> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.clarity.vote/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.clarity.vote/clarity-v1/participating-in-a-dao/staking/creating-and-editing-stakes.md).

# Creating and Editing Stakes

[Stakes](/dao-fundamentals/agora-overview.md#stakes) represent governance power in Agora DAOs. Stakes are required to create and vote on Proposals.

### Creating a new Stake

**Step 0: Navigate to the 'Staking' tab of the DAO you would like to create a stake in**

<figure><img src="/files/68PDUGCJXe29INFatLhz" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 1: Click the '+ Create New Stake' button.**

<figure><img src="/files/wfjdyPhMBv320sPLrDVm" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 2: Enter the number of tokens you want to put behind this stake, then click the 'Add to Stake' button**

While it is possible to create multiple stakes, it often makes the most sense to use one stake with all Governance Tokens a DAO member holds placed in that stake. Use the **'Max'**  to stake all of your Governance Tokens if you choose this.

<figure><img src="/files/RU6qLNgSfUMkUcqJZ2iL" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 3: Click the 'Confirm' button**

**Step 4: Sign the Transaction to create your stake**

**Step 5: View your new Stake on the Staking page**

It might take a few minutes to update, but your stake is being submitted on-chain. Refresh your voting power to check if the stake has been recorded.

### Editing Stakes

<figure><img src="/files/5lEBWdWhtsgsd2GXJYJw" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

A Stake must be **Free** to be edited. See: [Restrictions on Editing Stakes](#restrictions-on-editing-and-deleting-stakes)

<figure><img src="/files/vyKYv0da2zRBk7kfImTi" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 1: Click the 'Edit' button**

Find the Stake you would like to edit and click the **'Edit'** button.<br>

<figure><img src="/files/7BOOFdBLRPfG0zrWGkCj" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 2: Specify how you would like to edit your stake**

Choose whether to **'Add'** or **'Remove'** Governance Tokens from the current Stake. Next, specify the number of Governance Tokens to add or remove.

**Step 3: Click the 'Add to Stake' or 'Remove from Stake' button**

<figure><img src="/files/DxKAFYb9csLb2rDDmamm" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Step 4: Click the 'Confirm' button**

**Step 5: Sign the transaction**

**Step 5: View your updated Stake!**

### Deleting Stakes

Deleting a stake returns all of the Governance Tokens held in that stake to the user. A Stake must be **Free** to be deleted. See: [Restrictions on Editing Stakes](#restrictions-on-editing-and-deleting-stakes)

### Restrictions on Editing and Deleting Stakes

Stakes can only be edited or deleted when they are in the [Free](/dao-fundamentals/agora-overview.md#stake-states) state. To unlock Locked Stakes, all votes using this stake must be [Retracted](/clarity-v1/participating-in-a-dao/voting-on-a-proposal.md#retracting-a-vote).