> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.old-faithful.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.old-faithful.net/usage/validation/sharp-edges.md). # Sharp Edges ## Early Epochs ### Protobuf Decoding Sometime around epoch 157 the `solana-validator` warehousing process changed from `bincode` to `protobuf`. Because this was not an on-chain feature activation and only an internal change, there is no discreet slot boundary where you can expect this transition to occur. It instead relies on when the warehousing process was upgraded to the version that switched to protocol buffers. The [OF1](/running-old-faithful/sourcing-data/of1.md) files have this transition at **epoch 157** but this can/will be different for other warehousing systems. ### No Transaction Metadata Some early epochs contain transactions without these transactions were warehoused by the validator without metadata and thus do not have any associated with them in the Old Faithful archives. You should not see this occur on epochs above 157. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.old-faithful.net/usage/validation/sharp-edges.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.