> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.buoy.finance/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.buoy.finance/for-vault-leaders/creating-a-vault.md). # Creating a Vault Anyone can become a **Leader** by creating a vault. The whole process takes about a minute and costs about 1 USDC. ## What you'll need * A wallet connected to **HyperEVM** — the connected address becomes the vault's Leader. * **\~1 USDC** for the creation seed (exactly 1.000001 USDC) and a little **HYPE** for gas. ## The creation wizard Click **Create Vault** and fill in the form: | Field | Rules | Notes | | --------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Vault avatar** | Optional. PNG, JPEG, WebP or GIF, max 2 MB | Compressed in your browser before upload. Without one, the app generates an avatar from the vault's address. | | **Vault Name** | Free text | The display name shown across the app. | | **Vault Ticker** | Exactly **3 characters** | Your share token's on-chain symbol becomes `buoy` + ticker (e.g. ticker `ABC` → token `buoyABC`). **This is permanent** — it's baked into the ERC-20 contract. | | **Vault Description** | Min. 90 characters | Your pitch to depositors: what you trade, how you manage risk. | | **X profile** | Optional | A handle, `@handle` or a profile URL. Shown as a link in your vault's header. Editable later. | | **Leader** | Read-only | Your connected address. | | **Performance Fee** | 0–50% | The vault's cut of new profits (high-water mark). A fixed slice of it (currently 10%) is the referral fee — the form shows the split live, e.g. *"At 10% you keep 9% of profits"*. You can't change the fee yourself after launch — set it thoughtfully. See [Earning Fees](/for-vault-leaders/earning-fees.md). | | **Min. leader share** | Optional, 0–50% | Your skin in the game: the share of the vault's Buoys you must keep holding for anyone else to deposit. **Fixed forever** — and with it set, you must deposit first or nobody else can. | | **TVL cap** | Optional, USDC | A ceiling on the vault's net value; deposits that would exceed it are refused. Blank = no cap. You can raise or lower it later. | | **Whitelist-only deposits** | Optional toggle | Only addresses you whitelist (each with a position cap) can deposit. Add them after launch from **Manage → Deposit limits**. Can be switched on or off later. | The last three rows are the vault's **deposit limits** — all optional, all enforced by the contracts, and none of them ever restricts a withdrawal. Read [Deposit Limits](/for-vault-leaders/deposit-limits.md) before setting them; the minimum leader share in particular cannot be undone. {% hint style="info" %} Your description and avatar go through automated moderation before they're published. Write a normal, professional strategy pitch and you'll never notice it — the filter targets offensive content, not financial topics. {% endhint %} ## What happens when you click Create The wizard walks through four automatic steps: 1. **Preparing** — your vault's profile (name, description, avatar, X handle) is saved as a draft. 2. **Approving USDC** — you approve the creation seed in your wallet. 3. **Deploying vault** — the vault contract is deployed on-chain. The seed USDC is bridged to HyperCore to open the vault's trading account (it is not minted as shares). 4. **Finalizing** — the draft profile is bound to your new vault's address, after verifying that the on-chain Leader matches. You'll land on a confirmation screen with your vault's address and a link straight into the vault's **Manage** view. {% hint style="warning" %} **Your vault can't trade yet.** A freshly deployed vault still needs a **trading agent** — the HyperCore API wallet you'll use to place trades. Registration at creation time can't work: the seed hasn't landed on HyperCore yet, so the registration would silently no-op. It's a separate one-time transaction from the vault's **Manage** tab. Continue to [Trading Agent](/for-vault-leaders/trading-agent.md). {% endhint %} ## After creation * Your vault appears in the public vault list immediately (toggle **My deposits** or search by name to find it quickly). * It starts with zero deposits — many Leaders make the first deposit themselves, which both seeds the track record and signals skin in the game. Your deposit also shows up publicly on the vault's **Depositors** tab. If you set a **minimum leader share**, this first deposit is mandatory: nobody else can deposit until you hold shares. * If you launched **whitelist-only**, nobody but you can deposit until you add addresses under **Manage → Deposit limits** — see [Deposit Limits](/for-vault-leaders/deposit-limits.md). * The share price starts at **1.00 USDC** and becomes your public track record from day one. * Head to **Manage** to declare your vault's **risk level** and **strategy style** — they show as badges on your vault card, and a vault without them looks unfinished next to one that has them. See [Vault Profile](/for-vault-leaders/vault-profile.md). --- # 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. 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