Self-select mining (advanced)
Self-select mining is an advanced mode where your miner fetches block templates from a Monero daemon you choose (typically your own), instead of relying on the pool as the template source.
Why miners use self-select
- Template choice: you choose which daemon your miner trusts for block templates.
- More control: advanced users may prefer using their own node policies for template building.
What does not change
- You still connect to the pool and submit shares normally.
- Payouts are still PPLNS, and pool fees still apply.
Requirements
- A reliable, fully synced Monero daemon (RPC) you can reach from your miner.
- Low latency to your daemon; otherwise you may see more stale shares.
How to configure XMRig
In XMRig, self-select is configured by passing a daemon URL for template fetching.
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Command line:
xmrig -o pool.xmr.pw:4343 --tls -u YOUR_XMR_ADDRESS -p x --self-select=http://127.0.0.1:18081 -
Config file (pool entry):
"self-select": "http://127.0.0.1:18081"
Tip: XMRig also supports --submit-to-origin for specific advanced workflows. Only use it if you understand the implications.
Common pitfalls
- Daemon not synced: leads to bad templates and more rejected/stale shares.
- RPC instability: any template fetch failures will hurt effective hashrate.
- Higher latency: increases stale shares, especially on high-hashrate setups.