> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://stableunit.gitbook.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://stableunit.gitbook.io/documentation/introduction/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

How to use StableUnit protocol in plain english.

### 1. Earn Passively with USD Pro

**Acquire** – Swap into USD Pro on any DEX (Uniswap, Curve, Balancer) or mint it by depositing collateral in the app.\
**Hold** – Keep the tokens in an EVM wallet, yield streams in automatically.

### 2. Borrow USD Pro Against Your Assets

**Borrow in three clicks**

1. **Deposit** eligible collateral. UI shows max mintable amount and required buffer.
2. **Borrow** USD Pro. Interest accrues on the debt while collateral keeps farming.
3. **Manage** position—add collateral or repay any time. A health factor turns yellow as you near the liquidation threshold; stay above the minimum ratio to avoid a forced sale.

**Key parameters (set by DAO)**

* Minimum collateral ratio: typically 160 % for majors, higher for volatile LPs
* Liquidation threshold: \~110–120 % of debt value
* Stability fee: variable; starts in the low single‑digits
* Debt ceilings per collateral to prevent concentration risk

If collateral value sinks below the threshold, the protocol sells just enough to cover debt plus a small penalty; any excess is returned. 

See the Demo-video in [Welcome section](/documentation/introduction/welcome-to-stableunit-101.md).

### 3. Managing & Safeguarding Your Vault

**Stay in the green** – the dashboard shows a live *health factor* and collateral ratio. Aim to keep the ratio well above the minimum (e.g., 1.4 and more). Oracles (Chainlink + Uniswap TWAP) refresh prices every few minutes, so large market moves propagate fast. If your buffer shrinks, you can:

* **Add collateral** to lift the ratio.
* **Repay** part of the debt; burning USD Pro instantly improves health.
* **Withdraw excess** only when the ratio is comfortably high.

Interest (the stability fee) compounds on your debt; paying it down periodically prevents creep. All risk parameters—ratios, fees, debt ceilings—are set on‑chain by the DAO and announced in advance.

**Liquidation guardrails** – if your ratio slips below the Liquidation LTV threshold, the system sells just enough collateral at a small, fixed discount to cover debt + penalty. Any surplus returns to you. A partial, MEV‑resistant engine limits market impact, while an insurance fund absorbs rare shortfalls. Avoid liquidations by borrowing conservatively and setting price alerts.

### 4. Example playbooks

| Persona                  | What they do                                                   | Why StableUnit fits                                          |
| ------------------------ | -------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Passive saver**        | Swaps 10 k USDC → USD Pro, holds in wallet                     | Earns protocol yield with zero clicks; can exit 1:1 any time |
| **LP capital maximizer** | Deposits Curve LP worth 50 k, borrows 25 k USD Pro to redeploy | Unlocks dormant liquidity while LP fees keep accruing        |

Monitor the health bar, keep a safety buffer, and StableUnit lets you farm, borrow, and spend—all on the same stack.