diff --git a/.github/workflows/go.yaml b/.github/workflows/go.yaml
index 8e7b3d5c..67268712 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/go.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/go.yaml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v3
       - uses: actions/setup-go@v4
         with:
-          go-version: '>=1.20.2'
+          go-version: '>=1.21'
       - name: golangci-lint
         uses: golangci/golangci-lint-action@v3
         with:
@@ -29,6 +29,6 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v3
       - uses: actions/setup-go@v4
         with:
-          go-version: '>=1.20.2'
+          go-version: '>=1.21'
       - name: unit tests
         run: make test
diff --git a/.github/workflows/manifests.yaml b/.github/workflows/manifests.yaml
index fd96a968..30628482 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/manifests.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/manifests.yaml
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ jobs:
       - uses: actions/checkout@v3
       - uses: actions/setup-go@v4
         with:
-          go-version: '>=1.20.2'
+          go-version: '>=1.21'
       - run: make generate manifests
 
       - uses: CatChen/check-git-status-action@v1
diff --git a/api/v1/cosmosfullnode_types.go b/api/v1/cosmosfullnode_types.go
index a4c3f11d..c5ad6921 100644
--- a/api/v1/cosmosfullnode_types.go
+++ b/api/v1/cosmosfullnode_types.go
@@ -51,6 +51,14 @@ type FullNodeSpec struct {
 	// +optional
 	Type FullNodeType `json:"type"`
 
+	// Different kinds of chains supported by the operator
+	// 'Cosmos' configures the node using defaults for a Cosmos based chain
+	// 'Custom' configures the node with more flexible options that allow for support other chains
+	// If not set, defaults to Cosmos
+	// +kubebuilder:validation:Enum:=Cosmos;Custom
+	// +optional
+	ChainType ChainType `json:"chainType"`
+
 	// Blockchain-specific configuration.
 	ChainSpec ChainSpec `json:"chain"`
 
@@ -102,6 +110,13 @@ const (
 	Sentry   FullNodeType = "Sentry"
 )
 
+type ChainType string
+
+const (
+	Cosmos ChainType = "Cosmos"
+	Custom ChainType = "Custom"
+)
+
 // FullNodeStatus defines the observed state of CosmosFullNode
 type FullNodeStatus struct {
 	// INSERT ADDITIONAL STATUS FIELD - define observed state of cluster
@@ -450,6 +465,14 @@ type ChainSpec struct {
 	// +optional
 	LogFormat *string `json:"logFormat"`
 
+	// Specify shell (sh) script commands to initialize the chain
+	// +optional
+	InitScript *string `json:"initScript"`
+
+	// Specify shell (sh) script commands to start the chain
+	// +optional
+	StartScript *string `json:"startScript"`
+
 	// URL to address book file to download from the internet.
 	// The operator detects and properly handles the following file extensions:
 	// .json, .json.gz, .tar, .tar.gz, .tar.gzip, .zip
diff --git a/api/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go b/api/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
index f709859c..1ed1cfff 100644
--- a/api/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
+++ b/api/v1/zz_generated.deepcopy.go
@@ -63,6 +63,16 @@ func (in *ChainSpec) DeepCopyInto(out *ChainSpec) {
 		*out = new(string)
 		**out = **in
 	}
+	if in.InitScript != nil {
+		in, out := &in.InitScript, &out.InitScript
+		*out = new(string)
+		**out = **in
+	}
+	if in.StartScript != nil {
+		in, out := &in.StartScript, &out.StartScript
+		*out = new(string)
+		**out = **in
+	}
 	if in.AddrbookURL != nil {
 		in, out := &in.AddrbookURL, &out.AddrbookURL
 		*out = new(string)
diff --git a/config/crd/bases/cosmos.strange.love_cosmosfullnodes.yaml b/config/crd/bases/cosmos.strange.love_cosmosfullnodes.yaml
index 457e90d2..f31a8609 100644
--- a/config/crd/bases/cosmos.strange.love_cosmosfullnodes.yaml
+++ b/config/crd/bases/cosmos.strange.love_cosmosfullnodes.yaml
@@ -283,6 +283,10 @@ spec:
                       Therefore, this option was introduced to mitigate those edge cases, so that you can specify the home directory
                       to match the chain's default home dir.
                     type: string
+                  initScript:
+                    description: Specify shell (sh) script commands to initialize
+                      the chain
+                    type: string
                   logFormat:
                     description: |-
                       One of plain or json.
@@ -345,6 +349,9 @@ spec:
                       .tar, .tar.gz, .tar.gzip, .tar.lz4
                       Use SnapshotScript if the snapshot archive is unconventional or requires special handling.
                     type: string
+                  startScript:
+                    description: Specify shell (sh) script commands to start the chain
+                    type: string
                   versions:
                     description: |-
                       Versions of the chain and which height they should be applied.
@@ -376,6 +383,15 @@ spec:
                 - chainID
                 - network
                 type: object
+              chainType:
+                description: Different kinds of chains supported by the operator 'Cosmos'
+                  configures the node using defaults for a Cosmos based chain 'Custom'
+                  configures the node with more flexible options that allow for support
+                  other chains If not set, defaults to Cosmos
+                enum:
+                - Cosmos
+                - Custom
+                type: string
               instanceOverrides:
                 additionalProperties:
                   description: InstanceOverridesSpec allows overriding an instance
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/addrbook.go b/internal/fullnode/commands/addrbook.go
similarity index 98%
rename from internal/fullnode/addrbook.go
rename to internal/fullnode/commands/addrbook.go
index d1f94664..44a18ef4 100644
--- a/internal/fullnode/addrbook.go
+++ b/internal/fullnode/commands/addrbook.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package fullnode
+package commands
 
 import (
 	_ "embed"
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/addrbook_test.go b/internal/fullnode/commands/addrbook_test.go
similarity index 88%
rename from internal/fullnode/addrbook_test.go
rename to internal/fullnode/commands/addrbook_test.go
index 5ca8e783..c39c769f 100644
--- a/internal/fullnode/addrbook_test.go
+++ b/internal/fullnode/commands/addrbook_test.go
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
-package fullnode
+package commands
 
 import (
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/samber/lo"
 	cosmosv1 "github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/api/v1"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -33,7 +34,7 @@ func TestDownloadAddrbookCommand(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Run("download", func(t *testing.T) {
 		cfg := cosmosv1.ChainSpec{
-			AddrbookURL: ptr("https://example.com/addrbook.json"),
+			AddrbookURL: lo.ToPtr("https://example.com/addrbook.json"),
 		}
 		cmd, args := DownloadAddrbookCommand(cfg)
 		require.Equal(t, "sh", cmd)
@@ -53,8 +54,8 @@ func TestDownloadAddrbookCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("custom", func(t *testing.T) {
 		cfg := cosmosv1.ChainSpec{
 			// Keeping this to assert that custom script takes precedence.
-			AddrbookURL:    ptr("https://example.com/addrbook.json"),
-			AddrbookScript: ptr("echo hi"),
+			AddrbookURL:    lo.ToPtr("https://example.com/addrbook.json"),
+			AddrbookScript: lo.ToPtr("echo hi"),
 		}
 		cmd, args := DownloadAddrbookCommand(cfg)
 		require.Equal(t, "sh", cmd)
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/genesis.go b/internal/fullnode/commands/genesis.go
similarity index 98%
rename from internal/fullnode/genesis.go
rename to internal/fullnode/commands/genesis.go
index f02e5b3e..1df77abe 100644
--- a/internal/fullnode/genesis.go
+++ b/internal/fullnode/commands/genesis.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package fullnode
+package commands
 
 import (
 	_ "embed"
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/genesis_test.go b/internal/fullnode/commands/genesis_test.go
similarity index 88%
rename from internal/fullnode/genesis_test.go
rename to internal/fullnode/commands/genesis_test.go
index 0cc8a7af..4d0fa887 100644
--- a/internal/fullnode/genesis_test.go
+++ b/internal/fullnode/commands/genesis_test.go
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
-package fullnode
+package commands
 
 import (
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/samber/lo"
 	cosmosv1 "github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/api/v1"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ func TestDownloadGenesisCommand(t *testing.T) {
 
 	t.Run("download", func(t *testing.T) {
 		cfg := cosmosv1.ChainSpec{
-			GenesisURL: ptr("https://example.com/genesis.json"),
+			GenesisURL: lo.ToPtr("https://example.com/genesis.json"),
 		}
 		cmd, args := DownloadGenesisCommand(cfg)
 		require.Equal(t, "sh", cmd)
@@ -54,8 +55,8 @@ func TestDownloadGenesisCommand(t *testing.T) {
 	t.Run("custom", func(t *testing.T) {
 		cfg := cosmosv1.ChainSpec{
 			// Keeping this to assert that custom script takes precedence.
-			GenesisURL:    ptr("https://example.com/genesis.json"),
-			GenesisScript: ptr("echo hi"),
+			GenesisURL:    lo.ToPtr("https://example.com/genesis.json"),
+			GenesisScript: lo.ToPtr("echo hi"),
 		}
 		cmd, args := DownloadGenesisCommand(cfg)
 		require.Equal(t, "sh", cmd)
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/commands/init.go b/internal/fullnode/commands/init.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f590d5f2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/fullnode/commands/init.go
@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+package commands
+
+import (
+	_ "embed"
+	"fmt"
+
+	cosmosv1 "github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/api/v1"
+)
+
+const initScriptWrapper = `
+set -eu
+
+echo CHAIN_HOME: $CHAIN_HOME
+
+if [ ! -d "$CHAIN_HOME/.penumbra" ]; then
+	echo "Initializing chain..."
+	%s
+else
+	echo "Skipping chain init; already initialized."
+fi
+echo "Done"
+`
+
+const cosmosInitScriptWrapper = `
+set -eu
+if [ ! -d "$CHAIN_HOME/data" ]; then
+	echo "Initializing chain..."
+	%s --home "$CHAIN_HOME"
+else
+	echo "Skipping chain init; already initialized."
+fi
+
+echo "Initializing into tmp dir for downstream processing..."
+%s --home "$HOME/.tmp"`
+
+func InitCommand(chainSpec cosmosv1.ChainSpec, moniker string) (string, []string) {
+	args := []string{"-c"}
+	switch {
+	case chainSpec.InitScript != nil:
+		args = append(args, fmt.Sprintf(initScriptWrapper, *chainSpec.InitScript))
+	default:
+		initScript := fmt.Sprintf("%s init --chain-id %s %s", chainSpec.Binary, chainSpec.ChainID, moniker)
+		args = append(args, fmt.Sprintf(cosmosInitScriptWrapper, initScript, initScript))
+	}
+
+	return "sh", args
+}
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/commands/init_test.go b/internal/fullnode/commands/init_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b96840a6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/fullnode/commands/init_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+package commands
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	cosmosv1 "github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/api/v1"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestInitCommand(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	t.Run("given cosmos chain", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Run("returns init command", func(t *testing.T) {
+			var cfg = cosmosv1.ChainSpec{
+				Binary:  "gaiad",
+				ChainID: "cosmoshub-4",
+			}
+
+			cmd, args := InitCommand(cfg, "strangelove")
+			require.Equal(t, "sh", cmd)
+
+			require.Len(t, args, 2)
+
+			require.Equal(t, "-c", args[0])
+
+			got := args[1]
+			require.Contains(t, got, "if [ ! -d \"$CHAIN_HOME/data\" ]; then")
+			require.Contains(t, got, "gaiad init --chain-id cosmoshub-4 strangelove --home \"$CHAIN_HOME\"")
+		})
+	})
+
+	t.Run("given custom chain", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Run("returns init command", func(t *testing.T) {
+			var initScript = "pd testnet --testnet-dir /home/operator/cosmos/.penumbra/testnet_data  join --external-address 127.0.0.1:26656 --moniker strangelove"
+			var cfg = cosmosv1.ChainSpec{
+				InitScript: &initScript,
+			}
+
+			cmd, args := InitCommand(cfg, "strangelove")
+			require.Equal(t, "sh", cmd)
+
+			require.Len(t, args, 2)
+
+			require.Equal(t, "-c", args[0])
+
+			got := args[1]
+			require.Contains(t, got, "if [ ! -d \"$CHAIN_HOME/.penumbra\" ]; then")
+			require.Contains(t, got, "pd testnet --testnet-dir /home/operator/cosmos/.penumbra/testnet_data  join --external-address 127.0.0.1:26656 --moniker strangelove")
+		})
+	})
+}
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/script/download-addrbook.sh b/internal/fullnode/commands/script/download-addrbook.sh
similarity index 100%
rename from internal/fullnode/script/download-addrbook.sh
rename to internal/fullnode/commands/script/download-addrbook.sh
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/script/download-genesis.sh b/internal/fullnode/commands/script/download-genesis.sh
similarity index 100%
rename from internal/fullnode/script/download-genesis.sh
rename to internal/fullnode/commands/script/download-genesis.sh
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/script/download-snapshot.sh b/internal/fullnode/commands/script/download-snapshot.sh
similarity index 100%
rename from internal/fullnode/script/download-snapshot.sh
rename to internal/fullnode/commands/script/download-snapshot.sh
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/script/use-init-genesis.sh b/internal/fullnode/commands/script/use-init-genesis.sh
similarity index 100%
rename from internal/fullnode/script/use-init-genesis.sh
rename to internal/fullnode/commands/script/use-init-genesis.sh
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/snapshot.go b/internal/fullnode/commands/snapshot.go
similarity index 98%
rename from internal/fullnode/snapshot.go
rename to internal/fullnode/commands/snapshot.go
index e66f791b..2ac7e62b 100644
--- a/internal/fullnode/snapshot.go
+++ b/internal/fullnode/commands/snapshot.go
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-package fullnode
+package commands
 
 import (
 	_ "embed"
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/snapshot_test.go b/internal/fullnode/commands/snapshot_test.go
similarity index 86%
rename from internal/fullnode/snapshot_test.go
rename to internal/fullnode/commands/snapshot_test.go
index 76cbaf0a..132a24be 100644
--- a/internal/fullnode/snapshot_test.go
+++ b/internal/fullnode/commands/snapshot_test.go
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
-package fullnode
+package commands
 
 import (
 	"testing"
 
+	"github.com/samber/lo"
 	cosmosv1 "github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/api/v1"
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
 )
@@ -19,7 +20,7 @@ fi`
 	)
 	t.Run("snapshot url", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var cfg cosmosv1.ChainSpec
-		cfg.SnapshotURL = ptr(testURL)
+		cfg.SnapshotURL = lo.ToPtr(testURL)
 
 		cmd, args := DownloadSnapshotCommand(cfg)
 		require.Equal(t, "sh", cmd)
@@ -38,8 +39,8 @@ fi`
 
 	t.Run("snapshot script", func(t *testing.T) {
 		var cfg cosmosv1.ChainSpec
-		cfg.SnapshotURL = ptr(testURL) // Asserts SnapshotScript takes precedence.
-		cfg.SnapshotScript = ptr("echo hello")
+		cfg.SnapshotURL = lo.ToPtr(testURL) // Asserts SnapshotScript takes precedence.
+		cfg.SnapshotScript = lo.ToPtr("echo hello")
 
 		_, args := DownloadSnapshotCommand(cfg)
 		require.Len(t, args, 2)
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/commands/start.go b/internal/fullnode/commands/start.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..aaa7f246
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/fullnode/commands/start.go
@@ -0,0 +1,55 @@
+package commands
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"strings"
+
+	cosmosv1 "github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/api/v1"
+)
+
+const startScriptWrapper = `
+%s
+`
+
+func StartCmdAndArgs(crd *cosmosv1.CosmosFullNode, homeDir string) (string, []string) {
+	if crd.Spec.ChainSpec.StartScript == nil {
+		var (
+			binary             = crd.Spec.ChainSpec.Binary
+			args               = StartCommandArgs(crd, homeDir)
+			privvalSleep int32 = 10
+		)
+		if v := crd.Spec.ChainSpec.PrivvalSleepSeconds; v != nil {
+			privvalSleep = *v
+		}
+
+		if crd.Spec.Type == cosmosv1.Sentry && privvalSleep > 0 {
+			shellBody := fmt.Sprintf(`sleep %d
+%s %s`, privvalSleep, binary, strings.Join(args, " "))
+			return "sh", []string{"-c", shellBody}
+		}
+
+		return binary, args
+	} else {
+		args := []string{"-c"}
+		args = append(args, fmt.Sprintf(startScriptWrapper, *crd.Spec.ChainSpec.StartScript))
+		return "sh", args
+	}
+}
+
+func StartCommandArgs(crd *cosmosv1.CosmosFullNode, homeDir string) []string {
+	args := []string{"start", "--home", homeDir}
+	cfg := crd.Spec.ChainSpec
+	if cfg.SkipInvariants {
+		args = append(args, "--x-crisis-skip-assert-invariants")
+	}
+	if lvl := cfg.LogLevel; lvl != nil {
+		args = append(args, "--log_level", *lvl)
+	}
+	if format := cfg.LogFormat; format != nil {
+		args = append(args, "--log_format", *format)
+	}
+	if len(crd.Spec.ChainSpec.AdditionalStartArgs) > 0 {
+		args = append(args, crd.Spec.ChainSpec.AdditionalStartArgs...)
+	}
+	return args
+}
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/commands/start_test.go b/internal/fullnode/commands/start_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..41e50892
--- /dev/null
+++ b/internal/fullnode/commands/start_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+package commands
+
+import (
+	"testing"
+
+	cosmosv1 "github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/api/v1"
+	"github.com/stretchr/testify/require"
+)
+
+func TestStartCommand(t *testing.T) {
+	t.Parallel()
+
+	t.Run("given cosmos chain", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Run("returns init command", func(t *testing.T) {
+			var cfg = cosmosv1.ChainSpec{
+				Binary:  "gaiad",
+				ChainID: "cosmoshub-4",
+			}
+
+			cmd, args := InitCommand(cfg, "strangelove")
+			require.Equal(t, "sh", cmd)
+
+			require.Len(t, args, 2)
+
+			require.Equal(t, "-c", args[0])
+
+			got := args[1]
+			require.Contains(t, got, "if [ ! -d \"$CHAIN_HOME/data\" ]; then")
+			require.Contains(t, got, "gaiad init --chain-id cosmoshub-4 strangelove --home \"$CHAIN_HOME\"")
+		})
+	})
+
+	t.Run("given custom chain", func(t *testing.T) {
+		t.Run("returns init command", func(t *testing.T) {
+			var initScript = "pd testnet --testnet-dir /home/operator/cosmos/.penumbra/testnet_data  join --external-address 127.0.0.1:26656 --moniker strangelove"
+			var cfg = cosmosv1.ChainSpec{
+				InitScript: &initScript,
+			}
+
+			cmd, args := InitCommand(cfg, "strangelove")
+			require.Equal(t, "sh", cmd)
+
+			require.Len(t, args, 2)
+
+			require.Equal(t, "-c", args[0])
+
+			got := args[1]
+			require.Contains(t, got, "if [ ! -d \"$CHAIN_HOME/.penumbra\" ]; then")
+			require.Contains(t, got, "pd testnet --testnet-dir /home/operator/cosmos/.penumbra/testnet_data  join --external-address 127.0.0.1:26656 --moniker strangelove")
+		})
+	})
+}
diff --git a/internal/fullnode/pod_builder.go b/internal/fullnode/pod_builder.go
index 2c81a011..96e091b9 100644
--- a/internal/fullnode/pod_builder.go
+++ b/internal/fullnode/pod_builder.go
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/samber/lo"
 	cosmosv1 "github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/api/v1"
+	"github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/internal/fullnode/commands"
 	"github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/internal/healthcheck"
 	"github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/internal/kube"
 	"github.com/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator/internal/version"
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ func NewPodBuilder(crd *cosmosv1.CosmosFullNode) PodBuilder {
 
 	var (
 		tpl                 = crd.Spec.PodTemplate
-		startCmd, startArgs = startCmdAndArgs(crd)
+		startCmd, startArgs = commands.StartCmdAndArgs(crd, ChainHomeDir(crd))
 		probes              = podReadinessProbes(crd)
 	)
 
@@ -111,7 +112,7 @@ func NewPodBuilder(crd *cosmosv1.CosmosFullNode) PodBuilder {
 		},
 	}
 
-	if len(crd.Spec.ChainSpec.Versions) > 0 {
+	if crd.Spec.ChainType == cosmosv1.Cosmos && len(crd.Spec.ChainSpec.Versions) > 0 {
 		// version check sidecar, runs on inverval in case the instance is halting for upgrade.
 		pod.Spec.Containers = append(pod.Spec.Containers, corev1.Container{
 			Name:    "version-check-interval",
@@ -346,12 +347,11 @@ func resolveInfraToolImage() string {
 
 func initContainers(crd *cosmosv1.CosmosFullNode, moniker string) []corev1.Container {
 	tpl := crd.Spec.PodTemplate
-	binary := crd.Spec.ChainSpec.Binary
-	genesisCmd, genesisArgs := DownloadGenesisCommand(crd.Spec.ChainSpec)
-	addrbookCmd, addrbookArgs := DownloadAddrbookCommand(crd.Spec.ChainSpec)
+	initCmd, initArgs := commands.InitCommand(crd.Spec.ChainSpec, moniker)
+	genesisCmd, genesisArgs := commands.DownloadGenesisCommand(crd.Spec.ChainSpec)
+	addrbookCmd, addrbookArgs := commands.DownloadAddrbookCommand(crd.Spec.ChainSpec)
 	env := envVars(crd)
 
-	initCmd := fmt.Sprintf("%s init --chain-id %s %s", binary, crd.Spec.ChainSpec.ChainID, moniker)
 	if len(crd.Spec.ChainSpec.AdditionalInitArgs) > 0 {
 		initCmd += " " + strings.Join(crd.Spec.ChainSpec.AdditionalInitArgs, " ")
 	}
@@ -366,28 +366,14 @@ func initContainers(crd *cosmosv1.CosmosFullNode, moniker string) []corev1.Conta
 			WorkingDir:      workDir,
 		},
 		{
-			Name:    chainInitContainer,
-			Image:   tpl.Image,
-			Command: []string{"sh"},
-			Args: []string{"-c",
-				fmt.Sprintf(`
-set -eu
-if [ ! -d "$CHAIN_HOME/data" ]; then
-	echo "Initializing chain..."
-	%s --home "$CHAIN_HOME"
-else
-	echo "Skipping chain init; already initialized."
-fi
-
-echo "Initializing into tmp dir for downstream processing..."
-%s --home "$HOME/.tmp"
-`, initCmd, initCmd),
-			},
+			Name:            chainInitContainer,
+			Image:           tpl.Image,
+			Command:         []string{initCmd},
+			Args:            initArgs,
 			Env:             env,
 			ImagePullPolicy: tpl.ImagePullPolicy,
 			WorkingDir:      workDir,
 		},
-
 		{
 			Name:            "genesis-init",
 			Image:           resolveInfraToolImage(),
@@ -406,37 +392,44 @@ echo "Initializing into tmp dir for downstream processing..."
 			ImagePullPolicy: tpl.ImagePullPolicy,
 			WorkingDir:      workDir,
 		},
-		{
-			Name:    "config-merge",
-			Image:   resolveInfraToolImage(),
-			Command: []string{"sh"},
-			Args: []string{"-c",
-				`
-set -eu
-CONFIG_DIR="$CHAIN_HOME/config"
-TMP_DIR="$HOME/.tmp/config"
-OVERLAY_DIR="$HOME/.config"
-
-# This is a hack to prevent adding another init container.
-# Ideally, this step is not concerned with merging config, so it would live elsewhere.
-# The node key is a secret mounted into the main "node" container, so we do not need this one.
-echo "Removing node key from chain's init subcommand..."
-rm -rf "$CONFIG_DIR/node_key.json"
-
-echo "Merging config..."
-set -x
-config-merge -f toml "$TMP_DIR/config.toml" "$OVERLAY_DIR/config-overlay.toml" > "$CONFIG_DIR/config.toml"
-config-merge -f toml "$TMP_DIR/app.toml" "$OVERLAY_DIR/app-overlay.toml" > "$CONFIG_DIR/app.toml"
-`,
+	}
+
+	if crd.Spec.ChainType == cosmosv1.Cosmos {
+		mrg := []corev1.Container{
+			{
+				Name:    "config-merge",
+				Image:   resolveInfraToolImage(),
+				Command: []string{"sh"},
+				Args: []string{"-c",
+					`
+		set -eu
+		CONFIG_DIR="$CHAIN_HOME/config"
+		TMP_DIR="$HOME/.tmp/config"
+		OVERLAY_DIR="$HOME/.config"
+		
+		# This is a hack to prevent adding another init container.
+		# Ideally, this step is not concerned with merging config, so it would live elsewhere.
+		# The node key is a secret mounted into the main "node" container, so we do not need this one.
+		echo "Removing node key from chain's init subcommand..."
+		rm -rf "$CONFIG_DIR/node_key.json"
+		
+		echo "Merging config..."
+		set -x
+		config-merge -f toml "$TMP_DIR/config.toml" "$OVERLAY_DIR/config-overlay.toml" > "$CONFIG_DIR/config.toml"
+		config-merge -f toml "$TMP_DIR/app.toml" "$OVERLAY_DIR/app-overlay.toml" > "$CONFIG_DIR/app.toml"
+		`,
+				},
+				Env:             env,
+				ImagePullPolicy: tpl.ImagePullPolicy,
+				WorkingDir:      workDir,
 			},
-			Env:             env,
-			ImagePullPolicy: tpl.ImagePullPolicy,
-			WorkingDir:      workDir,
-		},
+		}
+
+		required = append(required, mrg[0])
 	}
 
 	if willRestoreFromSnapshot(crd) {
-		cmd, args := DownloadSnapshotCommand(crd.Spec.ChainSpec)
+		cmd, args := commands.DownloadSnapshotCommand(crd.Spec.ChainSpec)
 		required = append(required, corev1.Container{
 			Name:            "snapshot-restore",
 			Image:           resolveInfraToolImage(),
@@ -458,60 +451,25 @@ config-merge -f toml "$TMP_DIR/app.toml" "$OVERLAY_DIR/app-overlay.toml" > "$CON
 	// This initContainer will update the crd status with the current height for the pod,
 	// And then panic if the image version is not correct for the current height.
 	// After the status is patched, the pod will be restarted with the correct image.
-	required = append(required, corev1.Container{
-		Name:    "version-check",
-		Image:   "ghcr.io/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator:" + version.DockerTag(),
-		Command: versionCheckCmd,
-		Resources: corev1.ResourceRequirements{
-			Requests: corev1.ResourceList{
-				corev1.ResourceCPU:    resource.MustParse("5m"),
-				corev1.ResourceMemory: resource.MustParse("16Mi"),
+	if crd.Spec.ChainType == cosmosv1.Cosmos {
+		required = append(required, corev1.Container{
+			Name:    "version-check",
+			Image:   "ghcr.io/strangelove-ventures/cosmos-operator:" + version.DockerTag(),
+			Command: versionCheckCmd,
+			Resources: corev1.ResourceRequirements{
+				Requests: corev1.ResourceList{
+					corev1.ResourceCPU:    resource.MustParse("5m"),
+					corev1.ResourceMemory: resource.MustParse("16Mi"),
+				},
 			},
-		},
-		Env:             env,
-		ImagePullPolicy: tpl.ImagePullPolicy,
-		WorkingDir:      workDir,
-		SecurityContext: &corev1.SecurityContext{},
-	})
-
-	return required
-}
-
-func startCmdAndArgs(crd *cosmosv1.CosmosFullNode) (string, []string) {
-	var (
-		binary             = crd.Spec.ChainSpec.Binary
-		args               = startCommandArgs(crd)
-		privvalSleep int32 = 10
-	)
-	if v := crd.Spec.ChainSpec.PrivvalSleepSeconds; v != nil {
-		privvalSleep = *v
-	}
-
-	if crd.Spec.Type == cosmosv1.Sentry && privvalSleep > 0 {
-		shellBody := fmt.Sprintf(`sleep %d
-%s %s`, privvalSleep, binary, strings.Join(args, " "))
-		return "sh", []string{"-c", shellBody}
+			Env:             env,
+			ImagePullPolicy: tpl.ImagePullPolicy,
+			WorkingDir:      workDir,
+			SecurityContext: &corev1.SecurityContext{},
+		})
 	}
 
-	return binary, args
-}
-
-func startCommandArgs(crd *cosmosv1.CosmosFullNode) []string {
-	args := []string{"start", "--home", ChainHomeDir(crd)}
-	cfg := crd.Spec.ChainSpec
-	if cfg.SkipInvariants {
-		args = append(args, "--x-crisis-skip-assert-invariants")
-	}
-	if lvl := cfg.LogLevel; lvl != nil {
-		args = append(args, "--log_level", *lvl)
-	}
-	if format := cfg.LogFormat; format != nil {
-		args = append(args, "--log_format", *format)
-	}
-	if len(crd.Spec.ChainSpec.AdditionalStartArgs) > 0 {
-		args = append(args, crd.Spec.ChainSpec.AdditionalStartArgs...)
-	}
-	return args
+	return required
 }
 
 func willRestoreFromSnapshot(crd *cosmosv1.CosmosFullNode) bool {