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System Components

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Core Components

  • Token

    • Tracks token holder balances
    • Manages voting power of delegates
    • Enables voting on proposals

  • Governor

    • Provides primary access control logic
    • Processes proposals and associated votes
    • Determines proposal success or failure
    • Manages voting periods and thresholds

  • Timelock

    • Receives instructions from governor for successful proposals
    • Implements time delay for stakeholder response
    • Executes approved instructions after delay period

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Additional Components

  • Modules (e.g., approval voting)
    • Provide optional voting strategies
    • Enable features like multiple choice voting
    • Extend governor functionality

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Privileged Roles

For detailed information about roles and permissions, see the Agora Governor Roles.

  • Governor Manager

    • Trusted address with proposal submission rights
    • Can bypass proposal threshold requirements
    • Typically controlled by the foundation initially

  • Security Council

    • Trusted multisig with protocol upgrade capabilities
    • Can perform emergency upgrades when needed
    • Ensures protocol safety during critical changes

  • Governor Admin

    • Trusted multisig with broad system privileges
    • Enables manual execution and intervention
    • Can be same address as Security Council (optional)
    • Acts as last-resort safeguard

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Proposal Lifecycle

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Example Voting Cycle

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Initial Launch Configuration

While the end goal for any protocol is full decentralization (where the DAO and voters have full control over token transfers, protocol upgrades, and more), we recommend a measured, progressive approach to decentralization. At launch, we recommend maximum safety and control:

  1. High Proposal Threshold

    • Set initially high to restrict proposal creation
    • Only Governor Manager (Foundation) can propose initially
    • Enables controlled governance rollout

  2. Manual Protocol Upgrades

    • Protocol upgrades executed manually at first
    • Continues until successful proposal track record
    • Ensures maximum safety during early phase

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Example Proposal Types

  1. Token Transfer Proposal

    • Fully executed on-chain
    • Standard governance process
    • Automated execution through timelock

  2. Normal Protocol Upgrade

    • Requires Security Council execution
    • Manual implementation for safety
    • Additional verification layer

  3. Emergency Protocol Upgrade

    • Bypasses standard governance process
    • Direct Security Council execution
    • Reserved for critical situations

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Progressive Decentralization

As the governance system matures:

  1. Proposal Threshold Reduction

    • Gradually lower proposal requirements
    • Enable broader community participation
    • Allow smaller token holders to propose

  2. Upgrade Process Evolution

    • Move toward fully on-chain upgrades
    • Reduce manual intervention
    • Increase automation of execution

  3. Community Empowerment

    • Expand voting power distribution
    • Enhance proposal creation access
    • Foster decentralized decision-making

This progressive approach ensures the governance system can evolve safely while maintaining security and stability.