add content

infrastructure/validators/offboarding/.pages

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 title: Offboarding
 nav:
   - index.md
+  - stop-validating.md

infrastructure/validators/offboarding/stop-validating.md

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+---
+title: Stop Validating
+description: Instructions on how to stop validating.
+---
+
+If you wish to remain a validator or nominator (e.g. you're only stopping for planned downtime or
+server maintenance), submitting the `chill` extrinsic in the `staking` pallet should suffice. It is
+only if you wish to unbond funds or reap an account that you should continue with the following.
+
+To ensure a smooth stop to validation, make sure you should do the following actions:
+
+- Chill your validator
+- Purge validator session keys
+- Unbond your tokens
+
+These can all be done with [PolkadotJS Apps](https://polkadot.js.org/apps){target=_blank} interface or with
+extrinsics.
+
+
+<!-- TODO: add links later -->
+
+## Chill Validator
+
+To chill your validator or nominator, call the `staking.chill()` extrinsic. See the How to Chill page for more information. You can also claim your rewards at this time.
+
+## Purge validator session keys
+
+Purging the validator's session keys removes the key reference. This can be done through the
+`session.purgeKeys()` extrinsic. The key reference exists on the account that originally called the
+`session.set_keys()` extrinsic, which could be the stash or the staking proxy (at the time the keys
+were set).
+
+!!!warning "Purge keys using the same account that set the keys"
+    Make sure to call the session.purge_keys() extrinsic from the same account that set the keys in the
+    first place in order for the correct reference to be removed. Calling the `session.purge_keys()`
+    from the wrong account, although it may succeed, will result in a reference on the other account
+    that **cannot** be removed, and as a result that account cannot be reaped.
+
+!!!warning
+    **If you skip this step, you will not be able to reap your stash account**, and you will also need
+    to rebond, purge the session keys, unbond, and wait the unbonding period again before being able to
+    transfer your tokens.
+
+    See Unbonding and Rebonding for more details.
+
+
+## Unbond your tokens
+
+Unbonding your tokens can be done through the `Network > Staking > Account actions` page in
+PolkadotJS Apps by clicking the corresponding stash account dropdown and selecting "Unbond funds".
+This can also be done through the `staking.unbond()` extrinsic with the staking proxy account.