> ## 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.

# Introduction

> Welcome to the CreateDAO v2 documentation.

## What is CreateDAO?

CreateDAO is an open-source platform for deploying complete, independent DAO governance systems on EVM-compatible blockchains. Built on battle-tested **OpenZeppelin Governor** contracts, CreateDAO v2 provides a secure, standardized foundation for decentralized organizations.

Each DAO deployment includes three core components:

* **DAOToken** - ERC20 governance token with voting power (ERC20Votes)
* **DAOGovernor** - Proposal and voting management with OpenZeppelin extensions
* **TimelockController** - Secure treasury with execution delay

All three contracts are deployed in a single transaction via the **DAOFactory**, using the gas-efficient EIP-1167 minimal proxy (Clones) pattern.

## Why OpenZeppelin Governor?

Version 2 is a complete rewrite, rebuilt from the ground up using OpenZeppelin's industry-standard governance contracts instead of custom implementations. This brings:

* **Security**: Battle-tested, audited contracts trusted by the ecosystem
* **Compatibility**: Works seamlessly with existing governance tools (Tally, Defender)
* **Simplicity**: Proven patterns instead of custom logic
* **Standards**: Full compliance with governance standards (ERC-6372, ERC-5805)

## Key Features

### Auto-Delegation

Token holders automatically receive voting power when they receive tokens for the first time. No manual delegation step required - your tokens are ready to vote immediately.

### Secure Treasury

The TimelockController holds 99% of the token supply and acts as the DAO's treasury. All fund movements require governance approval and include a 1-day execution delay for security.

### Manager Role

Each DAO has an on-chain **Manager** address that can be queried via RPC. This role is designed for integration with DAO management platforms like **OpenBook** - providing on-chain authorization for off-chain operations.

The Manager address:

* Is set to the DAO creator at deployment
* Can only be changed through governance proposals
* Serves as the "on-chain source of truth" for operational authority
* Enables trusted individuals to manage day-to-day operations while maintaining transparency

**OpenBook Integration**: [OpenBook](https://openbook.so) is a transparent ERP/CRM/POS platform built specifically for DAOs managing Real World Assets. It uses the Manager role to verify authorization while providing complete financial transparency - all accounting data is public, ensuring accountability without voting fatigue.

### Gas Efficient

Using EIP-1167 minimal proxies, each new DAO costs significantly less gas to deploy. Token and Governor contracts are only 45 bytes each, with all logic delegated to shared implementation contracts.

### Token Distribution

* **1% to Creator**: Enables the creator to meet quorum and create initial proposals
* **99% to Treasury**: Held securely in the TimelockController, distributed through governance

## Architecture Overview

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart TD
    Factory["DAOFactory<br/>- Deploys implementations once in constructor<br/>- Creates complete DAO systems via Clones (EIP-1167)<br/>- Tracks all deployed DAOs"]
    
    Token["DAOToken (Proxy)<br/>EIP-1167<br/><br/>ERC20Votes<br/>ERC20Permit<br/>Auto-delegate<br/><br/>1% → Creator<br/>99% → Treasury"]
    
    Timelock["TimelockController<br/>(Treasury)<br/><br/>Holds 99% tokens<br/>1-day delay"]
    
    Governor["DAOGovernor (Proxy)<br/>EIP-1167<br/><br/>Governor<br/>+ Extensions<br/>+ Manager role<br/><br/>Quorum: 1%<br/>Threshold: 1%"]
    
    Factory -->|"createDAO()"| Token
    Factory -->|"createDAO()"| Timelock
    Factory -->|"createDAO()"| Governor
```

## Default Governance Settings

| Setting             | Value  | Description                                       |
| ------------------- | ------ | ------------------------------------------------- |
| Creator Allocation  | 1%     | Tokens sent to DAO creator (auto-delegated)       |
| Treasury Allocation | 99%    | Tokens held in TimelockController                 |
| Quorum              | 1%     | Minimum participation for valid proposals         |
| Proposal Threshold  | 1%     | Tokens required to create proposals               |
| Voting Delay        | 1 day  | Time before voting starts after proposal creation |
| Voting Period       | 1 week | Duration of the voting period                     |
| Timelock Delay      | 1 day  | Execution delay after proposal passes             |

All governance parameters can be updated later through governance proposals.

## Supported Networks

CreateDAO v2 is deployed on:

* **Ethereum** (Mainnet)
* **Arbitrum One** (L2)
* **Sepolia** (Testnet)

The DAOFactory uses deterministic CREATE2 deployment, enabling identical addresses across networks.

## Who is This Documentation For?

This documentation is intended for:

* **Community Leaders & Founders**: Launch a DAO for your project or organization
* **Developers**: Integrate with CreateDAO or build on top of it
* **DAO Members**: Understand how your CreateDAO-based organization functions
* **Anyone Curious About DAOs**: Learn about DAO architecture and the OpenZeppelin Governor pattern

## Open Source

All code is publicly available and open source:

* **Contracts Repository**: [createDAO/v2-core](https://github.com/createDAO/v2-core)
* **Interface Repository**: [createDAO/interface](https://github.com/createDAO/interface)
* **License**: MIT License

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Getting Started" icon="rocket" href="/getting-started">
    Learn the basics and create your first DAO
  </Card>

  <Card title="DAOFactory Contract" icon="code" href="/contracts/dao-factory">
    Technical reference for the factory contract
  </Card>

  <Card title="Creating a DAO" icon="book" href="/tutorials/creating-dao">
    Step-by-step tutorial
  </Card>

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