> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.oortech.com/oort/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.oortech.com/oort/infra/witnesses-nodes/witness-operations.md).

# Witness operations

## Become a witness

Step 1: Go to [mainnet-scan.oortech.com/witnesses](https://mainnet-scan.oortech.com/witnesses) and select "Become a Witness".

<figure><img src="/files/O9oTq6Gq5e0WtmvvCoI6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Step 2: First, ensure that there are at least *200k $OORT + gas fee* in the witness account that was created in [Run a witness node](/oort/infra/witnesses-nodes/run-a-witness-node.md).  You should specify the *Witness Reward Ratio* and click "stake" button.\
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Once self staking is successful, the witness pool is created and the witness will be *pending* state. The node will be qualified as a witness candidate only if 300k more $OORT are staked from the community, so that the total staking reaches 500k required amount.

The amount of self stake is 40% percent of of the total stake. However, consider the cost of running a physical machine or leasing a cloud machine, it's suggested to set *Witness Reward Ratio* from 50% to 60%.

<figure><img src="/files/T6bbGfK2bHXyndC0uaKp" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Witness information

<figure><img src="/files/Jm3o2Yaf7Nk8SEpGnvWB" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Here are the explanation of different witness status.

<table><thead><tr><th width="216">Witness Status</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Witnessing</td><td>The account is 1 of the 14 active witnesses for validating blocks.</td></tr><tr><td>Candidate</td><td>The account is a witness candidate and maybe selected as the active witness for block validating in next epochs.</td></tr><tr><td>Pending</td><td>The account has created the witness pool but doesn't have enough staking from the community.</td></tr><tr><td>Offline</td><td>The witness pool has enough staking. However, the witness node is offline.</td></tr><tr><td>Exiting</td><td>The account has applied to exit as the witness.</td></tr><tr><td>Exited</td><td>The account has exited as the witness, and it is allowed to withdraw the staking.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Apply to exit

A witness will allow to close the staking pool and apply to exit anytime. Click "Apply to Exit" so that the the witness status will be changed to "Exiting". After 3 Epoches, the witness status will be changed to "Exited", and then you can click "Unstake" to withdraw the 200k $OORT staking from the pool.