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

# Contracts — Hire Talent Before Work Begins | Fundwork

> Use Fundwork Contracts to select a worker upfront, define milestones, and pay in USDC on Base as each stage of work is approved and complete.

Contracts let you choose exactly who does the work before a single line is written or a pixel is placed. Post your scope, review applicants, hire the right person, then move through milestones together — paying out USDC on Base each time you approve a completed stage.

## How contracts work

<Steps>
  <Step title="Post your contract">
    Describe the work, set the total USDC amount, and define a timeline. Add as much context as you can — the more specific your brief, the stronger your applicant pool.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review applicants">
    Interested workers apply directly to your contract. Read through their proposals, check their experience, and compare candidates at your own pace.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Hire">
    Select the applicant you want to work with. They are notified immediately and work begins once both sides are ready.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Work through milestones">
    Your contract progresses milestone by milestone. The worker delivers each stage; you review the output before moving on.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve completed work">
    When a milestone meets your requirements, mark it approved. Unapproved milestones stay open until the work is right.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pay in USDC">
    Approved milestone work is paid in USDC on Base. Repeat until every milestone is complete and the project is wrapped.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Milestones

Milestones are optional, but strongly recommended for anything beyond a simple one-step deliverable. They break a larger project into discrete, reviewable chunks — so you only pay for work you have actually approved.

Each milestone has:

* **A title** — a short label that describes the deliverable (e.g. *Wireframes*, *Final design*, *Dev handoff*)
* **A USDC amount** — the portion of the total budget released when that milestone is approved

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Example: Product landing page" icon="layout">
    **\$1,200 USDC · Design + Development · 2 weeks**

    * Wireframes — \$300 USDC
    * Final design — \$400 USDC
    * Dev handoff — \$500 USDC
  </Card>

  <Card title="Example: Brand system refresh" icon="palette">
    **\$900 USDC · Design · 3 weeks**

    * Direction — \$300 USDC
    * System delivered — \$600 USDC
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## What contracts are good for

Use a contract any time you want to work with one specific person over a defined scope:

* **Web development** — front-end builds, landing pages, integrations
* **Design** — brand systems, UI/UX, visual identity
* **Video editing** — short-form content, product walkthroughs, launch clips
* **Research** — market analysis, competitive audits, user interviews
* **Marketing** — copywriting, campaign strategy, SEO
* **Ongoing support** — retainer-style work structured as recurring milestones

<Tip>
  If you already know a worker you want to hire, contracts give you a direct path to get started quickly with a clear, milestone-backed agreement.
</Tip>

<Note>
  Fundwork is currently in **alpha**. The contracts experience is live and actively being refined. Expect updates as the platform evolves.
</Note>