;

 pub(crate) const LOGS_PREFIX: &str = "__logs";
 static KEEP_NODE_TEMPDIRS: LazyLock<bool> = LazyLock::new(tf_env::nomos_tests_keep_logs);
@ -30,6 +31,55 @@ fn persist_tempdir(tempdir: &mut TempDir, label: &str) -> std::io::Result<()> {
    Ok(())
 }

+pub(crate) fn persist_tempdir_to(
+    tempdir: &mut TempDir,
+    target_dir: &std::path::Path,
+    label: &str,
+) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+    use std::fs;
+
+    info!(
+        label,
+        from = %tempdir.path().display(),
+        to = %target_dir.display(),
+        "persisting directory"
+    );
+
+    // Create parent directory if it doesn't exist
+    if let Some(parent) = target_dir.parent() {
+        fs::create_dir_all(parent)?;
+    }
+
+    // Copy tempdir contents to target directory
+    if target_dir.exists() {
+        fs::remove_dir_all(target_dir)?;
+    }
+
+    /// Recursively copies all contents from src directory to dst directory.
+    ///
+    /// # Arguments
+    /// * `src` - Source directory path to copy from
+    /// * `dst` - Destination directory path to copy to
+    fn copy_dir_all(src: &std::path::Path, dst: &std::path::Path) -> std::io::Result<()> {
+        use std::fs;
+        fs::create_dir_all(dst)?;
+        for entry in fs::read_dir(src)? {
+            let entry = entry?;
+            let ty = entry.file_type()?;
+            if ty.is_dir() {
+                copy_dir_all(&entry.path(), &dst.join(entry.file_name()))?;
+            } else {
+                fs::copy(entry.path(), dst.join(entry.file_name()))?;
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    copy_dir_all(tempdir.path(), target_dir)?;
+
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 pub(crate) fn should_persist_tempdir() -> bool {
    std::thread::panicking() || *KEEP_NODE_TEMPDIRS
 }
--- a/testing-framework/core/src/nodes/node.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/core/src/nodes/node.rs
@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ use nomos_tracing_service::LoggerLayer;
 pub use testing_framework_config::nodes::node::create_node_config;
 use tracing::{debug, info};

-use super::{persist_tempdir, should_persist_tempdir};
+use super::{persist_tempdir, persist_tempdir_to, should_persist_tempdir};
 use crate::{
    IS_DEBUG_TRACING,
    nodes::{
@ -67,10 +67,20 @@ impl Deref for Node {

 impl Drop for Node {
    fn drop(&mut self) {
-        if should_persist_tempdir()
-            && let Err(e) = persist_tempdir(&mut self.handle.tempdir, "logos-blockchain-node")
-        {
-            debug!(error = ?e, "failed to persist node tempdir");
+        if should_persist_tempdir() {
+            if let Some(ref persist_dir) = self.handle.persist_dir {
+                if let Err(e) = persist_tempdir_to(
+                    &mut self.handle.tempdir,
+                    persist_dir,
+                    "logos-blockchain-node",
+                ) {
+                    debug!(error = ?e, persist_dir = %persist_dir.display(), "failed to persist node tempdir to custom directory");
+                }
+            } else {
+                if let Err(e) = persist_tempdir(&mut self.handle.tempdir, "logos-blockchain-node") {
+                    debug!(error = ?e, "failed to persist node tempdir");
+                }
+            }
        }

        debug!("stopping node process");
@ -96,7 +106,11 @@ impl Node {
        self.handle.wait_for_exit(timeout).await
    }

-    pub async fn spawn(config: RunConfig, label: &str) -> Result<Self, SpawnNodeError> {
+    pub async fn spawn(
+        config: RunConfig,
+        label: &str,
+        persist_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
+    ) -> Result<Self, SpawnNodeError> {
        let log_prefix = format!("{LOGS_PREFIX}-{label}");
        let handle = spawn_node(
            config,
@ -104,6 +118,7 @@ impl Node {
            "node.yaml",
            binary_path(),
            !*IS_DEBUG_TRACING,
+            persist_dir,
        )
        .await?;

--- a/testing-framework/core/src/scenario/capabilities.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/core/src/scenario/capabilities.rs
@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::sync::Arc;
+use std::{path::PathBuf, sync::Arc};

 use reqwest::Url;

@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ pub struct StartNodeOptions {
    pub peers: PeerSelection,
    /// Optional node config patch applied before spawn.
    pub config_patch: Option<NodeConfigPatch>,
+    /// Optional directory to persist node's tempdir to on stop.
+    pub persist_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
 }

 impl Default for StartNodeOptions {
@ -48,6 +50,7 @@ impl Default for StartNodeOptions {
        Self {
            peers: PeerSelection::DefaultLayout,
            config_patch: None,
+            persist_dir: None,
        }
    }
 }
--- a/testing-framework/core/src/topology/config.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/core/src/topology/config.rs
@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::{collections::HashMap, sync::Arc};
+use std::{collections::HashMap, path::PathBuf, sync::Arc};

 use nomos_core::{
    mantle::GenesisTx as _,
@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use testing_framework_config::topology::{
        base::{BaseConfigError, BaseConfigs, build_base_configs},
        consensus::{
            ConsensusConfigError, ConsensusParams, ProviderInfo,
-            create_genesis_tx_with_declarations,
+            create_genesis_tx_with_declarations, sync_utxos_with_genesis,
        },
        network::{Libp2pNetworkLayout, NetworkParams},
        tracing::create_tracing_configs,
@ -65,6 +65,7 @@ pub struct TopologyConfig {
    pub network_params: NetworkParams,
    pub wallet_config: WalletConfig,
    pub node_config_patches: HashMap<usize, NodeConfigPatch>,
+    pub persist_dirs: HashMap<usize, PathBuf>,
 }

 impl TopologyConfig {
@ -77,6 +78,7 @@ impl TopologyConfig {
            network_params: NetworkParams::default(),
            wallet_config: WalletConfig::default(),
            node_config_patches: HashMap::new(),
+            persist_dirs: HashMap::new(),
        }
    }

@ -89,6 +91,7 @@ impl TopologyConfig {
            network_params: NetworkParams::default(),
            wallet_config: WalletConfig::default(),
            node_config_patches: HashMap::new(),
+            persist_dirs: HashMap::new(),
        }
    }

@ -103,6 +106,7 @@ impl TopologyConfig {
            network_params: NetworkParams::default(),
            wallet_config: WalletConfig::default(),
            node_config_patches: HashMap::new(),
+            persist_dirs: HashMap::new(),
        }
    }

@ -121,6 +125,17 @@ impl TopologyConfig {
        self.node_config_patches.insert(index, patch);
        self
    }
+
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn persist_dir(&self, index: usize) -> Option<&PathBuf> {
+        self.persist_dirs.get(&index)
+    }
+
+    #[must_use]
+    pub fn with_persist_dir(mut self, index: usize, dir: PathBuf) -> Self {
+        self.persist_dirs.insert(index, dir);
+        self
+    }
 }

 /// Builder that produces `GeneratedTopology` instances from a `TopologyConfig`.
@ -163,6 +178,13 @@ impl TopologyBuilder {
        self
    }

+    #[must_use]
+    /// Apply a persist dir for a specific node index.
+    pub fn with_persist_dir(mut self, index: usize, dir: PathBuf) -> Self {
+        self.config.persist_dirs.insert(index, dir);
+        self
+    }
+
    #[must_use]
    /// Set node counts.
    pub const fn with_node_count(mut self, nodes: usize) -> Self {
@ -240,6 +262,7 @@ impl TopologyBuilder {
            &kms_configs,
            &time_config,
            &config.node_config_patches,
+            &config.persist_dirs,
        )?;

        Ok(GeneratedTopology { config, nodes })
@ -310,10 +333,7 @@ fn apply_consensus_genesis_tx(
 ) -> Result<(), TopologyBuildError> {
    for c in consensus_configs {
        c.genesis_tx = genesis_tx.clone();
-        testing_framework_config::topology::configs::consensus::sync_utxos_with_genesis(
-            &mut c.utxos,
-            genesis_tx,
-        )?;
+        sync_utxos_with_genesis(&mut c.utxos, genesis_tx)?;
    }
    Ok(())
 }
@ -333,6 +353,7 @@ fn build_node_descriptors(
    kms_configs: &[key_management_system_service::backend::preload::PreloadKMSBackendSettings],
    time_config: &testing_framework_config::topology::configs::time::GeneralTimeConfig,
    node_config_patches: &HashMap<usize, NodeConfigPatch>,
+    persist_dirs: &HashMap<usize, PathBuf>,
 ) -> Result<Vec<GeneratedNodeConfig>, TopologyBuildError> {
    let mut nodes = Vec::with_capacity(config.n_nodes);

@ -367,6 +388,7 @@ fn build_node_descriptors(
            general,
            blend_port,
            config_patch: node_config_patches.get(&i).cloned(),
+            persist_dir: persist_dirs.get(&i).cloned(),
        };

        nodes.push(descriptor);
--- a/testing-framework/core/src/topology/generation.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/core/src/topology/generation.rs
@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-use std::{collections::HashSet, time::Duration};
+use std::{collections::HashSet, path::PathBuf, time::Duration};

 use reqwest::{Client, Url};

@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ pub struct GeneratedNodeConfig {
    pub general: GeneralConfig,
    pub blend_port: u16,
    pub config_patch: Option<NodeConfigPatch>,
+    pub persist_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
 }

 impl GeneratedNodeConfig {
--- a/testing-framework/deployers/compose/src/descriptor/mod.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/deployers/compose/src/descriptor/mod.rs
@ -119,12 +119,10 @@ fn default_extra_hosts() -> Vec<String> {
 }

 fn base_environment(cfgsync_port: u16) -> Vec<EnvEntry> {
-    let pol_mode = tf_env::pol_proof_dev_mode().unwrap_or_else(|| "true".to_string());
    let rust_log = tf_env::rust_log().unwrap_or_else(|| "info".to_string());
    let nomos_log_level = tf_env::nomos_log_level().unwrap_or_else(|| "info".to_string());
    let time_backend = tf_env::nomos_time_backend().unwrap_or_else(|| "monotonic".into());
    vec![
-        EnvEntry::new("POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE", pol_mode),
        EnvEntry::new("RUST_LOG", rust_log),
        EnvEntry::new("LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_LOG_LEVEL", nomos_log_level),
        EnvEntry::new("LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TIME_BACKEND", time_backend),
--- a/testing-framework/deployers/k8s/src/infrastructure/assets.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/deployers/k8s/src/infrastructure/assets.rs
@ -291,11 +291,9 @@ fn build_values(topology: &GeneratedTopology) -> HelmValues {
    let cfgsync = CfgsyncValues {
        port: cfgsync_port(),
    };
-    let pol_mode = pol_proof_mode();
    let image_pull_policy =
        tf_env::nomos_testnet_image_pull_policy().unwrap_or_else(|| "IfNotPresent".into());
-    debug!(pol_mode, "rendering Helm values for k8s stack");
-    let nodes = build_node_group("node", topology.nodes(), &pol_mode);
+    let nodes = build_node_group("node", topology.nodes());

    HelmValues {
        image_pull_policy,
@ -307,12 +305,11 @@ fn build_values(topology: &GeneratedTopology) -> HelmValues {
 fn build_node_group(
    kind: &'static str,
    nodes: &[testing_framework_core::topology::generation::GeneratedNodeConfig],
-    pol_mode: &str,
 ) -> NodeGroup {
    let node_values = nodes
        .iter()
        .enumerate()
-        .map(|(index, node)| build_node_values(kind, index, node, pol_mode))
+        .map(|(index, node)| build_node_values(kind, index, node))
        .collect();

    NodeGroup {
@ -325,10 +322,8 @@ fn build_node_values(
    kind: &'static str,
    index: usize,
    node: &testing_framework_core::topology::generation::GeneratedNodeConfig,
-    pol_mode: &str,
 ) -> NodeValues {
    let mut env = BTreeMap::new();
-    env.insert("POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE".into(), pol_mode.to_string());
    env.insert("CFG_NETWORK_PORT".into(), node.network_port().to_string());
    env.insert("CFG_BLEND_PORT".into(), node.blend_port.to_string());
    env.insert(
@ -352,7 +347,3 @@ fn build_node_values(
        env,
    }
 }
-
-fn pol_proof_mode() -> String {
-    tf_env::pol_proof_dev_mode().unwrap_or_else(|| "true".to_string())
-}
--- a/testing-framework/deployers/local/src/node_control/mod.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/deployers/local/src/node_control/mod.rs
@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ impl LocalNodeManager {
        for node in descriptors.nodes() {
            let label = Self::default_label(node.index());
            let config = create_node_config(node.general.clone());
-            let spawned = Node::spawn(config, &label).await?;
+            let spawned = Node::spawn(config, &label, node.persist_dir.clone()).await?;
            nodes.push(spawned);
        }

@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ impl LocalNodeManager {
        )?;

        let api_client = self
-            .spawn_and_register_node(&node_name, network_port, config)
+            .spawn_and_register_node(&node_name, network_port, config, options.persist_dir)
            .await?;

        Ok(StartedNode {
@ -428,8 +428,9 @@ impl LocalNodeManager {
        node_name: &str,
        network_port: u16,
        config: RunConfig,
+        persist_dir: Option<std::path::PathBuf>,
    ) -> Result<ApiClient, LocalNodeManagerError> {
-        let node = Node::spawn(config, node_name)
+        let node = Node::spawn(config, node_name, persist_dir)
            .await
            .map_err(|source| LocalNodeManagerError::Spawn { source })?;
        let client = node.api().clone();
--- a/testing-framework/env/src/lib.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/env/src/lib.rs
@ -52,11 +52,6 @@ pub fn nomos_testnet_image_pull_policy() -> Option<String> {
    env::var("LOGOS_BLOCKCHAIN_TESTNET_IMAGE_PULL_POLICY").ok()
 }

-#[must_use]
-pub fn pol_proof_dev_mode() -> Option<String> {
-    env::var("POL_PROOF_DEV_MODE").ok()
-}
-
 #[must_use]
 pub fn rust_log() -> Option<String> {
    env::var("RUST_LOG").ok()
--- a/testing-framework/workflows/src/expectations/consensus_liveness.rs
+++ b/testing-framework/workflows/src/expectations/consensus_liveness.rs
@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ impl Default for ConsensusLiveness {
 }

 const LAG_ALLOWANCE: u64 = 2;
-const MIN_PROGRESS_BLOCKS: u64 = 5;
+const MIN_PROGRESS_BLOCKS: u64 = 3;
 const REQUEST_RETRIES: usize = 15;
 const REQUEST_RETRY_DELAY: Duration = Duration::from_secs(2);
 const MAX_LAG_ALLOWANCE: u64 = 5;
@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ enum ConsensusLivenessIssue {

 #[derive(Debug, Error)]
 enum ConsensusLivenessError {
-    #[error("consensus liveness requires at least one node")]
+    #[error("consensus liveness requires at least one validator")]
    MissingParticipants,
    #[error("consensus liveness violated (target={target}):\n{details}")]
    Violations {