---
title: Validator Commands
slug: v00/validator-commands
description: Learn how to use Solana validator software effectively with this comprehensive guide. Discover commands to access the help file, monitor connected machines, view validator statuses, follow log files, gracefully shut down validators, and obtain configurati
docTags: 
createdAt: 2023-08-21T02:39:22.358Z
---

# Help

Check the help file. 

Add `--help` behind ANY validator command to get help on that command or subcommand (ie `solana validators --help`)

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux
solana --help
```
:::

#

# Gossip

Check the machines connected to the cluster

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux
solana gossip
```
:::

#

# Validators

Check the current and delinquent validators, stake and software version.

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux
solana validators
```
:::

This will sort by highest skip-rate.

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux
solana validators --sort skip-rate --reverse
```
:::

#

# Delinquent Validators

Show only delinquent validators by grep for the ⚠️ symbol

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux

solana validators | grep -P '\x{26A0}'
```

CLI

```linux
solana validators | grep ⚠️ 
```
:::

#

# LOGS

Follow the log file (it moves fast, can be combined with options such as pipe to grep)

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux
tail -f xand-validator.log
```
:::

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux
tail -f xand-validator.log | grep "search terms"
```
:::

#

# EXIT

To properly shut down a validator

Use exit command to:

- Check for upcoming leader slots
  - Note: with our cluster size, we will almost always be missing leader slots by shutting down so we need to bypass this check with `--min-idle-time`
- Check cluster for delinquent stake
- Take local snapshot
- Stop your validator

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux
solana-validator --ledger ~/ledger exit --max-delinquent-stake 10 --min-idle-time 0 --monitor
```
:::

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/ePevXmvzgG-7aqJ72Gpg_/Yfk--p-f7d2S50x_VMsSA_screenshot-2023-08-20-215530.png "Exit is holding for upcoming leader slot")

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/ePevXmvzgG-7aqJ72Gpg_/Y9W6cuiUzqlgbxnKBuEFs_screenshot-2023-08-20-220527.png)

:::hint{type="warning"}
NOTE: If you have a system service set up on the machine, then you also need to `stop` the service or it will auto-restart!
:::

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux
sudo systemctl stop xand.service
```
:::

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux
sudo systemctl status xand.service
```
:::

#

# Get Config

:::CodeblockTabs
CLI

```linux
solana config get
```
:::