The example config states that "Ledger will only close when stellar-core gets the manualclose command".
On a new private testing network (ledger#=1), after setting MANUAL_CLOSE=true, I did stellar-core --newdb & stellar-core --newhist XX (also stellar-core --forcescp), but the stellar core network cannot start at all (constantly "Joining SCP").
Also failed with RUN_STANDALONE=true, so this doesn't look like a protocol issue.
Any help/successful experience?
p.s. No previous hands-on with manualclose.
Edit:
The other config variables to change ledger close time ARTIFICIALLY_SET_CLOSE_TIME_FOR_TESTING and ARTIFICIALLY_ACCELERATE_TIME_FOR_TESTING work just fine.
stellar-core.cfg?