# Add a node

> Add a proxy as a node in Merca: enable System proxy, enter the provider's connection details, and check the IP before saving it.

Source: https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/import-node

Merca calls a configured proxy a **node**. Buy a proxy from your chosen provider, then add its connection details as a node. Merca doesn't sell proxy services. Check the node in the desktop app. Only the owner or an admin can add nodes.

## Turn on System proxy

Turn on **System proxy** in the third-party software. The purchase page and node check both use this computer's system proxy. Listening on a local port is not enough.

![Turn on System proxy in the third-party app](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/import-node-system-proxy.webp)

## Buy a node

Which type and which country: [How to tell node types apart](https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/node-types) and [Which country should I buy a node in](https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/node-country). Whether an IP is clean: [What is node contamination](https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/node-contamination).

1. Open the Merca desktop app, sign in, and go to **Nodes**.
2. Click **Buy a node** at the top right.

![Buy a node on the Nodes page](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/import-node-buy-button.webp)

The [Network providers](https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/proxies) page opens in your system browser.

![Network providers page in the system browser](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/import-node-buy-page.webp)

For complete purchase and setup walkthroughs, see [Thordata proxy integration](https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/thordata), [IPRoyal proxy integration](https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/iproyal), and [IPFoxy proxy integration](https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/ipfoxy). Provider-specific guides are listed under **Proxy integrations** in the documentation sidebar.

## Buy an IP from Bright Data

This example uses [Bright Data](https://get.brightdata.com/merca). Other providers work the same way: buy, then paste the connection details into a node.

Choose a **static residential** IP. Keep one lasting IP per store.

![Choose a static residential IP on Bright Data](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/import-node-brightdata-buy.webp)

After checkout, copy the **host**, **port**, **username**, and **password**. The protocol is usually HTTP or SOCKS5.

![Connection details in the Bright Data dashboard](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/import-node-brightdata-credentials.webp)

## Add the node

Back in Merca, stay on **Nodes**.

Click **Add node** at the top right.

![Add node on the Nodes page](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/import-node-add-button.webp)

Enter **Protocol**, **Address**, **Port**, **Username**, and **Password**. If the provider gave a curl command, paste it into **Paste details** and click **Fill in**.

Label is optional.

![Add node form](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/import-node-add-form.webp)

## Check the node

Click **Check node**. When it succeeds, you'll see the country/region and IP.

![Country/region and IP after a successful check](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/import-node-detect.webp)

If the check fails, make sure **System proxy** is still on in the third-party software, then recheck the host, port, and credentials.

## Done

After a successful check, click **Add node**. The node appears in the list. You can then assign stores to it. For how the store window uses **System proxy** as the local proxy, see [How the proxy chain works](https://merca.getchrovia.com/en/docs/proxy-chain).

![The new node in the list](https://merca.getchrovia.com/docs/screenshots/import-node-done.webp)