diff --git a/examples/README.md b/examples/README.md
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+# AITBC Configuration Examples
+
+This directory contains example configuration files for setting up AITBC nodes in various scenarios.
+
+## Quick Start for Open Island
+
+To quickly join the hub.aitbc.bubuit.net open island:
+
+```bash
+# Copy the pre-configured open island examples
+sudo cp /opt/aitbc/examples/blockchain.env.open-island /etc/aitbc/blockchain.env
+sudo cp /opt/aitbc/examples/node.env.open-island /etc/aitbc/node.env
+
+# Start services
+sudo systemctl start aitbc-blockchain-node aitbc-blockchain-p2p
+
+# Verify connection
+curl http://localhost:8006/health
+```
+
+For detailed instructions, see: [Open Island Joining Guide](../docs/hermes/guides/open-island-joining-guide.md)
+
+## Configuration Files
+
+### blockchain.env.open-island
+Pre-configured blockchain environment file for joining the hub.aitbc.bubuit.net open island.
+
+**Use case:** Quick setup for nodes joining the open test island.
+
+**Key settings:**
+- Chain ID: `ait-hub.aitbc.bubuit.net`
+- P2P peers: `hub.aitbc.bubuit.net:8001`
+- Block production: disabled (follower node)
+- RPC port: 8006
+- P2P port: 8001
+
+**Setup:**
+```bash
+sudo cp /opt/aitbc/examples/blockchain.env.open-island /etc/aitbc/blockchain.env
+```
+
+### node.env.open-island
+Pre-configured node environment file for joining the hub.aitbc.bubuit.net open island.
+
+**Use case:** Node-specific configuration for open island nodes.
+
+**Key settings:**
+- Island ID: `ait-hub.aitbc.bubuit.net-island`
+- Node role: follower
+- P2P bind port: 8001
+
+**Setup:**
+```bash
+sudo cp /opt/aitbc/examples/node.env.open-island /etc/aitbc/node.env
+```
+
+### blockchain.env.example
+General blockchain environment template for custom deployments.
+
+**Use case:** Custom blockchain deployments with specific requirements.
+
+**Setup:**
+```bash
+sudo cp /opt/aitbc/examples/blockchain.env.example /etc/aitbc/blockchain.env
+# Edit /etc/aitbc/blockchain.env with your custom settings
+```
+
+### node.env.example
+General node environment template for custom deployments.
+
+**Use case:** Custom node configurations with specific requirements.
+
+**Setup:**
+```bash
+sudo cp /opt/aitbc/examples/node.env.example /etc/aitbc/node.env
+# Edit /etc/aitbc/node.env with your custom settings
+```
+
+### .env.example
+Legacy environment file template (deprecated).
+
+**Note:** AITBC now uses `blockchain.env` and `node.env` instead of `.env`. This file is kept for reference only.
+
+### deploy.env.example
+Deployment-specific environment template.
+
+**Use case:** Production deployment configurations.
+
+## Configuration File Structure
+
+AITBC uses two main configuration files:
+
+### /etc/aitbc/blockchain.env
+Contains blockchain-specific environment variables:
+- Chain ID and network configuration
+- RPC and P2P binding settings
+- Database and Redis connections
+- Block production settings
+- Gossip and sync configuration
+
+### /etc/aitbc/node.env
+Contains node-specific environment variables:
+- Node ID and island ID
+- Node role (genesis/follower)
+- P2P port configuration
+- Node-specific settings
+
+**Important:** AITBC does NOT use `/etc/aitbc/.env`. All configuration should be in `blockchain.env` and `node.env`.
+
+## Open Island Configuration
+
+The hub.aitbc.bubuit.net open island is a test environment for AITBC software. Any agent can join this island to test blockchain functionality, P2P networking, and hermes agent coordination.
+
+**Hub Details:**
+- Host: hub.aitbc.bubuit.net (95.216.198.140)
+- Chain ID: `ait-hub.aitbc.bubuit.net`
+- Island ID: `ait-hub.aitbc.bubuit.net-island`
+- P2P Port: 8001
+- RPC Port: 8006
+- Access: Open - no authentication required
+
+**Quick Setup:**
+```bash
+# Clone repository
+git clone https://gitea.bubuit.net/oib/aitbc.git /opt/aitbc
+cd /opt/aitbc
+
+# Install dependencies
+python3 -m venv venv
+source venv/bin/activate
+pip install -e cli/
+pip install -e apps/blockchain-node/
+
+# Copy open island configuration
+sudo cp examples/blockchain.env.open-island /etc/aitbc/blockchain.env
+sudo cp examples/node.env.open-island /etc/aitbc/node.env
+
+# Create keystore
+sudo mkdir -p /var/lib/aitbc/keystore
+echo 'test123' | sudo tee /var/lib/aitbc/keystore/.password
+sudo chmod 600 /var/lib/aitbc/keystore/.password
+
+# Start services
+sudo systemctl start aitbc-blockchain-node aitbc-blockchain-p2p
+
+# Verify
+curl http://localhost:8006/health
+```
+
+## Documentation
+
+- [Open Island Joining Guide](../docs/hermes/guides/open-island-joining-guide.md) - Complete guide for joining the open island
+- [hermes Agent Guide](../docs/hermes/guides/hermes-open-island-guide.md) - hermes-specific instructions for agents
+- [Setup Documentation](../docs/deployment/SETUP.md) - General AITBC setup guide
+- [Configuration Files](../docs/deployment/SETUP.md#configuration-files) - Detailed configuration file documentation
+
+## Security Notes
+
+- **Test Environment:** The open island is for testing only. Do not use for production.
+- **No Real Assets:** Use test wallets only. No real assets should be used.
+- **Public Transactions:** All transactions on the open island are public.
+- **Authentication:** No authentication required for joining the open island.
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Connection Issues
+```bash
+# Test P2P connectivity
+nc -zv hub.aitbc.bubuit.net 8001
+
+# Test RPC connectivity
+curl http://hub.aitbc.bubuit.net:8006/health
+```
+
+### Sync Issues
+```bash
+# Check sync status
+curl http://localhost:8006/rpc/head
+curl http://hub.aitbc.bubuit.net:8006/rpc/head
+
+# Force sync
+curl -X POST http://localhost:8006/rpc/sync \
+  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
+  -d '{"peer":"hub.aitbc.bubuit.net:8006"}'
+```
+
+### Service Issues
+```bash
+# Check service status
+sudo systemctl status aitbc-blockchain-node
+sudo systemctl status aitbc-blockchain-p2p
+
+# View logs
+sudo journalctl -u aitbc-blockchain-node -f
+sudo journalctl -u aitbc-blockchain-p2p -f
+```
+
+## Support
+
+- **Documentation:** `/opt/aitbc/docs/`
+- **Issues:** https://gitea.bubuit.net/oib/aitbc
+- **Community:** Join AITBC development discussions
+
+---
+
+**Last Updated:** 2026-05-26
diff --git a/examples/blockchain.env.open-island b/examples/blockchain.env.open-island
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+# AITBC Blockchain Configuration for Open Island - hub.aitbc.bubuit.net
+# Copy this file to /etc/aitbc/blockchain.env to join the open island
+# This configuration is pre-configured for the hub.aitbc.bubuit.net open island
+
+# =========================
+# Chain Configuration
+# =========================
+# Chain ID for the open island
+CHAIN_ID=ait-hub.aitbc.bubuit.net
+SUPPORTED_CHAINS=ait-hub.aitbc.bubuit.net
+
+# =========================
+# RPC Configuration
+# =========================
+# RPC binding settings
+RPC_BIND_HOST=0.0.0.0
+RPC_BIND_PORT=8006
+
+# =========================
+# P2P Configuration
+# =========================
+# P2P binding settings
+p2p_bind_host=0.0.0.0
+p2p_bind_port=8001
+
+# P2P node identity (auto-generated, or set manually)
+p2p_node_id=node-$(cat /proc/sys/kernel/random/uuid | tr -d '-')
+
+# P2P peers - connect to the open island hub
+p2p_peers=hub.aitbc.bubuit.net:8001
+
+# Genesis node for sync
+genesis_node=hub.aitbc.bubuit.net:8006
+
+# =========================
+# Block Production
+# =========================
+# Set to false for follower nodes (recommended for open island)
+ENABLE_BLOCK_PRODUCTION=false
+
+# Block production chains (only if ENABLE_BLOCK_PRODUCTION=true)
+BLOCK_PRODUCTION_CHAINS=ait-hub.aitbc.bubuit.net
+
+# Proposer ID (only if ENABLE_BLOCK_PRODUCTION=true)
+# PROPOSER_ID=<your-proposer-id>
+
+# =========================
+# Gossip Configuration
+# =========================
+# Gossip backend
+gossip_backend=broadcast
+
+# Gossip broadcast URL (local Redis)
+GOSSIP_BROADCAST_URL=redis://127.0.0.1:6379
+
+# =========================
+# Database Configuration
+# =========================
+# Database path
+db_path=/var/lib/aitbc/data/ait-hub.aitbc.bubuit.net/chain.db
+
+# =========================
+# Keystore Configuration
+# =========================
+# Keystore path
+keystore_path=/var/lib/aitbc/keystore
+
+# Keystore password file
+keystore_password_file=/var/lib/aitbc/keystore/.password
+
+# =========================
+# Mempool Configuration
+# =========================
+# Mempool backend
+MEMPOOL_BACKEND=database
+
+# Mempool database URL (if using database backend)
+MEMPOOL_DB_URL=postgresql+psycopg2://aitbc_mempool:aitbc_mempool_password@localhost:5432/aitbc_mempool
+
+# =========================
+# Setup Instructions
+# =========================
+# 1. Copy this template: sudo cp /opt/aitbc/examples/blockchain.env.open-island /etc/aitbc/blockchain.env
+# 2. Generate unique p2p_node_id (optional, will be auto-generated if left as-is)
+# 3. Set ENABLE_BLOCK_PRODUCTION=true only if you want to be a proposer node
+# 4. Ensure Redis is running: sudo systemctl start redis
+# 5. Ensure PostgreSQL is running (if using database mempool): sudo systemctl start postgresql
+# 6. Restart services: sudo systemctl restart aitbc-blockchain-node aitbc-blockchain-p2p
+# 7. Verify connectivity: curl http://localhost:8006/health
+# 8. Sync with hub: curl -X POST http://localhost:8006/rpc/sync -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"peer":"hub.aitbc.bubuit.net:8006"}'
+
+# =========================
+# Additional Resources
+# =========================
+# Open Island Guide: /opt/aitbc/docs/hermes/guides/open-island-joining-guide.md
+# hermes Agent Guide: /opt/aitbc/docs/hermes/guides/hermes-open-island-guide.md
+# Setup Documentation: /opt/aitbc/docs/deployment/SETUP.md
diff --git a/examples/node.env.open-island b/examples/node.env.open-island
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+# AITBC Node Configuration for Open Island - hub.aitbc.bubuit.net
+# Copy this file to /etc/aitbc/node.env to join the open island
+# This configuration is pre-configured for the hub.aitbc.bubuit.net open island
+
+# =========================
+# Node Identity
+# =========================
+# Unique identifier for this node (must be different for each node)
+# Auto-generate a unique ID for your node
+NODE_ID=test-node-$(hostname)
+
+# =========================
+# Island Configuration
+# =========================
+# Island ID for the open island
+ISLAND_ID=ait-hub.aitbc.bubuit.net-island
+
+# Chain ID (must match blockchain.env)
+CHAIN_ID=ait-hub.aitbc.bubuit.net
+
+# =========================
+# Node Role
+# =========================
+# Node role: follower (recommended for open island nodes)
+# Set to 'genesis' only if you are running the genesis authority node
+NODE_ROLE=follower
+
+# =========================
+# P2P Configuration
+# =========================
+# P2P bind port (must match blockchain.env p2p_bind_port)
+P2P_BIND_PORT=8001
+
+# =========================
+# Setup Instructions
+# =========================
+# 1. Copy this template: sudo cp /opt/aitbc/examples/node.env.open-island /etc/aitbc/node.env
+# 2. Edit NODE_ID to be unique for your node (optional, uses hostname by default)
+# 3. Keep NODE_ROLE=follower unless you are running a genesis authority node
+# 4. Ensure P2P_BIND_PORT matches blockchain.env p2p_bind_port
+# 5. Restart services: sudo systemctl restart aitbc-blockchain-node aitbc-blockchain-p2p
+# 6. Verify node status: curl http://localhost:8006/rpc/info
+
+# =========================
+# Additional Resources
+# =========================
+# Open Island Guide: /opt/aitbc/docs/hermes/guides/open-island-joining-guide.md
+# hermes Agent Guide: /opt/aitbc/docs/hermes/guides/hermes-open-island-guide.md
+# Setup Documentation: /opt/aitbc/docs/deployment/SETUP.md