# Define the collator's address

You can manually define the collator's address by specifying a custom key pair when starting the node. This is done by providing the node with a key file or directly specifying the keys using CLI options.<br>

* **Using a Key File**: You can generate your key pair using the Substrate CLI or another tool and store it in a file. When you start the collator, you can instruct the node to use this key:<br>

  ```bash
  bashCopy code./target/release/parachain-magnet-node --collator --chain raw-magnet-2000.json --base-path ./alice --node-key <path-to-your-node-key-file>
  ```

  \
  The key file contains your private key, from which the public address is derived. This way, you can control which address your collator uses.<br>
* **Specifying a Seed Phrase**: Alternatively, you can specify the key using a seed phrase directly in the CLI:<br>

  ```bash
  bashCopy code./target/release/parachain-magnet-node --collator --chain raw-magnet-2000.json --base-path ./alice --node-key <seed-phrase>
  ```

  \
  This will generate the same address every time you use the same seed phrase.