Running Bisq on Tails

Overview

Unlike most operating systems, Tails runs entirely in memory. When Tails shuts down, memory contents are deleted, restoring the OS to its original state. Only files saved to the Persistent Storage survive a reboot.

Therefore, Bisq must be reinstalled (and configured) after every boot. More importantly, Bisq's default data directory must be relocated to the Persistent Storage so that your wallet, keys, etc. are not lost every time Tails shuts down.

This is easy to automate with an installation script.

Preparations

Configure Tails

On the Tails Welcome Screen:

• Set up an administration password.
• Create Persistent Storage.

Once Persistent Storage has been created, a settings window will open automatically. You can also open it from the desktop menu: Applications > Tails > Persistent Storage.

• Enable the Persistent Folder in the above settings.

Configure the Persistent Folder

• Create a directory to store the Bisq installer (and installation script):

mkdir /home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/

• Create a persistent data directory for your Bisq user data:

mkdir /home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/Bisq/

Import user data from backup

WARNING: Ensure that the persistent data directory is EMPTY before importing. Do NOT mix user data from different sessions.

If you wish to import user data from a previous Bisq installation or backup, copy it into the persistent data directory:

• cp -ra /[backupdirectory]/bisq_backup_version001/. /home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/Bisq/

N.B. The correct path to your btc_mainnet directory should now be:

/home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/Bisq/btc_mainnet

Download Bisq

• Download and verify the Debian (.deb) version of the Bisq installer.
• Move the installer file to the Bisq installer directory:

mv /path/to/[yourdownload.deb] /home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/

Create installation script

NOTE: The script below will install Bisq, configure Tor, and redirect user data to the persistent data directory (by creating a 'symbolic link'). Every step in the script is explained via 'echo' commands.

• Create a new script file:

touch /home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/install-bisq.sh

• Make the file executable:

chmod +x /home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/install-bisq.sh

• Edit the file, and save the script below.
• On the second line, replace [yourdownload.deb] with the filename of the Bisq installer you downloaded.

#!/bin/bash
BisqInstaller=/home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/[yourdownload.deb]
DataDirectory=/home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/Bisq

echo "Install Bisq ..."
dpkg -i $BisqInstaller
echo "Change access rights of /var/run/tor/control.authcookie ..."
chmod o+r /var/run/tor/control.authcookie
echo "Create /etc/onion-grater.d/bisq.yml ..."
echo "---
- apparmor-profiles:
    - '/opt/bisq/bin/Bisq'
  users:
    - 'amnesia'
  commands:
    AUTHCHALLENGE:
      - 'SAFECOOKIE .*'
    SETEVENTS:
      - 'CIRC WARN ERR'
      - 'CIRC ORCONN INFO NOTICE WARN ERR HS_DESC HS_DESC_CONTENT'
    GETINFO:
      - 'net/listeners/socks'
    ADD_ONION:
      - pattern:     'NEW:(\S+) Port=9999,(\S+)'
        replacement: 'NEW:{} Port=9999,{client-address}:{}'
      - pattern:     '(\S+):(\S+) Port=9999,(\S+)'
        replacement: '{}:{} Port=9999,{client-address}:{}'
    DEL_ONION:
      - '.+'
    HSFETCH:
      - '.+'
  events:
    CIRC:
      suppress: true
    ORCONN:
      suppress: true
    INFO:
      suppress: true
    NOTICE:
      suppress: true
    WARN:
      suppress: true
    ERR:
      suppress: true
    HS_DESC:
      response:
        - pattern:     '650 HS_DESC CREATED (\S+) (\S+) (\S+) \S+ (.+)'
          replacement: '650 HS_DESC CREATED {} {} {} redacted {}'
        - pattern:     '650 HS_DESC UPLOAD (\S+) (\S+) .*'
          replacement: '650 HS_DESC UPLOAD {} {} redacted redacted'
        - pattern:     '650 HS_DESC UPLOADED (\S+) (\S+) .+'
          replacement: '650 HS_DESC UPLOADED {} {} redacted'
        - pattern:     '650 HS_DESC REQUESTED (\S+) NO_AUTH'
          replacement: '650 HS_DESC REQUESTED {} NO_AUTH'
        - pattern:     '650 HS_DESC REQUESTED (\S+) NO_AUTH \S+ \S+'
          replacement: '650 HS_DESC REQUESTED {} NO_AUTH redacted redacted'
        - pattern:     '650 HS_DESC RECEIVED (\S+) NO_AUTH \S+ \S+'
          replacement: '650 HS_DESC RECEIVED {} NO_AUTH redacted redacted'
        - pattern:     '.*'
          replacement: ''
    HS_DESC_CONTENT:
      suppress: true" > /etc/onion-grater.d/bisq.yml
echo "Restart onion-grater service ..."
systemctl restart onion-grater.service
echo "Edit Bisq executable file ..."
sed -i 's+Exec=/opt/bisq/bin/Bisq+Exec=/opt/bisq/bin/Bisq --torControlPort 951 --torControlCookieFile=/var/run/tor/control.authcookie --torControlUseSafeCookieAuth+' /usr/share/applications/bisq-Bisq.desktop
echo "Redirect user data to Tails Persistent Storage ..."
ln -s $DataDirectory /home/amnesia/.local/share/Bisq
echo "Installation complete."

Run Bisq

NOTE: Your user data is safely stored in the persistent data directory. However, the Bisq application is 'uninstalled' every time Tails shuts down.

To install Bisq:

• Connect to the Tor network, via the desktop menu:

Applications > Internet > Tor Connection

• Run the installation script:

sudo sh /home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/install-bisq.sh

Once Bisq has been installed, you can either start it from the desktop menu:

• Applications > Internet > Bisq

Or via terminal:

• /opt/bisq/bin/Bisq --torControlPort 951 --torControlCookieFile=/var/run/tor/control.authcookie --torControlUseSafeCookieAuth

Maintenance

Backup user data

While Bisq is running

You can backup while Bisq is running, as normal.

While Bisq is closed

You can also backup while Bisq is closed, by copying your user data to a backup location. However:

REMEMBER: Your user data is stored in the persistent data directory, and NOT Bisq's default data directory. WARNING: Only backup data into an EMPTY directory. Do NOT mix user data from different sessions.

To backup, first create a new (empty) directory for the backup, then copy the persistent data directory. For example:

• mkdir /[backupdirectory]/bisq_backup_version001
• cp -ra /home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/Bisq/. /[backupdirectory]/bisq_backup_version001

Upgrade Bisq to the latest version

WARNING: Do not downgrade Bisq. Installing an older version could cause irreversible damage to Bisq data. NOTE: Before upgrading, it is recommended to backup your user data.

To upgrade Bisq:

• Download Bisq to /home/amnesia/Persistent/bisq/
• Update the BisqInstaller= line of the installation script with the filename of the new version.