cardano-cli-staking-operator

OPERATOR SKILL: Executes staking operations that modify on-chain state. Requires explicit human invocation.

When to use

• When ready to register stake key, delegate, or withdraw rewards
• After reviewing guidance from cardano-cli-staking

Operating rules (must follow)

• Confirm network and pool ID before delegation
• Verify stake key registration status before operations
• REQUIRE explicit confirmation before any certificate submission
• Show deposit/fee costs before proceeding

Pre-flight checklist

[ ] Network: ___________
[ ] Stake key files exist and are correct
[ ] Payment key for fees available
[ ] Pool ID verified (for delegation)
[ ] Current rewards balance checked

Execution workflow

Check stake status first

cardano-cli conway query stake-address-info \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --address $(cat stake.addr)

Register stake key (if not registered)

# Create registration certificate
cardano-cli conway stake-address registration-certificate \
  --stake-verification-key-file stake.vkey \
  --out-file stake-reg.cert

# Build tx with certificate
cardano-cli conway transaction build \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --tx-in <utxo>#<index> \
  --change-address <payment-addr> \
  --certificate-file stake-reg.cert \
  --out-file tx.unsigned

# Sign with BOTH payment and stake keys
cardano-cli conway transaction sign \
  --tx-file tx.unsigned \
  --signing-key-file payment.skey \
  --signing-key-file stake.skey \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --out-file tx.signed

# Submit (CONFIRM FIRST)
cardano-cli conway transaction submit \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --tx-file tx.signed

Delegate to pool

# Create delegation certificate
cardano-cli conway stake-address stake-delegation-certificate \
  --stake-verification-key-file stake.vkey \
  --stake-pool-id <pool-id-bech32> \
  --out-file delegation.cert

# Build, sign (payment + stake), submit
# ... same pattern as registration

Withdraw rewards

# Check rewards balance first
cardano-cli conway query stake-address-info \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --address $(cat stake.addr)

# Build withdrawal tx
cardano-cli conway transaction build \
  --testnet-magic 1 \
  --tx-in <utxo>#<index> \
  --withdrawal $(cat stake.addr)+<reward-amount> \
  --change-address <payment-addr> \
  --out-file tx.unsigned

# Sign with BOTH keys and submit

Safety / key handling

• Verify pool ID from multiple sources before delegating
• Double-check reward withdrawal amounts
• Keep certificates for records
• Registration deposit is refundable on de-registration

References

• cardano-cli-staking (guidance skill)
• shared/PRINCIPLES.md