🛑Exiting the Validator Node

Exiting Validator Node

Important Considerations Before Exiting

• Irreversibility: Once a validator is exited, it cannot be reactivated. To resume staking, you'd need to generate new validator keys and initiate the staking process anew.

• Withdrawal Credentials: Ensure your validator's withdrawal credentials are set to type 0x01. This setting is necessary for automatic withdrawals. If your credentials are of type 0x00 (BLS), you'll need to update them before exiting.

Access the Validator Container

Run this command to open an interactive shell inside the validator container:

docker exec -it $(docker ps --filter "name=validator" --format "{{.Names}}")

Locate the Specific Keystore

List your validator keys to identify the correct directory:

ls /validator_keys/

You will see folders like:

0xd76cb34a345c8543640ffded77335de1c78d6e6856ea1c8129bc00086147d6479f653fdebf5bc5e92e2720e9f3632441

Run the Voluntary Exit Command

Use the full path to your voting-keystore.json in the command:

lighthouse account validator exit --testnet-dir=/el-cl-genesis-data/custom_config_data --keystore /validator_keys/<your-validator-folder>/voting-keystore.json --beacon-node http://beacon:5052

Example:

lighthouse account validator exit --testnet-dir=/el-cl-genesis-data/custom_config_data --keystore /validator_keys/0xd76cb34a3.../voting-keystore.json --beacon-node http://beacon:5052

Provide the Validator Password

When prompted:

Enter the keystore password for validator...

→ Type the password you set when you created the validator.

Provide the Exit Phrase

It will then prompt:

Enter the exit phrase from the above URL to confirm the voluntary exit:

→ Type exactly:

Exit my validator

Verifying the Exit Status

To monitor the status of your validator's exit, you can use beacon.blocxscan.com

1. Navigate to https://beacon.blocxscan.com/.

2. Enter your validator's public key or index in the search bar.

3. Review the validator's status to confirm the exit process.

Summary of Flow:

• Access container → list keys → run command → enter validator password → type exit phrase → done!

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