open-vault/website/content/api-docs/system/init.mdx

---
layout: api
page_title: /sys/init - HTTP API
description: The `/sys/init` endpoint is used to initialize a new Vault.
---

# `/sys/init`

The `/sys/init` endpoint is used to initialize a new Vault.

## Read Initialization Status

This endpoint returns the initialization status of Vault.

| Method | Path        |
| :----- | :---------- |
| `GET`  | `/sys/init` |

### Sample Request

```shell-session
$ curl \
    http://127.0.0.1:8200/v1/sys/init
```

### Sample Response

```json
{
  "initialized": true
}
```

## Start Initialization

This endpoint initializes a new Vault. The Vault must not have been previously
initialized. The recovery options, as well as the stored shares option, are only
available when using Auto Unseal.

| Method | Path        |
| :----- | :---------- |
| `POST`  | `/sys/init` |

### Parameters

- `pgp_keys` `(array<string>: nil)` – Specifies an array of PGP public keys used
  to encrypt the output unseal keys. Ordering is preserved. The keys must be
  base64-encoded from their original binary representation. The size of this
  array must be the same as `secret_shares`.

- `root_token_pgp_key` `(string: "")` – Specifies a PGP public key used to
  encrypt the initial root token. The key must be base64-encoded from its
  original binary representation.

- `secret_shares` `(int: <required>)` – Specifies the number of shares to
  split the root key into.

- `secret_threshold` `(int: <required>)` – Specifies the number of shares
  required to reconstruct the root key. This must be less than or equal
  `secret_shares`.

Additionally, the following options are only supported using Auto Unseal:

- `stored_shares` `(int: <required>)` – Specifies the number of shares that
  should be encrypted by the HSM and stored for auto-unsealing. Currently must
  be the same as `secret_shares`.

- `recovery_shares` `(int: <required>)` – Specifies the number of shares to
  split the recovery key into.

- `recovery_threshold` `(int: <required>)` – Specifies the number of shares
  required to reconstruct the recovery key. This must be less than or equal to
  `recovery_shares`.

- `recovery_pgp_keys` `(array<string>: nil)` – Specifies an array of PGP public
  keys used to encrypt the output recovery keys. Ordering is preserved. The keys
  must be base64-encoded from their original binary representation. The size of
  this array must be the same as `recovery_shares`.

### Sample Payload

```json
{
  "secret_shares": 10,
  "secret_threshold": 5
}
```

### Sample Request

```shell-session
$ curl \
    --request POST \
    --data @payload.json \
    http://127.0.0.1:8200/v1/sys/init
```

### Sample Response

A JSON-encoded object including the (possibly encrypted, if `pgp_keys` was
provided) root keys, base 64 encoded root keys and initial root token:

```json
{
  "keys": ["one", "two", "three"],
  "keys_base64": ["cR9No5cBC", "F3VLrkOo", "zIDSZNGv"],
  "root_token": "foo"
}
```