# Change node roles

```json metadata
{
  "schema_version": 2,
  "title": "Change node roles",
  "description": "Change node roles to demote the primary node to a secondary node or promote a secondary node to become the primary node.",
  "categories": ["docs","operate","rs"],
  "tableOfContents": {"sections":[{"id":"demote-primary-node","title":"Demote primary node"},{"id":"promote-secondary-node","title":"Promote secondary node"}]}

,
  "codeExamples": []
}
```


A Redis Software cluster contains a primary node, which coordinates cluster-wide management operations, and multiple secondary nodes. Nodes with either role can host database shards.

## Demote primary node

To demote the primary node to a secondary node using the Cluster Manager UI:

1. On the **Nodes** screen, click ![More actions button](https://redis.io/docs/latest/images/rs/buttons/button-toggle-actions-vertical.png#no-click) for the primary node you want to demote.

    ![Click the more actions button for a node to access node actions.](https://redis.io/docs/latest/images/rs/screenshots/nodes/primary-node-more-actions.png)

1. Select **Set as a secondary node** from the list.

1. Select one of the options to determine the new primary node:

    - **Automatically**: The cluster decides which node becomes the new primary node.

    - **Choose specific node**: You can manually select which node becomes the new primary node.

    ![The Set as a secondary node dialog has two options to select the new primary node, either automatically or manually.](https://redis.io/docs/latest/images/rs/screenshots/nodes/primary-node-set-as-secondary-dialog.png)

1. Click **Confirm**.

## Promote secondary node

To promote a secondary node to become the primary node using the Cluster Manager UI:

1. On the **Nodes** screen, click ![More actions button](https://redis.io/docs/latest/images/rs/buttons/button-toggle-actions-vertical.png#no-click) for the secondary node you want to promote.

    ![Click the more actions button for a node to access node actions.](https://redis.io/docs/latest/images/rs/screenshots/nodes/secondary-nodes-more-actions.png)

1. Select **Set as the primary node** from the list.

1. Click **Confirm**.

After this node becomes the primary node, all cluster management traffic is directed to it.