> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.jibchain.net/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.jibchain.net/advisories/key-management.md). # Key management To become a validator you'll need to know about managing keys and protecting a mnemonic. If you are not yet familiar with keys and mnemonics, please do not proceed. We'll help you create a signing key for every validator you want to run. You may choose to provide a withdrawal address for your validator when generating your deposit data, which will permanently set the withdrawal address. This is recommended for most users. If you do not provide a withdrawal address with your initial deposit data, you will need to derive your withdrawal keys from your mnemonic at a later time, so **store your mnemonic safely**—it will be the ONLY way to withdraw your ETH when you choose to activate withdrawals. * [x] I understand that keys are my responsibility and that my mnemonic (seed) will be the **ONLY WAY** to withdraw my funds if I don't provide a withdrawal address with initial deposit data. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.jibchain.net/advisories/key-management.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.