Getting Started with SpiritDAO

What is SpiritDAO?

SpiritDAO is federated infrastructure for self-sovereign communities: a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that lets communities own their data, governance, and treasury. Built on Base (Ethereum Layer 2), it allows communities to organize into "Pods" (working groups) with transparent governance, bounty systems, and event coordination. SpiritDAO is open to new communities and members, so you can join a community or organize your own.

Core Concepts

Pod: A working group or team within the DAO with its own members, leadership, and permissions Hat: A role token that grants specific permissions (powered by Hats Protocol) Governance: On-chain voting system for community decisions Bounties: Task-based rewards system for contributors Events: Community gatherings with NFT-based registration

First Time Setup

SpiritDAO is open enrollment: download the app, connect with a community, or organize your own. There is no invitation gate.

Step 1: Connect Your Wallet

1. Click "Connect Wallet" button in top right
2. Choose wallet option:
   • Smart Wallet (Recommended): No gas fees, easier to use
   • Coinbase Wallet: Direct connection
   • WalletConnect: Other wallets
3. Approve connection in your wallet
4. Your address appears in top right when connected

What you need:

• A wallet with some ETH on Base network
• Or use Smart Wallet for gasless transactions

Embedded wallet: The built-in embedded wallet gives you added security and lets you get started without external tools. You can link multiple devices to your account; a polished settings screen for managing linked devices is on the way.

Step 2: Set Up Your Identity

1. Go to Identity page (profile icon)
2. Click "Edit Profile"
3. Fill in:
   • First Name
   • Last Name
   • Profile Picture (optional)
   • Bio (optional)
   • Interests (select from chips)
   • What you're seeking (select from chips)
   • Openness to Connect (Low/Limited, Open/Available, or Actively Collaborating)
4. Click "Save Changes"

Openness to Connect: This setting controls the availability badge on your profile and how you sort in the Members directory (actively-collaborating members appear first). It does not restrict who can message you; any member can still send you a Direct Message regardless of the setting.

Contacting members: Members reach each other through in-app Direct Messages. To contact someone, open their profile and use the Message button. Your email address stays private (it is used for your own login and notifications, not shown to other members or used for member-to-member contact).

Why this matters:

• Other members can find you
• Builds trust in community
• Required for some pod applications

Step 3: Get Advocate (Optional)

Advocate is a DAO-wide membership accreditation. It appears under Accreditations on your identity page.

Benefits:

• Create governance proposals
• Vote on DAO-wide decisions
• Access exclusive features

How to get:

1. Go to Mint page
2. Click "Mint Advocate"
3. Approve transaction (gasless if using Smart Wallet)
4. Advocate appears in your wallet

Voting is active immediately. Advocate is auto-delegated when it is minted, so your voting power is live right away. There is no manual "delegate to yourself" step.

Understanding Permissions

SpiritDAO uses role-based permissions:

Executive Pod Member: Can create new pods, manage DAO-wide settings Pod Leader: Can manage their pod, approve applications, deploy modules Pod Member: Can participate in pod activities, see pod content Advocate: Can vote on governance proposals

Permission Check:

• Top right shows your current role
• Locked features show "No Permission" message
• Apply to pods to gain more access

Navigation

Top Bar

• SpiritDAO Logo: Return to home
• Search: Find pods, events, proposals
• Notifications Bell: See recent activity
• Profile Menu: Access identity, settings, logout

Bottom Mobile Nav

• Home: Overview dashboard
• Pods: Browse and manage pods
• Events: Community calendar
• Forum: Discussions
• Bounties: Task marketplace

Key Features Overview

Pods (Working Groups)

• Create or join specialized teams
• Each pod has unique permissions
• Enable/disable modules (Forum, Events, Bounties, Treasury)

Governance

• Create proposals (requires Advocate)
• Vote on-chain (active immediately after minting Advocate)
• Track proposal status

Bounties

• Post tasks with rewards
• Apply to complete bounties
• Submit work for review
• Get paid in crypto

Events

• Create community events
• Register with NFT
• Check-in at events
• Earn completion NFTs

Forum

• Start discussion threads
• Post replies
• Pod-specific or public forums
• Markdown support

Marketplace (Artifacts)

• Buy/sell community artifacts with $SYSTEM, or burn $SELF to pay
• $SYSTEM can route to a creator wallet or pod treasury; $SELF is always burned (it can't be transferred)
• Shopping cart system
• Gasless checkout option

Video Chat & Conferencing

• Real-time video calls between pod members
• Multi-participant conference rooms for meetings and governance calls
• Integrated with pod membership (access governed by your roles)

Knowledge Base

• Video tutorials for every platform feature
• Step-by-step written guides
• Guided tour to walk through the full app in ~2 minutes

Common Actions

Join a Pod

1. Go to Pods page
2. Browse available pods
3. Click pod to view details
4. Click "Apply for Membership"
5. Fill application form
6. Submit and wait for approval

Vote on Proposal

1. Go to Vote or Governance page
2. Click on active proposal
3. Read proposal details
4. Click "Vote"
5. Select For/Against/Abstain
6. Confirm transaction

Apply for Bounty

1. Go to Bounty page
2. Browse open bounties
3. Click bounty to view details
4. Click "Apply for Bounty"
5. Submit your application
6. Wait for approval

Register for Event

1. Go to Events or Calendar page
2. Find upcoming event
3. Click "Register Now"
4. Approve transaction (may require payment)
5. Receive registration NFT

Troubleshooting

"Transaction Failed" Error

• Check balance: Ensure you have enough ETH
• Switch network: Must be on Base network
• Try Smart Wallet: Use gasless transactions
• Refresh page: Sometimes state gets out of sync

"No Permission" Message

• Check role: May need specific Hat role
• Apply to pod: Join relevant pod first
• Mint Advocate: Some features require Advocate
• Ask leader: Pod leaders can grant access

"Wallet Not Connected"

• Reconnect: Click Connect Wallet again
• Clear cache: Try incognito/private mode
• Different wallet: Try alternative wallet option

Can't See My Pod

• Refresh: Pull down to refresh on mobile
• Check filters: Remove any active filters
• Sync delay: Wait 30 seconds for blockchain sync

Best Practices

Security

• Never share private keys
• Verify transaction details before signing
• Use hardware wallet for large amounts
• Enable 2FA on Coinbase Wallet

Community

• Fill out complete profile
• Be respectful in forums
• Follow pod guidelines
• Honor agreements you sign

Governance

• Read full proposals before voting
• Participate in discussions
• Vote before deadline

Getting Help

Guided Tour

1. Go to Knowledge Base page
2. Click the "Take a guided tour" card (🧭) at the top
3. Walk through every section in ~2 minutes

Knowledge Base Videos

1. Go to Knowledge Base from the home screen
2. Browse categories for step-by-step video guides
3. Available for every major feature

In-App AI Assistant

1. Click Sensemaker AI icon
2. Ask about the platform or Temporal Naturalism philosophy
3. Get instant, contextual help

Community Support

• Forum: Post in Help category
• Chat: Ask in pod chat channels
• Leaders: Message pod leaders directly

Technical Issues

• Check notification for error messages
• Try different wallet/browser
• Clear cache and reconnect
• Report bugs in forum

Next Steps

1. ✅ Set up your identity profile
2. ✅ Join your first pod
3. ✅ Participate in forum discussion
4. ✅ Vote on a proposal (if you have Advocate)
5. ✅ Apply for a bounty
6. ✅ Register for an event

Welcome to SpiritDAO! 🌿