> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.vault.ky/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.vault.ky/getting-started/how-vault-works.md).

# How Vault works

## For contributors

**1. Find a campaign.** Browse Vault and open any live campaign. Each one shows its goal, its deadline, and how much has been raised so far. No account or registration is needed.

**2. Contribute.** Contribute directly from the campaign page with a Solana wallet, or send SOL to the campaign's funding address yourself. Either way your contribution counts toward the goal. Contributions are always in SOL.

**3. Track progress.** The campaign page shows live funding progress, the number of contributors, and time remaining. The funding address is public, so you can verify the balance yourself on any Solana block explorer.

**4. Outcome.** If the campaign satisfies its success conditions, the escrowed funds are used to fulfill its stated purpose. If it does not, eligible refunds are processed automatically according to the protocol's rules.

## For creators

**1. Submit your campaign.** Tell Vault what you are raising for, your funding goal in SOL, your deadline, and the project or token the campaign supports. No wallet connection, account, or registration is required to submit.

**2. Choose a campaign type.** Most campaigns are all-or-nothing: the full goal must be met by the deadline. Charity campaigns work differently — see [Charity campaigns](/campaigns/charity-campaigns.md).

**3. Escrow is created.** A campaign funding address is created automatically on Solana. The goal, deadline, and fee rates are locked at this point and cannot be changed.

**4. The community funds it.** Contributors send SOL into escrow. Progress is public and verifiable throughout.

**5. Outcome.** If the success conditions are met, the escrowed funds are used to fulfill the campaign's stated purpose, and Vault purchases or arranges the associated service or deliverable where that is the campaign's disclosed fulfillment method. Campaign creators do not simply receive unrestricted control over the escrow balance. If the conditions are not met, eligible refunds are processed automatically.

## What happens at the deadline

| Outcome                                            | What happens                                                  |
| -------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Goal reached                                       | The campaign qualifies for fulfillment of its stated purpose. |
| Goal missed (standard campaign)                    | Contributions are automatically refunded.                     |
| Goal missed, 20% or more raised (charity campaign) | The amount raised qualifies for fulfillment.                  |
| Below 20% raised (charity campaign)                | Contributions are automatically refunded.                     |

Refunds are automatic. You do not need to monitor a campaign or take action to recover your contribution when a campaign fails.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.vault.ky/getting-started/how-vault-works.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.