> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.toku.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Understanding Vesting

> How token vesting works and tracking your schedule

## What is Vesting?

Vesting is the process of earning your tokens over time. When you receive a grant, the tokens don't belong to you all at once — you earn them gradually according to a vesting schedule.

***

## How Vesting Works

### The Cliff

Most grants have a **cliff period** — an initial waiting period before any tokens vest. If you leave before the cliff, you typically forfeit all tokens.

### After the Cliff

Once the cliff passes, a chunk of tokens vest immediately. After that, tokens continue vesting on a regular schedule (usually monthly).

***

## Example: 10,000 Token Grant with 4-Year Vesting, 1-Year Cliff

| Timeline   | Event                        | Tokens Vested | Total  |
| ---------- | ---------------------------- | ------------- | ------ |
| Month 0    | Grant starts                 | 0             | 0      |
| Month 1–11 | Cliff period (nothing vests) | 0             | 0      |
| Month 12   | **Cliff!** 25% vests         | 2,500         | 2,500  |
| Month 13   | Monthly vest                 | \~208         | 2,708  |
| Month 14   | Monthly vest                 | \~208         | 2,917  |
| ...        | ...                          | ...           | ...    |
| Month 48   | **Fully vested**             | \~208         | 10,000 |

***

## Key Terms

| Term                  | Definition                                           |
| --------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| **Unvested**          | Tokens you haven't earned yet                        |
| **Vested**            | Tokens you've earned and can receive                 |
| **Cliff**             | Waiting period before any tokens vest                |
| **Vesting Frequency** | How often tokens vest (monthly, quarterly, annually) |
| **Fully Vested**      | All tokens in the grant have vested                  |

***

## Tracking Your Vesting

In the TGA portal:

1. Go to **Grants** and click on a grant
2. View the **Vesting Schedule** tab
3. See a timeline of past and upcoming vesting events
4. Check how many tokens are currently vested vs unvested

***

## What Happens When You Leave

| Scenario             | Result                                   |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Before cliff**     | All tokens forfeited                     |
| **After cliff**      | Keep vested tokens, forfeit unvested     |
| **Fully vested**     | Keep all tokens                          |
| **Terminated grant** | Vesting recalculated to termination date |

Your organization's admin handles the termination process. Check your grant agreement for specific terms regarding departure.

***

## Vesting Frequencies

| Frequency     | How It Works                             |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Monthly**   | Tokens vest once per month (most common) |
| **Quarterly** | Tokens vest every 3 months               |
| **Annually**  | Tokens vest once per year                |

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Wallet Setup" icon="wallet" href="/tga/user/wallet-setup">
    Set up your wallet to receive vested tokens
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tax Documents" icon="file-lines" href="/tga/user/tax-documents">
    Understand tax implications
  </Card>
</CardGroup>