1---
2layout: docs
3page_title: operator - Command
4sidebar_title: <code>operator</code>
5description: |-
6  The "operator" command groups subcommands for operators interacting with
7  Vault. Most users will not need to interact with these commands.
8---
9
10# operator
11
12The `operator` command groups subcommands for operators interacting with Vault.
13Most users will not need to interact with these commands.
14
15## Examples
16
17Initialize a new Vault cluster:
18
19```text
20$ vault operator init
21Unseal Key 1: sP/4C/fwIDjJmHEC2bi/1Pa43uKhsUQMmiB31GRzFc0R
22Unseal Key 2: kHkw2xTBelbDFIMEgEC8NVX7NDSAZ+rdgBJ/HuJwxOX+
23Unseal Key 3: +1+1ZnkQDfJFHDZPRq0wjFxEuEEHxDDOQxa8JJ/AYWcb
24Unseal Key 4: cewseNJTLovmFrgpyY+9Hi5OgJlJgGGCg7PZyiVdPwN0
25Unseal Key 5: wyd7rMGWX5fi0k36X4e+C4myt5CoTmJsHJ0rdYT7BQcF
26
27Initial Root Token: 6662bb4a-afd0-4b6b-faad-e237fb564568
28
29# ...
30```
31
32Force a Vault to resign leadership in a cluster:
33
34```text
35$ vault operator step-down
36Success! Stepped down: https://127.0.0.1:8200
37```
38
39Rotate Vault's underlying encryption key:
40
41```text
42$ vault operator rotate
43Success! Rotated key
44
45Key Term        2
46Install Time    01 Jan 07 12:30 UTC
47```
48
49## Usage
50
51```text
52Usage: vault operator <subcommand> [options] [args]
53
54  # ...
55
56Subcommands:
57    generate-root    Generates a new root token
58    init             Initializes a server
59    key-status       Provides information about the active encryption key
60    rekey            Generates new unseal keys
61    rotate           Rotates the underlying encryption key
62    seal             Seals the Vault server
63    step-down        Forces Vault to resign active duty
64    unseal           Unseals the Vault server
65```
66
67For more information, examples, and usage about a subcommand, click on the name
68of the subcommand in the sidebar.
69