diff --git a/ids/test_generator.go b/ids/test_generator.go
index 2f8edf3567d8..29ecfa8d409c 100644
--- a/ids/test_generator.go
+++ b/ids/test_generator.go
@@ -23,3 +23,12 @@ func GenerateTestShortID() ShortID {
 func GenerateTestNodeID() NodeID {
 	return NodeID(GenerateTestShortID())
 }
+
+// BuildTestNodeID is an utility to build NodeID from bytes in UTs
+// It must not be used in production code. In production code we should
+// use ToNodeID, which performs proper length checking.
+func BuildTestNodeID(src []byte) NodeID {
+	res := NodeID{}
+	copy(res[:], src)
+	return res
+}
diff --git a/network/peer/set_test.go b/network/peer/set_test.go
index f26b1d19f8ec..fb67d25ef05f 100644
--- a/network/peer/set_test.go
+++ b/network/peer/set_test.go
@@ -18,24 +18,24 @@ func TestSet(t *testing.T) {
 	set := NewSet()
 
 	peer1 := &peer{
-		id:              ids.NodeID{0x01},
+		id:              ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x01}),
 		observedUptimes: map[ids.ID]uint32{constants.PrimaryNetworkID: 0},
 	}
 	updatedPeer1 := &peer{
-		id:              ids.NodeID{0x01},
+		id:              ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x01}),
 		observedUptimes: map[ids.ID]uint32{constants.PrimaryNetworkID: 1},
 	}
 	peer2 := &peer{
-		id: ids.NodeID{0x02},
+		id: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x02}),
 	}
 	unknownPeer := &peer{
-		id: ids.NodeID{0xff},
+		id: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0xff}),
 	}
 	peer3 := &peer{
-		id: ids.NodeID{0x03},
+		id: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x03}),
 	}
 	peer4 := &peer{
-		id: ids.NodeID{0x04},
+		id: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x04}),
 	}
 
 	// add of first peer is handled
@@ -105,10 +105,10 @@ func TestSetSample(t *testing.T) {
 	set := NewSet()
 
 	peer1 := &peer{
-		id: ids.NodeID{0x01},
+		id: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x01}),
 	}
 	peer2 := &peer{
-		id: ids.NodeID{0x02},
+		id: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x02}),
 	}
 
 	// Case: Empty
diff --git a/network/peer/upgrader.go b/network/peer/upgrader.go
index 47a6d0bc7c68..b601ee370947 100644
--- a/network/peer/upgrader.go
+++ b/network/peer/upgrader.go
@@ -60,12 +60,12 @@ func (t *tlsClientUpgrader) Upgrade(conn net.Conn) (ids.NodeID, net.Conn, *staki
 
 func connToIDAndCert(conn *tls.Conn, invalidCerts prometheus.Counter) (ids.NodeID, net.Conn, *staking.Certificate, error) {
 	if err := conn.Handshake(); err != nil {
-		return ids.NodeID{}, nil, nil, err
+		return ids.EmptyNodeID, nil, nil, err
 	}
 
 	state := conn.ConnectionState()
 	if len(state.PeerCertificates) == 0 {
-		return ids.NodeID{}, nil, nil, errNoCert
+		return ids.EmptyNodeID, nil, nil, errNoCert
 	}
 
 	tlsCert := state.PeerCertificates[0]
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ func connToIDAndCert(conn *tls.Conn, invalidCerts prometheus.Counter) (ids.NodeI
 	peerCert, err := staking.ParseCertificate(tlsCert.Raw)
 	if err != nil {
 		invalidCerts.Inc()
-		return ids.NodeID{}, nil, nil, err
+		return ids.EmptyNodeID, nil, nil, err
 	}
 
 	// We validate the certificate here to attempt to make the validity of the
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ func connToIDAndCert(conn *tls.Conn, invalidCerts prometheus.Counter) (ids.NodeI
 	// healthy.
 	if err := staking.ValidateCertificate(peerCert); err != nil {
 		invalidCerts.Inc()
-		return ids.NodeID{}, nil, nil, err
+		return ids.EmptyNodeID, nil, nil, err
 	}
 
 	nodeID := ids.NodeIDFromCert(peerCert)
diff --git a/node/insecure_validator_manager.go b/node/insecure_validator_manager.go
index bd69529619dc..d2cdab94cc89 100644
--- a/node/insecure_validator_manager.go
+++ b/node/insecure_validator_manager.go
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ func (i *insecureValidatorManager) Connected(vdrID ids.NodeID, nodeVersion *vers
 		// peer as a validator. Because each validator needs a txID associated
 		// with it, we hack one together by padding the nodeID with zeroes.
 		dummyTxID := ids.Empty
-		copy(dummyTxID[:], vdrID[:])
+		copy(dummyTxID[:], vdrID.Bytes())
 
 		err := i.vdrs.AddStaker(constants.PrimaryNetworkID, vdrID, nil, dummyTxID, i.weight)
 		if err != nil {
diff --git a/node/node.go b/node/node.go
index d4763db746ec..49548e2fc164 100644
--- a/node/node.go
+++ b/node/node.go
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ func (n *Node) initNetworking() error {
 		// a validator. Because each validator needs a txID associated with it,
 		// we hack one together by just padding our nodeID with zeroes.
 		dummyTxID := ids.Empty
-		copy(dummyTxID[:], n.ID[:])
+		copy(dummyTxID[:], n.ID.Bytes())
 
 		err := n.vdrs.AddStaker(
 			constants.PrimaryNetworkID,
diff --git a/snow/consensus/snowman/poll/set_test.go b/snow/consensus/snowman/poll/set_test.go
index 70830e3da36c..84ed8f7a5c8c 100644
--- a/snow/consensus/snowman/poll/set_test.go
+++ b/snow/consensus/snowman/poll/set_test.go
@@ -21,11 +21,11 @@ var (
 	blkID3 = ids.ID{3}
 	blkID4 = ids.ID{4}
 
-	vdr1 = ids.NodeID{1}
-	vdr2 = ids.NodeID{2}
-	vdr3 = ids.NodeID{3}
-	vdr4 = ids.NodeID{4}
-	vdr5 = ids.NodeID{5}
+	vdr1 = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x01})
+	vdr2 = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x02})
+	vdr3 = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x03})
+	vdr4 = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x04})
+	vdr5 = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x05}) // k = 5
 )
 
 func TestNewSetErrorOnPollsMetrics(t *testing.T) {
diff --git a/snow/engine/common/appsender/appsender_client.go b/snow/engine/common/appsender/appsender_client.go
index a816dd68241e..c74616d71006 100644
--- a/snow/engine/common/appsender/appsender_client.go
+++ b/snow/engine/common/appsender/appsender_client.go
@@ -52,8 +52,7 @@ func (c *Client) SendAppRequest(ctx context.Context, nodeIDs set.Set[ids.NodeID]
 	nodeIDsBytes := make([][]byte, nodeIDs.Len())
 	i := 0
 	for nodeID := range nodeIDs {
-		nodeID := nodeID // Prevent overwrite in next iteration
-		nodeIDsBytes[i] = nodeID[:]
+		nodeIDsBytes[i] = nodeID.Bytes()
 		i++
 	}
 	_, err := c.client.SendAppRequest(
@@ -71,7 +70,7 @@ func (c *Client) SendAppResponse(ctx context.Context, nodeID ids.NodeID, request
 	_, err := c.client.SendAppResponse(
 		ctx,
 		&appsenderpb.SendAppResponseMsg{
-			NodeId:    nodeID[:],
+			NodeId:    nodeID.Bytes(),
 			RequestId: requestID,
 			Response:  response,
 		},
@@ -93,8 +92,7 @@ func (c *Client) SendAppGossipSpecific(ctx context.Context, nodeIDs set.Set[ids.
 	nodeIDsBytes := make([][]byte, nodeIDs.Len())
 	i := 0
 	for nodeID := range nodeIDs {
-		nodeID := nodeID // Prevent overwrite in next iteration
-		nodeIDsBytes[i] = nodeID[:]
+		nodeIDsBytes[i] = nodeID.Bytes()
 		i++
 	}
 	_, err := c.client.SendAppGossipSpecific(
diff --git a/snow/engine/common/requests_test.go b/snow/engine/common/requests_test.go
index 00e648dfa90a..73a98e4ccb94 100644
--- a/snow/engine/common/requests_test.go
+++ b/snow/engine/common/requests_test.go
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ func TestRequests(t *testing.T) {
 	_, removed = req.Remove(ids.EmptyNodeID, 1)
 	require.False(removed)
 
-	_, removed = req.Remove(ids.NodeID{1}, 0)
+	_, removed = req.Remove(ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x01}), 0)
 	require.False(removed)
 
 	require.True(req.Contains(ids.Empty))
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ func TestRequests(t *testing.T) {
 	_, removed = req.Remove(ids.EmptyNodeID, 1)
 	require.False(removed)
 
-	_, removed = req.Remove(ids.NodeID{1}, 0)
+	_, removed = req.Remove(ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x01}), 0)
 	require.False(removed)
 
 	require.True(req.Contains(ids.Empty))
diff --git a/snow/engine/snowman/bootstrap/bootstrapper_test.go b/snow/engine/snowman/bootstrap/bootstrapper_test.go
index 620d85b0ba80..81f04d44ba01 100644
--- a/snow/engine/snowman/bootstrap/bootstrapper_test.go
+++ b/snow/engine/snowman/bootstrap/bootstrapper_test.go
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ func TestBootstrapperUnknownByzantineResponse(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NoError(bs.Ancestors(context.Background(), peerID, *requestID+1, [][]byte{blkBytes1})) // respond with wrong request ID
 	require.Equal(oldReqID, *requestID)
 
-	require.NoError(bs.Ancestors(context.Background(), ids.NodeID{1, 2, 3}, *requestID, [][]byte{blkBytes1})) // respond from wrong peer
+	require.NoError(bs.Ancestors(context.Background(), ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1, 2, 3}), *requestID, [][]byte{blkBytes1})) // respond from wrong peer
 	require.Equal(oldReqID, *requestID)
 
 	require.NoError(bs.Ancestors(context.Background(), peerID, *requestID, [][]byte{blkBytes0})) // respond with wrong block
diff --git a/snow/networking/sender/sender_test.go b/snow/networking/sender/sender_test.go
index 6355834dcf78..88c02b9a7f3f 100644
--- a/snow/networking/sender/sender_test.go
+++ b/snow/networking/sender/sender_test.go
@@ -312,7 +312,7 @@ func TestReliableMessages(t *testing.T) {
 
 	ctx := snow.DefaultConsensusContextTest()
 	vdrs := validators.NewManager()
-	require.NoError(vdrs.AddStaker(ctx.SubnetID, ids.NodeID{1}, nil, ids.Empty, 1))
+	require.NoError(vdrs.AddStaker(ctx.SubnetID, ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1}), nil, ids.Empty, 1))
 	benchlist := benchlist.NewNoBenchlist()
 	tm, err := timeout.NewManager(
 		&timer.AdaptiveTimeoutConfig{
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ func TestReliableMessages(t *testing.T) {
 
 	go func() {
 		for i := 0; i < queriesToSend; i++ {
-			vdrIDs := set.Of(ids.NodeID{1})
+			vdrIDs := set.Of(ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1}))
 
 			sender.SendPullQuery(context.Background(), vdrIDs, uint32(i), ids.Empty, 0)
 			time.Sleep(time.Duration(rand.Float64() * float64(time.Microsecond))) // #nosec G404
diff --git a/snow/networking/timeout/manager_test.go b/snow/networking/timeout/manager_test.go
index ce412150b1b6..582da3a9ea1b 100644
--- a/snow/networking/timeout/manager_test.go
+++ b/snow/networking/timeout/manager_test.go
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ func TestManagerFire(t *testing.T) {
 	wg.Add(1)
 
 	manager.RegisterRequest(
-		ids.NodeID{},
+		ids.EmptyNodeID,
 		ids.ID{},
 		true,
 		ids.RequestID{},
diff --git a/snow/networking/tracker/resource_tracker_test.go b/snow/networking/tracker/resource_tracker_test.go
index 4bc78eb4827a..64a897589f90 100644
--- a/snow/networking/tracker/resource_tracker_test.go
+++ b/snow/networking/tracker/resource_tracker_test.go
@@ -48,8 +48,8 @@ func TestCPUTracker(t *testing.T) {
 	tracker, err := NewResourceTracker(prometheus.NewRegistry(), mockUser, meter.ContinuousFactory{}, time.Second)
 	require.NoError(err)
 
-	node1 := ids.NodeID{1}
-	node2 := ids.NodeID{2}
+	node1 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
+	node2 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{2})
 
 	// Note that all the durations between start and end are [halflife].
 	startTime1 := time.Now()
diff --git a/snow/networking/tracker/targeter_test.go b/snow/networking/tracker/targeter_test.go
index 23096adbed28..55974dbf4ac6 100644
--- a/snow/networking/tracker/targeter_test.go
+++ b/snow/networking/tracker/targeter_test.go
@@ -46,10 +46,10 @@ func TestNewTargeter(t *testing.T) {
 func TestTarget(t *testing.T) {
 	ctrl := gomock.NewController(t)
 
-	vdr := ids.NodeID{1}
+	vdr := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	vdrWeight := uint64(1)
 	totalVdrWeight := uint64(10)
-	nonVdr := ids.NodeID{2}
+	nonVdr := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{2})
 	vdrs := validators.NewManager()
 	require.NoError(t, vdrs.AddStaker(constants.PrimaryNetworkID, vdr, nil, ids.Empty, 1))
 	require.NoError(t, vdrs.AddStaker(constants.PrimaryNetworkID, ids.GenerateTestNodeID(), nil, ids.Empty, totalVdrWeight-vdrWeight))
diff --git a/snow/validators/gvalidators/validator_state_server.go b/snow/validators/gvalidators/validator_state_server.go
index 5f0dbc7f46c4..ad9b75197947 100644
--- a/snow/validators/gvalidators/validator_state_server.go
+++ b/snow/validators/gvalidators/validator_state_server.go
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ func (s *Server) GetValidatorSet(ctx context.Context, req *pb.GetValidatorSetReq
 	i := 0
 	for _, vdr := range vdrs {
 		vdrPB := &pb.Validator{
-			NodeId: vdr.NodeID[:],
+			NodeId: vdr.NodeID.Bytes(),
 			Weight: vdr.Weight,
 		}
 		if vdr.PublicKey != nil {
diff --git a/snow/validators/manager_test.go b/snow/validators/manager_test.go
index 01a84201f91d..f93ab719e18a 100644
--- a/snow/validators/manager_test.go
+++ b/snow/validators/manager_test.go
@@ -324,9 +324,9 @@ func TestGetMap(t *testing.T) {
 func TestWeight(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	vdr0 := ids.NodeID{1}
+	vdr0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	weight0 := uint64(93)
-	vdr1 := ids.NodeID{2}
+	vdr1 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{2})
 	weight1 := uint64(123)
 
 	m := NewManager()
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ func TestString(t *testing.T) {
 func TestAddCallback(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	nodeID0 := ids.NodeID{1}
+	nodeID0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	sk0, err := bls.NewSecretKey()
 	require.NoError(err)
 	pk0 := bls.PublicFromSecretKey(sk0)
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ func TestAddCallback(t *testing.T) {
 func TestAddWeightCallback(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	nodeID0 := ids.NodeID{1}
+	nodeID0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	txID0 := ids.GenerateTestID()
 	weight0 := uint64(1)
 	weight1 := uint64(93)
@@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ func TestAddWeightCallback(t *testing.T) {
 func TestRemoveWeightCallback(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	nodeID0 := ids.NodeID{1}
+	nodeID0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	txID0 := ids.GenerateTestID()
 	weight0 := uint64(93)
 	weight1 := uint64(92)
@@ -518,7 +518,7 @@ func TestRemoveWeightCallback(t *testing.T) {
 func TestValidatorRemovedCallback(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	nodeID0 := ids.NodeID{1}
+	nodeID0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	txID0 := ids.GenerateTestID()
 	weight0 := uint64(93)
 
diff --git a/snow/validators/set_test.go b/snow/validators/set_test.go
index 99651e7930e0..0067a520b5a9 100644
--- a/snow/validators/set_test.go
+++ b/snow/validators/set_test.go
@@ -273,9 +273,9 @@ func TestSetMap(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSetWeight(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	vdr0 := ids.NodeID{1}
+	vdr0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	weight0 := uint64(93)
-	vdr1 := ids.NodeID{2}
+	vdr1 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{2})
 	weight1 := uint64(123)
 
 	s := newSet()
@@ -332,10 +332,10 @@ func TestSetString(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
 	nodeID0 := ids.EmptyNodeID
-	nodeID1 := ids.NodeID{
+	nodeID1 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{
 		0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF,
 		0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF, 0xFF,
-	}
+	})
 
 	s := newSet()
 	require.NoError(s.Add(nodeID0, nil, ids.Empty, 1))
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ func (c *callbackListener) OnValidatorWeightChanged(nodeID ids.NodeID, oldWeight
 func TestSetAddCallback(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	nodeID0 := ids.NodeID{1}
+	nodeID0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	sk0, err := bls.NewSecretKey()
 	require.NoError(err)
 	pk0 := bls.PublicFromSecretKey(sk0)
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ func TestSetAddCallback(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSetAddWeightCallback(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	nodeID0 := ids.NodeID{1}
+	nodeID0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	txID0 := ids.GenerateTestID()
 	weight0 := uint64(1)
 	weight1 := uint64(93)
@@ -447,7 +447,7 @@ func TestSetAddWeightCallback(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSetRemoveWeightCallback(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	nodeID0 := ids.NodeID{1}
+	nodeID0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	txID0 := ids.GenerateTestID()
 	weight0 := uint64(93)
 	weight1 := uint64(92)
@@ -481,7 +481,7 @@ func TestSetRemoveWeightCallback(t *testing.T) {
 func TestSetValidatorRemovedCallback(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	nodeID0 := ids.NodeID{1}
+	nodeID0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	txID0 := ids.GenerateTestID()
 	weight0 := uint64(93)
 
diff --git a/utils/beacon/set_test.go b/utils/beacon/set_test.go
index 2dc240404988..3f4d6cbc4053 100644
--- a/utils/beacon/set_test.go
+++ b/utils/beacon/set_test.go
@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@ import (
 func TestSet(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
 
-	id0 := ids.NodeID{0}
-	id1 := ids.NodeID{1}
-	id2 := ids.NodeID{2}
+	id0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0})
+	id1 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
+	id2 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{2})
 
 	ip0 := ips.IPPort{
 		IP:   net.IPv4zero,
diff --git a/vms/platformvm/api/static_service_test.go b/vms/platformvm/api/static_service_test.go
index 49822d9679d4..12bdb91bfa60 100644
--- a/vms/platformvm/api/static_service_test.go
+++ b/vms/platformvm/api/static_service_test.go
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ import (
 
 func TestBuildGenesisInvalidUTXOBalance(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
-	nodeID := ids.NodeID{1, 2, 3}
+	nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1, 2, 3})
 	addr, err := address.FormatBech32(constants.UnitTestHRP, nodeID.Bytes())
 	require.NoError(err)
 
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func TestBuildGenesisInvalidUTXOBalance(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestBuildGenesisInvalidStakeWeight(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
-	nodeID := ids.NodeID{1, 2, 3}
+	nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1, 2, 3})
 	addr, err := address.FormatBech32(constants.UnitTestHRP, nodeID.Bytes())
 	require.NoError(err)
 
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ func TestBuildGenesisInvalidStakeWeight(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestBuildGenesisInvalidEndtime(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
-	nodeID := ids.NodeID{1, 2, 3}
+	nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1, 2, 3})
 	addr, err := address.FormatBech32(constants.UnitTestHRP, nodeID.Bytes())
 	require.NoError(err)
 
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func TestBuildGenesisInvalidEndtime(t *testing.T) {
 
 func TestBuildGenesisReturnsSortedValidators(t *testing.T) {
 	require := require.New(t)
-	nodeID := ids.NodeID{1}
+	nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 	addr, err := address.FormatBech32(constants.UnitTestHRP, nodeID.Bytes())
 	require.NoError(err)
 
diff --git a/vms/platformvm/state/disk_staker_diff_iterator.go b/vms/platformvm/state/disk_staker_diff_iterator.go
index 44ee1ed87180..efac5ec7b6d7 100644
--- a/vms/platformvm/state/disk_staker_diff_iterator.go
+++ b/vms/platformvm/state/disk_staker_diff_iterator.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func marshalDiffKey(subnetID ids.ID, height uint64, nodeID ids.NodeID) []byte {
 	key := make([]byte, diffKeyLength)
 	copy(key, subnetID[:])
 	packIterableHeight(key[ids.IDLen:], height)
-	copy(key[diffKeyNodeIDOffset:], nodeID[:])
+	copy(key[diffKeyNodeIDOffset:], nodeID.Bytes())
 	return key
 }
 
diff --git a/vms/platformvm/state/disk_staker_diff_iterator_test.go b/vms/platformvm/state/disk_staker_diff_iterator_test.go
index 9439428937b5..543f42a4b9c3 100644
--- a/vms/platformvm/state/disk_staker_diff_iterator_test.go
+++ b/vms/platformvm/state/disk_staker_diff_iterator_test.go
@@ -58,8 +58,8 @@ func TestDiffIteration(t *testing.T) {
 	subnetID0 := ids.GenerateTestID()
 	subnetID1 := ids.GenerateTestID()
 
-	nodeID0 := ids.NodeID{0x00}
-	nodeID1 := ids.NodeID{0x01}
+	nodeID0 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x00})
+	nodeID1 := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0x01})
 
 	subnetID0Height0NodeID0 := marshalDiffKey(subnetID0, 0, nodeID0)
 	subnetID0Height1NodeID0 := marshalDiffKey(subnetID0, 1, nodeID0)
diff --git a/vms/platformvm/state/state.go b/vms/platformvm/state/state.go
index e64d24d434b1..fd842f684eae 100644
--- a/vms/platformvm/state/state.go
+++ b/vms/platformvm/state/state.go
@@ -2030,7 +2030,7 @@ func (s *state) writeCurrentStakers(updateValidators bool, height uint64) error
 					//
 					// Note: We store the compressed public key here.
 					pkBytes := bls.PublicKeyToBytes(staker.PublicKey)
-					if err := nestedPKDiffDB.Put(nodeID[:], pkBytes); err != nil {
+					if err := nestedPKDiffDB.Put(nodeID.Bytes(), pkBytes); err != nil {
 						return err
 					}
 				}
@@ -2069,7 +2069,7 @@ func (s *state) writeCurrentStakers(updateValidators bool, height uint64) error
 			if err != nil {
 				return fmt.Errorf("failed to serialize validator weight diff: %w", err)
 			}
-			if err := nestedWeightDiffDB.Put(nodeID[:], weightDiffBytes); err != nil {
+			if err := nestedWeightDiffDB.Put(nodeID.Bytes(), weightDiffBytes); err != nil {
 				return err
 			}
 
diff --git a/vms/platformvm/txs/add_permissionless_delegator_tx_test.go b/vms/platformvm/txs/add_permissionless_delegator_tx_test.go
index 821a3b7da849..c70bf720bfe3 100644
--- a/vms/platformvm/txs/add_permissionless_delegator_tx_test.go
+++ b/vms/platformvm/txs/add_permissionless_delegator_tx_test.go
@@ -54,11 +54,11 @@ func TestAddPermissionlessPrimaryDelegatorSerialization(t *testing.T) {
 		0xff, 0xee, 0xdd, 0xcc, 0xbb, 0xaa, 0x99, 0x88,
 		0xff, 0xee, 0xdd, 0xcc, 0xbb, 0xaa, 0x99, 0x88,
 	}
-	nodeID := ids.NodeID{
+	nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88,
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88,
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44,
-	}
+	})
 
 	simpleAddPrimaryTx := &AddPermissionlessDelegatorTx{
 		BaseTx: BaseTx{
@@ -768,11 +768,11 @@ func TestAddPermissionlessSubnetDelegatorSerialization(t *testing.T) {
 		0xff, 0xee, 0xdd, 0xcc, 0xbb, 0xaa, 0x99, 0x88,
 		0xff, 0xee, 0xdd, 0xcc, 0xbb, 0xaa, 0x99, 0x88,
 	}
-	nodeID := ids.NodeID{
+	nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88,
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88,
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44,
-	}
+	})
 	subnetID := ids.ID{
 		0x01, 0x02, 0x03, 0x04, 0x05, 0x06, 0x07, 0x08,
 		0x11, 0x12, 0x13, 0x14, 0x15, 0x16, 0x17, 0x18,
diff --git a/vms/platformvm/txs/add_permissionless_validator_tx_test.go b/vms/platformvm/txs/add_permissionless_validator_tx_test.go
index 79b1a64abd00..80e4d3b6ae93 100644
--- a/vms/platformvm/txs/add_permissionless_validator_tx_test.go
+++ b/vms/platformvm/txs/add_permissionless_validator_tx_test.go
@@ -60,11 +60,11 @@ func TestAddPermissionlessPrimaryValidator(t *testing.T) {
 		0xff, 0xee, 0xdd, 0xcc, 0xbb, 0xaa, 0x99, 0x88,
 		0xff, 0xee, 0xdd, 0xcc, 0xbb, 0xaa, 0x99, 0x88,
 	}
-	nodeID := ids.NodeID{
+	nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88,
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88,
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44,
-	}
+	})
 
 	simpleAddPrimaryTx := &AddPermissionlessValidatorTx{
 		BaseTx: BaseTx{
@@ -725,11 +725,11 @@ func TestAddPermissionlessSubnetValidator(t *testing.T) {
 		0xff, 0xee, 0xdd, 0xcc, 0xbb, 0xaa, 0x99, 0x88,
 		0xff, 0xee, 0xdd, 0xcc, 0xbb, 0xaa, 0x99, 0x88,
 	}
-	nodeID := ids.NodeID{
+	nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88,
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88,
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44,
-	}
+	})
 	subnetID := ids.ID{
 		0x01, 0x02, 0x03, 0x04, 0x05, 0x06, 0x07, 0x08,
 		0x11, 0x12, 0x13, 0x14, 0x15, 0x16, 0x17, 0x18,
diff --git a/vms/platformvm/txs/remove_subnet_validator_tx_test.go b/vms/platformvm/txs/remove_subnet_validator_tx_test.go
index 73f2df3cdcf2..4b1f381c039b 100644
--- a/vms/platformvm/txs/remove_subnet_validator_tx_test.go
+++ b/vms/platformvm/txs/remove_subnet_validator_tx_test.go
@@ -51,11 +51,11 @@ func TestRemoveSubnetValidatorTxSerialization(t *testing.T) {
 		0xff, 0xee, 0xdd, 0xcc, 0xbb, 0xaa, 0x99, 0x88,
 		0xff, 0xee, 0xdd, 0xcc, 0xbb, 0xaa, 0x99, 0x88,
 	}
-	nodeID := ids.NodeID{
+	nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88,
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44, 0x55, 0x66, 0x77, 0x88,
 		0x11, 0x22, 0x33, 0x44,
-	}
+	})
 	subnetID := ids.ID{
 		0x01, 0x02, 0x03, 0x04, 0x05, 0x06, 0x07, 0x08,
 		0x11, 0x12, 0x13, 0x14, 0x15, 0x16, 0x17, 0x18,
diff --git a/vms/platformvm/txs/txheap/by_end_time_test.go b/vms/platformvm/txs/txheap/by_end_time_test.go
index 8ea152d27e02..5d95a2c66ad7 100644
--- a/vms/platformvm/txs/txheap/by_end_time_test.go
+++ b/vms/platformvm/txs/txheap/by_end_time_test.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func TestByEndTime(t *testing.T) {
 
 	utx0 := &txs.AddValidatorTx{
 		Validator: txs.Validator{
-			NodeID: ids.NodeID{0},
+			NodeID: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0}),
 			Start:  uint64(baseTime.Unix()),
 			End:    uint64(baseTime.Unix()) + 1,
 		},
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func TestByEndTime(t *testing.T) {
 
 	utx1 := &txs.AddValidatorTx{
 		Validator: txs.Validator{
-			NodeID: ids.NodeID{1},
+			NodeID: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1}),
 			Start:  uint64(baseTime.Unix()),
 			End:    uint64(baseTime.Unix()) + 2,
 		},
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func TestByEndTime(t *testing.T) {
 
 	utx2 := &txs.AddValidatorTx{
 		Validator: txs.Validator{
-			NodeID: ids.NodeID{1},
+			NodeID: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1}),
 			Start:  uint64(baseTime.Unix()),
 			End:    uint64(baseTime.Unix()) + 3,
 		},
diff --git a/vms/platformvm/txs/txheap/by_start_time_test.go b/vms/platformvm/txs/txheap/by_start_time_test.go
index 164e2ec35e59..e00d42076015 100644
--- a/vms/platformvm/txs/txheap/by_start_time_test.go
+++ b/vms/platformvm/txs/txheap/by_start_time_test.go
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ func TestByStartTime(t *testing.T) {
 
 	utx0 := &txs.AddValidatorTx{
 		Validator: txs.Validator{
-			NodeID: ids.NodeID{0},
+			NodeID: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{0}),
 			Start:  uint64(baseTime.Unix()) + 1,
 			End:    uint64(baseTime.Unix()) + 1,
 		},
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ func TestByStartTime(t *testing.T) {
 
 	utx1 := &txs.AddValidatorTx{
 		Validator: txs.Validator{
-			NodeID: ids.NodeID{1},
+			NodeID: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1}),
 			Start:  uint64(baseTime.Unix()) + 2,
 			End:    uint64(baseTime.Unix()) + 2,
 		},
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ func TestByStartTime(t *testing.T) {
 
 	utx2 := &txs.AddValidatorTx{
 		Validator: txs.Validator{
-			NodeID: ids.NodeID{1},
+			NodeID: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1}),
 			Start:  uint64(baseTime.Unix()) + 3,
 			End:    uint64(baseTime.Unix()) + 3,
 		},
diff --git a/vms/platformvm/vm_test.go b/vms/platformvm/vm_test.go
index ea8d43891dd6..31dfcfbda183 100644
--- a/vms/platformvm/vm_test.go
+++ b/vms/platformvm/vm_test.go
@@ -1388,7 +1388,7 @@ func TestBootstrapPartiallyAccepted(t *testing.T) {
 	advanceTimeBlkID := advanceTimeBlk.ID()
 	advanceTimeBlkBytes := advanceTimeBlk.Bytes()
 
-	peerID := ids.NodeID{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1}
+	peerID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1})
 	beacons := validators.NewManager()
 	require.NoError(beacons.AddStaker(ctx.SubnetID, peerID, nil, ids.Empty, 1))
 
diff --git a/vms/proposervm/batched_vm_test.go b/vms/proposervm/batched_vm_test.go
index 499025c6b2f4..326272275dac 100644
--- a/vms/proposervm/batched_vm_test.go
+++ b/vms/proposervm/batched_vm_test.go
@@ -1038,21 +1038,27 @@ func initTestRemoteProposerVM(
 		return defaultPChainHeight, nil
 	}
 	valState.GetValidatorSetF = func(context.Context, uint64, ids.ID) (map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput, error) {
+		var (
+			thisNode = proVM.ctx.NodeID
+			nodeID1  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
+			nodeID2  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{2})
+			nodeID3  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{3})
+		)
 		return map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput{
-			proVM.ctx.NodeID: {
-				NodeID: proVM.ctx.NodeID,
+			thisNode: {
+				NodeID: thisNode,
 				Weight: 10,
 			},
-			{1}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{1},
+			nodeID1: {
+				NodeID: nodeID1,
 				Weight: 5,
 			},
-			{2}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{2},
+			nodeID2: {
+				NodeID: nodeID2,
 				Weight: 6,
 			},
-			{3}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{3},
+			nodeID3: {
+				NodeID: nodeID3,
 				Weight: 7,
 			},
 		}, nil
diff --git a/vms/proposervm/proposer/validators_test.go b/vms/proposervm/proposer/validators_test.go
index a0703d498ec8..2f7913d01e2e 100644
--- a/vms/proposervm/proposer/validators_test.go
+++ b/vms/proposervm/proposer/validators_test.go
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ func TestValidatorDataLess(t *testing.T) {
 	require.False(v2.Less(v1))
 
 	v1 = validatorData{
-		id: ids.NodeID{1},
+		id: ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1}),
 	}
 	require.False(v1.Less(v2))
 	require.True(v2.Less(v1))
diff --git a/vms/proposervm/proposer/windower_test.go b/vms/proposervm/proposer/windower_test.go
index ec2225003230..961398c78867 100644
--- a/vms/proposervm/proposer/windower_test.go
+++ b/vms/proposervm/proposer/windower_test.go
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ func TestWindowerChangeByHeight(t *testing.T) {
 	chainID := ids.ID{0, 2}
 	validatorIDs := make([]ids.NodeID, MaxWindows)
 	for i := range validatorIDs {
-		validatorIDs[i] = ids.NodeID{byte(i + 1)}
+		validatorIDs[i] = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{byte(i) + 1})
 	}
 	vdrState := &validators.TestState{
 		T: t,
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ func TestWindowerChangeByChain(t *testing.T) {
 
 	validatorIDs := make([]ids.NodeID, MaxWindows)
 	for i := range validatorIDs {
-		validatorIDs[i] = ids.NodeID{byte(i + 1)}
+		validatorIDs[i] = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{byte(i) + 1})
 	}
 	vdrState := &validators.TestState{
 		T: t,
diff --git a/vms/proposervm/vm_test.go b/vms/proposervm/vm_test.go
index b3c22862f9bf..b75493f26ac6 100644
--- a/vms/proposervm/vm_test.go
+++ b/vms/proposervm/vm_test.go
@@ -152,21 +152,27 @@ func initTestProposerVM(
 		return defaultPChainHeight, nil
 	}
 	valState.GetValidatorSetF = func(context.Context, uint64, ids.ID) (map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput, error) {
+		var (
+			thisNode = proVM.ctx.NodeID
+			nodeID1  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
+			nodeID2  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{2})
+			nodeID3  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{3})
+		)
 		return map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput{
-			proVM.ctx.NodeID: {
-				NodeID: proVM.ctx.NodeID,
+			thisNode: {
+				NodeID: thisNode,
 				Weight: 10,
 			},
-			{1}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{1},
+			nodeID1: {
+				NodeID: nodeID1,
 				Weight: 5,
 			},
-			{2}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{2},
+			nodeID2: {
+				NodeID: nodeID2,
 				Weight: 6,
 			},
-			{3}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{3},
+			nodeID3: {
+				NodeID: nodeID3,
 				Weight: 7,
 			},
 		}, nil
@@ -892,9 +898,10 @@ func TestExpiredBuildBlock(t *testing.T) {
 		return defaultPChainHeight, nil
 	}
 	valState.GetValidatorSetF = func(context.Context, uint64, ids.ID) (map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput, error) {
+		nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 		return map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput{
-			{1}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{1},
+			nodeID: {
+				NodeID: nodeID,
 				Weight: 100,
 			},
 		}, nil
@@ -1160,9 +1167,10 @@ func TestInnerVMRollback(t *testing.T) {
 		return defaultPChainHeight, nil
 	}
 	valState.GetValidatorSetF = func(context.Context, uint64, ids.ID) (map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput, error) {
+		nodeID := ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
 		return map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput{
-			{1}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{1},
+			nodeID: {
+				NodeID: nodeID,
 				Weight: 100,
 			},
 		}, nil
@@ -1813,21 +1821,27 @@ func TestRejectedHeightNotIndexed(t *testing.T) {
 		return defaultPChainHeight, nil
 	}
 	valState.GetValidatorSetF = func(context.Context, uint64, ids.ID) (map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput, error) {
+		var (
+			thisNode = proVM.ctx.NodeID
+			nodeID1  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
+			nodeID2  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{2})
+			nodeID3  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{3})
+		)
 		return map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput{
-			proVM.ctx.NodeID: {
-				NodeID: proVM.ctx.NodeID,
+			thisNode: {
+				NodeID: thisNode,
 				Weight: 10,
 			},
-			{1}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{1},
+			nodeID1: {
+				NodeID: nodeID1,
 				Weight: 5,
 			},
-			{2}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{2},
+			nodeID2: {
+				NodeID: nodeID2,
 				Weight: 6,
 			},
-			{3}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{3},
+			nodeID3: {
+				NodeID: nodeID3,
 				Weight: 7,
 			},
 		}, nil
@@ -2014,21 +2028,27 @@ func TestRejectedOptionHeightNotIndexed(t *testing.T) {
 		return defaultPChainHeight, nil
 	}
 	valState.GetValidatorSetF = func(context.Context, uint64, ids.ID) (map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput, error) {
+		var (
+			thisNode = proVM.ctx.NodeID
+			nodeID1  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{1})
+			nodeID2  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{2})
+			nodeID3  = ids.BuildTestNodeID([]byte{3})
+		)
 		return map[ids.NodeID]*validators.GetValidatorOutput{
-			proVM.ctx.NodeID: {
-				NodeID: proVM.ctx.NodeID,
+			thisNode: {
+				NodeID: thisNode,
 				Weight: 10,
 			},
-			{1}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{1},
+			nodeID1: {
+				NodeID: nodeID1,
 				Weight: 5,
 			},
-			{2}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{2},
+			nodeID2: {
+				NodeID: nodeID2,
 				Weight: 6,
 			},
-			{3}: {
-				NodeID: ids.NodeID{3},
+			nodeID3: {
+				NodeID: nodeID3,
 				Weight: 7,
 			},
 		}, nil
diff --git a/vms/rpcchainvm/vm_client.go b/vms/rpcchainvm/vm_client.go
index 9a7823979348..d9915bfbfcd6 100644
--- a/vms/rpcchainvm/vm_client.go
+++ b/vms/rpcchainvm/vm_client.go
@@ -396,7 +396,7 @@ func (vm *VMClient) CreateStaticHandlers(ctx context.Context) (map[string]http.H
 
 func (vm *VMClient) Connected(ctx context.Context, nodeID ids.NodeID, nodeVersion *version.Application) error {
 	_, err := vm.client.Connected(ctx, &vmpb.ConnectedRequest{
-		NodeId:  nodeID[:],
+		NodeId:  nodeID.Bytes(),
 		Version: nodeVersion.String(),
 	})
 	return err
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ func (vm *VMClient) Connected(ctx context.Context, nodeID ids.NodeID, nodeVersio
 
 func (vm *VMClient) Disconnected(ctx context.Context, nodeID ids.NodeID) error {
 	_, err := vm.client.Disconnected(ctx, &vmpb.DisconnectedRequest{
-		NodeId: nodeID[:],
+		NodeId: nodeID.Bytes(),
 	})
 	return err
 }
@@ -568,7 +568,7 @@ func (vm *VMClient) AppRequest(ctx context.Context, nodeID ids.NodeID, requestID
 	_, err := vm.client.AppRequest(
 		ctx,
 		&vmpb.AppRequestMsg{
-			NodeId:    nodeID[:],
+			NodeId:    nodeID.Bytes(),
 			RequestId: requestID,
 			Request:   request,
 			Deadline:  grpcutils.TimestampFromTime(deadline),
@@ -581,7 +581,7 @@ func (vm *VMClient) AppResponse(ctx context.Context, nodeID ids.NodeID, requestI
 	_, err := vm.client.AppResponse(
 		ctx,
 		&vmpb.AppResponseMsg{
-			NodeId:    nodeID[:],
+			NodeId:    nodeID.Bytes(),
 			RequestId: requestID,
 			Response:  response,
 		},
@@ -593,7 +593,7 @@ func (vm *VMClient) AppRequestFailed(ctx context.Context, nodeID ids.NodeID, req
 	_, err := vm.client.AppRequestFailed(
 		ctx,
 		&vmpb.AppRequestFailedMsg{
-			NodeId:    nodeID[:],
+			NodeId:    nodeID.Bytes(),
 			RequestId: requestID,
 		},
 	)
@@ -604,7 +604,7 @@ func (vm *VMClient) AppGossip(ctx context.Context, nodeID ids.NodeID, msg []byte
 	_, err := vm.client.AppGossip(
 		ctx,
 		&vmpb.AppGossipMsg{
-			NodeId: nodeID[:],
+			NodeId: nodeID.Bytes(),
 			Msg:    msg,
 		},
 	)
diff --git a/x/sync/client_test.go b/x/sync/client_test.go
index c9f473bea53e..f6c67debe5ee 100644
--- a/x/sync/client_test.go
+++ b/x/sync/client_test.go
@@ -812,7 +812,7 @@ func TestAppRequestSendFailed(t *testing.T) {
 		gomock.Any(),
 		gomock.Any(),
 		gomock.Any(),
-	).Return(ids.NodeID{}, nil, errAppSendFailed).Times(2)
+	).Return(ids.EmptyNodeID, nil, errAppSendFailed).Times(2)
 
 	_, err = client.GetChangeProof(
 		context.Background(),