> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.leather.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.leather.io/stacking/join-stacking-pool.md).

# Stake STX with a pool

STX-only staking with a pool on app.leather.io/staking, from amount and duration to rewards payout and confirmation.

## Stake STX

1. Go to [app.leather.io/staking](https://app.leather.io/staking) and click "Connect" to connect the Leather extension.
2. Under "Stacks staking pools", click "Start earning" next to the pool you choose.
3. Under "Amount", enter the "Amount of STX to stake". It must be at least the pool's minimum.
4. Under "Duration", set the "Staking duration (1–96 cycles)". Leather shows the scheduled end.
5. Under "Rewards payout", choose how rewards reach you. See below.
6. Read "Details" and "Staking conditions".
7. Tick the box "I understand the lock and payout details above".
8. Click "Confirm and start staking" and approve the transaction in Leather.

The page then shows "Your stake is confirming". Your STX locks at the start of the next cycle and earns from that cycle on.

## Rewards payout

* **"sBTC":** rewards are paid to your Stacks address in sBTC once a cycle ends. Most pools claim them for you.
* **"BTC":** rewards are withdrawn from sBTC to the "BTC address" you enter, which costs a Bitcoin network fee. "Max withdrawal fee (sats)" caps that fee, and it comes out of each payout. A payout waits until your rewards exceed it. Some pools also offer "Minimum claim (sats)": below that amount, only you can trigger a payout.

Some pools pay sBTC only. A pool with a custodial BTC payout asks for a "BTC payout address" instead and pays you off chain.

## When you can stake

Staking closes in the last 100 Bitcoin blocks of every cycle, while the network sets the signers for the next cycle. The pool page counts down with "Staking closes in", then shows "Staking is briefly paused". It reopens when the next cycle starts.

## Stake with your own signer-manager

1. On app.leather.io/staking, click "Bring your own signer manager".
2. Enter the contract in "Signer manager contract", as `address.contract-name`.
3. Click "Continue". Leather checks the contract, then shows the same form as above.

## Ledger

Staking with a Ledger device needs the Stacks app 0.26.15 or later on the device. See [Connect Leather with Your Ledger Hardware Wallet](/get-started/connect-ledger.md).

## Related

* [Staking amount](/stacking-and-sbtc-reference/stacking-amount.md)
* [Staking duration](/stacking-and-sbtc-reference/stacking-duration.md)
* [Staking rewards address](/stacking-and-sbtc-reference/stacking-rewards-address.md)
* [Track your STX-only staking rewards](/stacking/track-stacking-rewards.md)