> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.x402layer.cc/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Unstake & Cooldown

> Begin withdrawing a position — start the cooldown, stop earning new rewards, keep what you've accrued.

Unstaking begins the exit. It does **not** move your tokens yet — it starts your tier's [cooldown](/staking/concepts/cooldowns) and flips the position to `unstaking`.

## What happens when you unstake

<Steps>
  <Step title="Status flips">Your position moves from `active` to `unstaking`.</Step>
  <Step title="Unlock time is set">The engine snapshots an absolute unlock time = now + your tier's cooldown (Compute 1d · Validator 2d · Yield 12h). This value is fixed and can't be changed on you later.</Step>
  <Step title="Rewards settle">Everything you've accrued so far is locked into your owed balance and stays claimable. New rewards stop accruing — an `unstaking` position no longer earns.</Step>
</Steps>

## Important details

* **You keep accrued rewards.** Unstaking snapshots what you've earned; you can still [claim](/staking/rewards/claiming) it. You just stop earning *new* rewards from that position.
* **Your principal stays in the vault** during the cooldown — it isn't returned until you [withdraw](/staking/lifecycle/withdraw) after the unlock time.
* **Unstaking is always available** — even if the program is paused, exits are never blocked.
* **You can't unstake twice.** A position already `unstaking` is in motion; the next step is to withdraw.

<Warning>An `unstaking` position earns no new rewards. If you change your mind, withdrawing and re-staking opens a fresh position whose rewards start from that point — there's no way to "resume" the old reward stream.</Warning>

Next: [Withdraw](/staking/lifecycle/withdraw) once the cooldown elapses.