> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.townsq.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.townsq.xyz/institution-backed-yield-vault-features/yield-vault/guides.md).

# Guides

## Depositing

Depositing is standard ERC-4626 and works as you would expect. Approve the vault, then deposit.

### Steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Approve the vault

```bash
cast send <asset> "approve(address,uint256)" <vault> <amount> \
  --rpc-url <rpc> --private-key $PK
```

{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Deposit

```bash
cast send <vault> "deposit(uint256,address)" <amount> <you> \
  --rpc-url <rpc> --private-key $PK
```

Returns the number of shares minted. Alternatively, `mint(shares, receiver)` if you want an exact share count and are willing to let the asset amount vary.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Confirm

```bash
cast call <vault> "balanceOf(address)(uint256)" <you> --rpc-url <rpc>
```

{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### What to know

**There is no deposit fee.** Entry is free. The only fee you pay as a depositor is the exit fee on redemption. There is also no ongoing management fee.

**Your assets leave the vault immediately.** The deposit is forwarded to the Manager contract in the same transaction. This is by design, and it is why withdrawal requires a cooldown — see Withdrawing.

**There is a minimum deposit size.** It is expressed in shares, not assets. Deposits below it revert with `InvalidMinShares`.

```bash
cast call <manager> "minSharesInVaultToken(address)(uint256)" <vault> --rpc-url <rpc>
```

**You start earning from the next report.** Yield is credited through periodic reports, and profit vests over several days. A deposit made shortly before a report will not capture the full epoch's yield — this is deliberate, and it protects existing depositors from being diluted. See The share price.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Sizing a large position.** If `maxRedeemCap` is non-zero, you can only redeem up to that amount per request, and you can only have one request pending at a time. A position larger than the cap must be exited sequentially — cooldown, collect, request again. Factor that into how long a full exit would take.
{% endhint %}

### Errors you might hit

| Error              | Cause                                              |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| `InvalidMinShares` | Deposit is below the minimum share threshold       |
| `InvalidDeposit`   | Zero amount, zero shares, or zero receiver address |
| `EnforcedPause`    | The vault is paused                                |
| ERC-20 revert      | Insufficient approval or balance                   |