> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.bedrock.technology/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.bedrock.technology/yield-vaults/step-by-step-guide.md).

# Step-by-Step Guide

{% hint style="success" %}
Bedrock Vault accepts deposits at any time, allowing users to access yield opportunities without waiting for a specific entry window. Newly deposited uniBTC is automatically enrolled in the next epoch and begins earning yield when the epoch starts.
{% endhint %}

### Depositing into a Vault

### Step 1 — Prepare your wallet

Before you start, make sure you have:

* A Web3 wallet (MetaMask, OKX Wallet, or any WalletConnect-compatible wallet).
* The Ethereum network added to your wallet. If you have not added it yet, the dApp will prompt you to switch networks automatically.
* A small amount of ETH for gas.
* The vault's underlying asset (e.g. testnet uniBTC) in the connected wallet.

### Step 2 — Connect to the vaults app

* Navigate to <https://app.bedrock.technology/vaults>
* Click Connect Wallet in the top-right corner.
* Select your wallet provider and approve the connection request.

<img src="/files/veDHNy7ZZ4v0XUJkT1QV" alt="" height="140" width="304">

### Step 3 — Choose a vault

* The Vaults dashboard lists every active vault along with:
* Underlying asset — the token the vault accepts (e.g. uniBTC).
* Current phase — pre-deposit, locked, or withdrawal window, plus the countdown to the next phase.
* Target / projected APY — the strategy's projected annualized yield for the epoch.
* TVL and capacity — the total value already deposited and the vault's cap, if one exists.
* Click into the vault you want to use.

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### Step 4 — Approve the token

* The first time you interact with a vault, you'll need to grant the vault contract permission to spend your underlying asset.
* On the vault page, enter the amount you want to deposit, or click Max.
* Click Approve.
* Your wallet will pop up requesting an ERC-20 approve transaction — confirm it.
* This is a one-time approval per asset, per vault.

### Step 5 — Deposit

* After the approval transaction is confirmed, the Approve button will switch to Deposit.
* Click Deposit.
* Confirm the deposit transaction in your wallet.
* Once the transaction is mined, your vault share balance will update on the page and your deposit will be counted toward this cycle's yield epoch.
* You're now subscribed. You don't need to do anything during the locked phase — yield accrues automatically.

### Monitoring Your Position During the Yield Epoch

During the 30-day locked phase, the vault is closed for deposits and withdrawals, but you can still track exactly what your position is doing.

### Step 1 — Open your position view

On the vault detail page, the Your Position panel shows:

* Your share balance (vault shares are non-transferable receipts of your deposit).
* The underlying asset value those shares represent at the start of the epoch.
* The current epoch number and the time remaining until the withdrawal window opens.

### Step 2 — Track accrued yield

* Yield is recorded on-chain when the underlying strategy distributes rewards to the vault. This may happen once at the end of the epoch, or in tranches throughout, depending on the strategy.
* The Pending Rewards field shows yield that has been recorded but not yet claimed. This figure updates only when the vault contract receives a distribution — it is not a real-time estimate.

### Step 3 — Verify on-chain (optional)

* Every distribution emits an on-chain event. To verify:
* Copy the vault contract address from the Contract link on the vault page.
* Open it on the Ethereum block explorer.
* Inspect the Events tab and look for YieldDistributed events for the current epoch.

{% hint style="info" %}
Do not wait until the final hour of the withdrawal window to act. If the withdrawal window closes before your transaction confirms, your position will roll into the next 30-day lock and you will need to wait for the following withdrawal window to make changes.
{% endhint %}

### Withdrawing and Claiming Rewards

When the 30-day epoch ends, the vault enters its 7-day withdrawal window. During this window you have three options, and you can mix and match them.

### Option A — Claim rewards only (roll principal forward)

If you want to keep your principal deployed for the next cycle but take your yield out as cash:

* Open the vault page during the withdrawal window.
* Click Claim in the Your Position panel.
* Confirm the transaction.
* The accrued rewards will be sent to your wallet. Your principal stays in the vault and rolls into the next pre-deposit period automatically.

### Option B — Withdraw principal and rewards

If you want to fully exit:

* Click Withdraw.
* Enter the amount of vault shares you want to redeem, or click Max to exit fully.
* Confirm the transaction.
* The vault will burn your shares and transfer your principal plus any pending rewards back to your wallet in a single transaction.

### Option C — Deposit more

* The withdrawal window doubles as the next pre-deposit window for users who are already subscribed. If you want to increase your position before the next yield epoch starts:
* Enter the additional amount on the deposit panel.
* Approve (if your existing approval is insufficient) and Deposit.
* Your new deposit is added to your share balance and will be deployed at the start of the next yield epoch.

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