> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.enclaive.cloud/vault/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.enclaive.cloud/vault/api/system-backend/sys-step-down.md).

# /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
```


---

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