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

# Getting Started

> Quick start guide for CreateDAO v2

# Getting Started

Welcome to CreateDAO v2! This guide will help you understand the basics and get you ready to create your first DAO.

## What You'll Need

Before creating a DAO, make sure you have:

1. **A Web3 Wallet**
   * MetaMask (recommended)
   * Coinbase Wallet
   * WalletConnect-compatible wallets
   * Any EVM-compatible wallet

2. **Cryptocurrency for Gas Fees**
   * **Ethereum Mainnet**: varies by network conditions
   * **Arbitrum One**: low gas fees (paid in ETH)
   * **Sepolia Testnet**: Free SepoliaETH from [faucets](https://sepoliafaucet.com)

3. **Basic Understanding**
   * What a DAO is
   * How blockchain transactions work
   * Gas fees and wallet confirmation

<Tip>
  **First time?** We recommend starting on Sepolia testnet to familiarize yourself with the process before deploying to mainnet.
</Tip>

***

## Quick Overview: What is CreateDAO v2?

CreateDAO v2 is a platform for deploying complete DAO governance systems using **OpenZeppelin Governor** - the industry-standard framework for on-chain governance.

### What You Get

When you create a DAO, you deploy three smart contracts in one transaction:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="DAOToken" icon="coins">
    ERC20 governance token with automatic voting power activation
  </Card>

  <Card title="DAOGovernor" icon="users">
    Proposal and voting system with OpenZeppelin extensions
  </Card>

  <Card title="TimelockController" icon="vault">
    Secure treasury holding 99% of tokens with 1-day execution delay
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Key Features

**Auto-Delegation**

* No manual delegation required
* Voting power activates automatically when you receive tokens
* Ready to vote immediately

**Secure Treasury**

* 99% of tokens held in timelock
* All treasury actions require governance approval
* 1-day delay before execution for security

**Manager Role**

* On-chain authorization for DAO management
* Changeable only through governance
* Designed for integration with platforms like OpenBook

**Gas Efficient**

* Uses EIP-1167 minimal proxies (clones)
* Token and Governor proxies are only 45 bytes each
* \~69% gas savings vs traditional deployment

***

## Understanding the Architecture

```
Your DAO = Token + Governor + Treasury
```

### 1. DAOToken (ERC20Votes)

Your governance token gives holders voting power:

* **Standard**: ERC20 with 18 decimals
* **Voting Power**: Built-in checkpoint system
* **Auto-Delegation**: Automatically activates when tokens are received
* **Distribution**: 1% to creator, 99% to treasury

### 2. DAOGovernor (OpenZeppelin Governor)

The governance contract manages your DAO:

* **Proposals**: Any token holder with 1%+ can propose
* **Voting**: FOR, AGAINST, or ABSTAIN
* **Quorum**: Minimum 1% participation required
* **Extensions**: Includes all standard OZ Governor features
* **Manager Role**: Special address for off-chain authorization

### 3. TimelockController (Treasury)

The secure treasury holds DAO assets:

* **Holds**: 99% of token supply
* **Delay**: 1 day between proposal passing and execution
* **Security**: Prevents rushed or malicious actions
* **Control**: Only governance can move funds

***

## The Governance Process

### Creating a Proposal

1. You need **1% of token supply** to propose
2. Proposal includes: target contracts, values, calldata, and description
3. Voting delay starts (default: 1 day)

### Voting Period

1. After delay, voting opens for a set period (default: 1 week)
2. Token holders cast votes: FOR, AGAINST, or ABSTAIN
3. Voting power = token balance at proposal creation time

### Execution

1. If quorum met (1%+) and majority votes FOR, proposal succeeds
2. Proposal is queued in the timelock
3. After 1-day delay, anyone can execute
4. Actions are executed on-chain

***

## Common Use Cases

### Community Organization

Perfect for:

* Online communities wanting shared decision-making
* Content creator DAOs
* Gaming guilds
* Social clubs going on-chain

### Business Operations

Ideal for:

* RWA (Real World Asset) management
* Transparent business operations
* Multi-stakeholder companies
* Service cooperatives

**Integration**: Use with [OpenBook](https://openbook.so) for full ERP/CRM/POS with radical transparency.

### Investment Groups

Great for:

* Collective investment decisions
* Treasury management
* Fund allocation
* Grant programs

***

## Token Distribution Strategy

When you create a DAO:

* **You get 1%** - Enough to meet quorum and create initial proposals
* **Treasury gets 99%** - Distributed through governance

### Why 1%?

The 1% allocation is carefully chosen because:

* OpenZeppelin Governor requires minimum 1% quorum
* You need exactly 1% to bootstrap governance
* After setup, you can propose distributing tokens to members

### Distributing to Members

After creating your DAO, create proposals to:

1. Transfer tokens from treasury to founding members
2. Set up vesting schedules (via custom contracts)
3. Reward contributors
4. Build your community

***

## Governance Parameters

You'll choose these when creating your DAO:

| Parameter              | Recommended   | Description                     |
| ---------------------- | ------------- | ------------------------------- |
| **Voting Delay**       | 1 day         | Time before voting starts       |
| **Voting Period**      | 1 week        | How long voting lasts           |
| **Quorum**             | 1% (fixed)    | Minimum participation           |
| **Proposal Threshold** | 1% (fixed)    | Tokens needed to propose        |
| **Timelock Delay**     | 1 day (fixed) | Security delay before execution |

<Note>
  Voting Delay and Voting Period can be customized during creation. Other parameters are set to optimal defaults and can be changed later through governance.
</Note>

***

## Supported Networks

CreateDAO v2 is currently deployed on:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Ethereum Mainnet" icon="layer-group">
    Chain ID: 1

    Production-ready deployment
  </Card>

  <Card title="Arbitrum One" icon="bolt">
    Chain ID: 42161

    Low-cost L2 deployment
  </Card>

  <Card title="Sepolia Testnet" icon="flask">
    Chain ID: 11155111

    Test your DAO for free
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

More networks coming soon! Follow us on [Twitter](https://x.com/createdao) for announcements.

***

## Next Steps

Ready to create your DAO? Follow our step-by-step tutorial:

<Card title="Creating a DAO Tutorial" icon="book-open" href="/tutorials/creating-dao">
  Complete walkthrough with screenshots and troubleshooting
</Card>

Or dive into the technical details:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="DAOFactory Contract" icon="code" href="/contracts/dao-factory">
    Technical reference
  </Card>

  <Card title="Deployed Contracts" icon="map-pin" href="/deployed-contracts">
    Contract addresses
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

***

## Getting Help

Need assistance? We're here to help:

* **Discord**: [discord.gg/HnRmtP2fph](https://discord.gg/HnRmtP2fph)
* **Telegram**: [t.me/createdao\_org](https://t.me/createdao_org)
* **Twitter**: [@createdao](https://x.com/createdao)
* **GitHub**: [github.com/createDAO](https://github.com/createDAO)

***

## Additional Resources

### Learn About Governance

* [OpenZeppelin Governor Documentation](https://docs.openzeppelin.com/contracts/5.x/governance)
* [Tally Governance Platform](https://tally.xyz)
* [Governance Parameter Guide](/governance/parameters)

### Integration

* [OpenBook](https://openbook.so) - Transparent ERP for DAOs managing real world assets
* Build your own tools using our open-source contracts

### Community Examples

Check out DAOs built with CreateDAO:

* Browse on [Tally](https://tally.xyz)
* View on block explorers (Ethereum, Arbitrum, Sepolia)
* Learn from existing governance proposals

***

**Ready to get started?** [Create your DAO now →](https://createdao.org)