docs: Add otter state generation doc

platform-sdk/consensus-otter-tests/README.md

@@ -65,10 +65,11 @@ platform-sdk/consensus-otter-tests/
 
 ## 📚 Documentation
 
-|                           Guide                           |        Description        |
-|-----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|
-| [🏁 Getting Started](docs/getting-started.md)             | Setup and your first test |
-| [🏛️ Architecture](docs/architecture.md)                  | Framework design overview |
-| [✍️ Writing Tests](docs/writing-tests.md)                 | Test development guide    |
-| [🐢 Turtle Environment](docs/turtle-environment.md)       | Simulated testing guide   |
-| [🐳 Container Environment](docs/container-environment.md) | Docker-based testing      |
+|                             Guide                             |           Description           |
+|---------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|
+| [🏁 Getting Started](docs/getting-started.md)                 | Setup and your first test       |
+| [🏛️ Architecture](docs/architecture.md)                      | Framework design overview       |
+| [✍️ Writing Tests](docs/writing-tests.md)                     | Test development guide          |
+| [🐢 Turtle Environment](docs/turtle-environment.md)           | Simulated testing guide         |
+| [🐳 Container Environment](docs/container-environment.md)     | Docker-based testing            |
+| [💾 Generating Saved States](docs/generating-saved-states.md) | Creating initial network states |

platform-sdk/consensus-otter-tests/docs/container-environment.md

@@ -462,7 +462,7 @@ docker inspect <container_name>
 ### 4. Attaching a Debugger
 
 To attach a debugger to a running container, first identify the node ID of the node you want to attach to. The debug
-port for the container running the consensus node is `5005` plus the node ID (`5005` for node 0, `5006` for node 1,
+port for the container running the consensus node is `6005` plus the node ID (`6005` for node 0, `6006` for node 1,
 etc.). These debug ports are automatically configured in the consensus node containers. Please note that you cannot
 attach the debugger until the node has been started. For repeatable tests, you can set the seed that determines the node
 IDs using the `OtterSpecs` annotation and setting the `randomNodeIds` field to `false`:

platform-sdk/consensus-otter-tests/docs/generating-saved-states.md

@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+# Generating Saved States for Otter Tests
+
+## Overview
+
+Saved states allow tests to bootstrap from a previously generated network state rather than starting from genesis. This is useful for migration testing and scenarios where you want to start from a specific network configuration.
+
+## Generating a State
+
+Use the `GenerateStateTool` command-line tool to create a new saved state:
+
+```bash
+./gradlew :consensus-otter-tests:run --args="org.hiero.otter.fixtures.tools.GenerateStateTool"
+```
+
+This tool:
+1. Creates a 4-node network using a deterministic seed
+2. Runs the network for 10 seconds
+3. Freezes the network to create a consistent snapshot
+4. Cleans up unnecessary files (keeping only the latest round and PCES directory)
+5. Moves the state to `platform-sdk/consensus-otter-tests/saved-states/previous-version-state`
+
+The generated state is a **freeze state**, making it safe for:
+- Migration tests that load a state from a previous software version
+- Tests that make roster changes (node additions/removals)
+- Any test requiring a known starting state with existing rounds
+
+## Using a Saved State in Tests
+
+Reference the saved state directory in your test:
+
+```java
+@OtterTest
+@OtterSpecs(randomNodeIds = false)
+void myTest(@NonNull final TestEnvironment env) {
+    final Network network = env.network();
+
+    network.addNodes(numberOfNodes);
+    network.savedStateDirectory(Path.of("previous-version-state"));
+    network.version(targetVersion);
+    network.start();
+
+    // ... test assertions
+}
+```
+
+The network automatically handles:
+- Loading the saved state from `saved-states/previous-version-state`
+- Synchronizing FakeTime to the state's WALL_CLOCK_TIME + 1 hour if running in the Turtle environment to ensure time does not go backwards
+- Managing roster changes if the test uses different node counts
+
+## Git Management
+
+The `.gitignore` at the repository root ignores all `.swh` files:
+
+```
+*.swh
+```
+
+After generating a new state, **manually `git add` the `.swh` file** to include it in version control:
+
+```bash
+cd platform-sdk/consensus-otter-tests/saved-states/previous-version-state
+git add -f OtterApp/0/hiero/*/SignedState.swh
+```
+
+The `-f` flag is required because the file matches the gitignore pattern.
+
+## Migration Testing
+
+> TODO: Document migration testing workflow when we have tests that load states generated from previous software versions. Include version handling and any specific considerations for testing state format compatibility.