Understanding Proxies
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Video GuideWhat are proxies?Proxy types explainedWhich type should I use?How many proxies do I need?Add and use proxies in Stellar AIO 4.0Common beginner mistakes and fixesOptional proxy providerUnderstand proxy types, plan your task count, and add and use proxies in Stellar AIO 4.0.
Video Guide
Stellar AIO 4.0 note: The video above may show an older interface. Use the written steps below and the linked Proxies tab guide for the current setup.
What are proxies?
A proxy routes a connection from Stellar through another server before it reaches a retailer. The retailer sees the proxy’s IP address for that connection instead of your computer or server’s public IP address.
Proxies help distribute connections when you run multiple tasks. They do not guarantee that a retailer will accept a connection, prevent every block, or complete a checkout. Accounts, task settings and retailer requirements still matter.
Proxy types explained
ISP proxies
ISP proxies typically use IP addresses registered to an internet service provider and hosted on server infrastructure. They are usually sold as a fixed number of static IPs, meaning the addresses stay the same until the provider changes them.
They can be useful for monitoring, longer runs and setups that need a consistent connection. They are often fast, but performance and retailer compatibility depend on the provider and the individual IPs. A static IP can still be blocked.
Residential proxies (resi)
Residential proxies route traffic through residential internet connections. Many plans charge for data usage in gigabytes (GB). Your provider may offer rotating connections, which change IPs, or sticky sessions, which try to keep an IP for a period of time.
They can be useful for checkout or queue setups when the retailer guide recommends them. Check the required session settings before generating your list. Changing an IP during a session is not always desirable.
Running tasks, repeated retries and proxy tests can use your data allowance. Generating 100 proxy entries does not guarantee 100 different exit IPs, and it does not give you unlimited task capacity. Check your provider’s data, connection and session limits.
Datacenter proxies (DC)
Datacenter proxies use IP addresses from hosting infrastructure. They are often fast and relatively inexpensive, but some retailers restrict them more heavily. Use them only where the retailer guide and your provider indicate they are suitable.
Which type should I use?
Start with the guide for the retailer and task mode you want to run. ISP proxies can suit monitoring or consistent connections; residential proxies can suit checkout or queues. These are general uses, not rules that apply to every retailer.
A mix of ISP and residential proxies can help balance connection stability and data costs. Keep groups separate by provider or purpose so you can identify and troubleshoot them. Only use separate monitor and checkout groups where the task setup offers those fields.
How many proxies do I need?
A proxy-to-task ratio compares the number of proxies with the number of tasks using them. A 1:1 ratio means one proxy per task; a 2:1 ratio means two proxies per task.
- 1:1 starting point: 25 proxies for 25 tasks.
- 2:1 starting point: 50 proxies for 25 tasks, or 100 proxies for 50 tasks.
Use at least 1:1 as a general planning starting point, with 2:1 or more providing additional proxies to work with. Follow the retailer guide if it recommends a different setup. These ratios are not guaranteed safe limits and do not mean each task will automatically rotate through a fixed pair of proxies.
Count tasks across all groups sharing the same proxies. Copying the same 25 entries into two groups does not give you 50 unique proxies. Start with a small number of tasks, watch the results, then increase gradually.
For residential plans, also watch the provider’s data balance and connection limits. There is no fixed number of tasks or checkouts that a given number of GB will support: usage depends on the site, task mode, retries and how long you run.
Add and use proxies in Stellar AIO 4.0
A proxy group is a named list saved in Stellar. Creating the group does not automatically assign it to your tasks.
- Open Proxies in the sidebar.
- Select + beside PROXY GROUPS, enter a recognizable Group Name, and select Add.
- Select that group, then open Manage Proxies.
- Paste your provider’s list into Proxy list, with one complete proxy per line, and select Save.
The supported format is IP:PORT:USERNAME:PASSWORD. Include all four parts from your provider. For example:
192.0.2.10:8000:example_user:example_password
192.0.2.11:8000:example_user:example_password
These are made-up examples and will not connect. Copy your actual entries from your provider; do not paste the example values.
Saving replaces the group’s entire list with what is in the box. To add more proxies, keep the existing entries you want and put new entries on additional lines. Keep a private copy of your original list.
- Choose the intended retailer in Select/Enter URL, then select Test All.
- Review Working, Failed and Untested. A passing test checks connectivity at that time; it does not guarantee checkout success.
- Open Tasks and select this proxy group in the appropriate proxy field for your task. Follow the retailer guide for any separate monitor, checkout or harvester proxy settings.
For the full walkthrough and more screenshots, see Proxies Tab
Common beginner mistakes and fixes
- Saved proxies, but tasks still have connection errors: Check which proxy group is selected in the task. Naming a group after a retailer does not assign it automatically.
- Every test fails: Confirm all four parts of each entry, your plan’s expiry date and any remaining data. Test the intended retailer and check with your provider if failures continue.
- Works on one site but not another: Compatibility can differ by retailer. A successful test against one destination does not validate every site.
- Residential data is disappearing quickly: Review how many tasks are running, how long they run and whether they repeatedly retry. Stop unnecessary tasks and check usage in your provider’s dashboard.
- More tasks are making results worse: Reduce the task count and review the retailer’s recommended delays and proxy setup. More tasks do not automatically mean better results.
- Unexpectedly slow or failed test: Retest a smaller number before removing entries. Large simultaneous tests can affect the readings.
If you need help, share the retailer, task mode and exact error with Stellar support. Keep proxy usernames, passwords and full proxy lists out of public messages and screenshots.
Optional proxy provider
Stella Proxies offers ISP and residential proxies and is one provider option. Check the retailer’s requirements and the provider’s current plans before purchasing. You can also use another compatible provider. Ask your cook group or Stellar support for guidance on your intended retailer before buying a large plan. For Stella Proxies support and announcements, visit the Stella Proxies Discord.