Validator Manager Contract

The contracts in the validator-manager branch define the Validator Manager used to manage Subnet-only Validators.

For this section we have blurred out some of the contracts, as these are not relevant to the Proof of Authority hierarchy used to create a permissioned L1:

Understanding Contract Hierarchy

The validator management system follows a layered architecture, with each level adding specific functionality:

ACP99Manager (Abstract Foundation)

The ACP99Manager is the foundational abstract contract that standardizes validator management for EVM-based L1s, as defined in ACP-99. This standard emerged after ACP-77 introduced the protocol-level capability for L1s to manage their own validators. ACP99Manager provides four essential functions that all validator managers must implement:

• initializeValidatorSet(): Establishes the initial validator set when converting an existing Subnet to an L1
• completeValidatorRegistration(): Finalizes validator addition after P-Chain confirmation
• completeValidatorRemoval(): Finalizes validator removal after P-Chain confirmation
• completeValidatorWeightUpdate(): Finalizes weight changes after P-Chain confirmation

These functions handle the critical interactions with the P-Chain through Warp messages, forming the backbone of cross-chain validator management.

ValidatorManager (Concrete Implementation)

The ValidatorManager extends ACP99Manager and adds the complete validator lifecycle management:

Core Additions:

• initiateValidatorRegistration() (onlyOwner): Starts the process of adding a new validator
• initiateValidatorRemoval() (onlyOwner): Begins removing a validator from the active set
• initiateValidatorWeightUpdate() (onlyOwner): Initiates changes to a validator's voting weight

Key Features:

• All state-changing functions are protected with onlyOwner modifier
• Implements the two-phase commit pattern: initiate → complete
• Manages churn rate limiting to prevent rapid validator set changes
• Tracks validator states throughout their lifecycle
• Handles Warp message construction and verification