# ASKING

> Let the next command run on a slot this node is importing, after an ASK redirect.

URL: https://docs.hotkv.com/commands/asking/

```
ASKING
```

- Group: Cluster
- Complexity: O(1)
- HotKV Cloud: all plans
- On-Premise: no license needed

While a slot moves from one node to another, the source node answers a
command on a key that has already moved with `-ASK <slot> <ip>:<port>`. The
client then sends `ASKING` to the node named in the redirect, followed by the
command. `ASKING` lets that one next command run even though the target only
imports the slot and does not own it yet. The flag is cleared after the next
command.

Unlike `-MOVED`, an `-ASK` redirect is temporary: the client keeps sending
other commands for the slot to the source node until the move is done.
Cluster-aware clients, including every HotKV SDK and `redis-cli -c`, handle
this for you.

## Return value

Simple string `OK` in RESP2 and RESP3. With cluster mode off:
`ERR This instance has cluster support disabled`.

## Examples

```
10.0.0.1:6379> GET user:1000
(error) ASK 1649 10.0.0.2:6379
10.0.0.2:6379> ASKING
OK
10.0.0.2:6379> GET user:1000
"alice"
```

## Compatibility

Same as Redis 7 and Valkey 8.

## See also

[CLUSTER SETSLOT](https://docs.hotkv.com/commands/cluster-setslot/index.md), [MIGRATE](https://docs.hotkv.com/commands/migrate/index.md),
[READONLY](https://docs.hotkv.com/commands/readonly/index.md),
[Clustering: Slots and redirects](https://docs.hotkv.com/clustering/index.md#slots-and-redirects)