Rotation // routine, not a crisis
How Mirror Rotation Works Here
Mirrors are not permanent fixtures. The .onion addresses currently listed will eventually change, which confuses newcomers used to static links. This shift is a routine operational procedure, not a sign of instability. When an address rotates, the market moves to a fresh coordinate on the network.
How often it happens
Rotation occurs when the administration decides it is necessary. Historically, this happens a few times a year rather than on a fixed schedule. There is no predictable calendar. It depends on operational needs at the time.
You should expect these changes rather than fearing them. The mechanism exists to keep the infrastructure agile. By rotating coordinates, the operators can shed stale connections and manage traffic flow more effectively. Your saved bookmarks will break until you update them with the new data.
Why the market rotates at all
Keeping a single address active forever makes it a stationary target. Adversaries can map traffic patterns or attempt to overload specific nodes. Spreading load across fresh addresses helps distribute the strain.
It also allows the team to retire compromised or slow addresses quietly. If one node becomes sluggish or suspicious, swapping it out prevents issues from spreading. The rotation keeps the overall network healthy by removing weak points.
The grace window
After a rotation, the old address typically remains functional for a short grace window. This gives users time to notice the change and update their records. Eventually, the legacy link is retired completely. Plan your visits during this overlap period.
A real rotation, and what is not one
A genuine rotation is always announced via a newly signed list from the admins.
The authentic rotation process retains the exact same PGP fingerprint and key pair.
A single changed character without a corresponding signature update is not a valid rotation.
A page layout that differs slightly from the standard interface is likely not the market.
If your bookmark stops resolving
- 01
Do not panic
If your saved link suddenly fails to resolve, do not panic. This is a standard part of the mirror lifecycle.
- 02
Return to a trusted source
Go back to a source you already trust: the last PGP-signed list you saved, or the current list on this site.
- 03
Pull the current signed list
Retrieve the most recent signed mirror list from that trusted location.
- 04
Update and re-verify
Compare the new address against your old one and update your bookmark. It takes a few minutes.