How do I install the Cardano CLI Staking Operator skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add input-output-hk/cardano-cli-staking-operator in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Cardano CLI Staking Operator safe to use?

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Which AI agents work with Cardano CLI Staking Operator?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Cardano CLI Staking Operator free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Cardano CLI Staking Operator?

input-output-hk (@input-output-hk) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Cardano CLI Staking Operator by input-output-hk

Name: Cardano CLI Staking Operator
Author: input-output-hk

File contents

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

---name: cardano-cli-staking-operatordescription: Execute staking operations: registration, delegation, rewards withdrawal. Manual invoke only.---# 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```bashcardano-cli conway query stake-address-info \ --testnet-magic 1 \ --address $(cat stake.addr)```### Register stake key (if not registered)```bash# Create registration certificatecardano-cli conway stake-address registration-certificate \ --stake-verification-key-file stake.vkey \ --out-file stake-reg.cert# Build tx with certificatecardano-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 keyscardano-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```bash# Create delegation certificatecardano-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```bash# Check rewards balance firstcardano-cli conway query stake-address-info \ --testnet-magic 1 \ --address $(cat stake.addr)# Build withdrawal txcardano-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`

Frequently asked questions

Cardano CLI Staking Operator