HotKeyAlreadyDelegate

Error Re-added v151 → v212, v216 → v219, v233 → v315, v320 → current 7.27

This hotkey is already registered as a delegate.

Encountered by: validatorsstakersdevelopers

Why This Error Exists

Becoming a delegate is a one-time action that enables your hotkey to receive stake from other coldkeys. Once you're a delegate, others can stake to your hotkey and earn a share of your rewards (minus your take). This error simply means your hotkey is already set up to accept delegations - you can proceed with other operations.

Deep Dive

The Delegates storage maps hotkey -> bool. When become_delegate is called, it sets this to true and initializes your delegate take (the percentage of delegator rewards you keep). The take defaults to a standard rate but can be adjusted with increase_take or decrease_take. Trying to become a delegate twice is harmless but redundant.

Debugging Example

You call become_delegate(hotkey=5Xyz...). Error: HotKeyAlreadyDelegate. Query Delegates(5Xyz...) - returns true. Your hotkey is already a delegate! This is actually good news. Query DelegateTake(5Xyz...) to see your current take rate, then proceed with operations.

Prevention Tips

  • Query Delegates(hotkey) before calling become_delegate
  • If it returns true, skip the become_delegate call
  • Handle this error as a success case in automation scripts

From Chain Metadata

The hotkey is attempting to become a delegate when the hotkey is already a delegate.

What This Means

This hotkey is already registered as a delegate.

Common Causes

  • Called become_delegate on an already-delegate hotkey
  • Previous delegate registration succeeded

How to Fix

  • Check SubtensorModule.Delegates to verify delegate status
  • If already a delegate, proceed with other operations
  • Use increase_take or decrease_take to modify existing delegate

Storage to Check

Thrown By

Version History

v151 block 3,157,274 Added
v216 block 4,510,996 Re-added
v233 block 4,920,350 Re-added
v320 block 6,523,566 Re-added Current

Runtime Info

Pallet Index
7
Error Index
27
Error Code
7.27
Runtime Version
v393