# /sys/step-down

The `/sys/step-down` endpoint causes the node to give up active status.

### Step down leader

The step-down endpoint forces nodes to give up "active" status. If you call the endpoint against a non-active node, for example, a DR or performance standby node, Vault forwards the request to the active node.

```
Note that the node will sleep
```

for ten seconds before attempting to grab the active lock again, but if no standby nodes grab the active lock in the interim, the same node may become the active node again. Requires a token with `root` policy or `sudo` capability on the path.

| Method | Path             |
| ------ | ---------------- |
| `POST` | `/sys/step-down` |

#### Sample request

```shell-session
$ curl \
    --header "X-Vault-Token: ..." \
    --request POST \
    http://127.0.0.1:8200/v1/sys/step-down
```


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.enclaive.cloud/vault/api/system-backend/sys-step-down.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.