> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.charterfnd.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.charterfnd.com/charter-basics/what-is-charter.md). # What Is Charter? Think of Charter as the world’s most advanced shared dock for token launches: a place where the best builders prepare, coordinate, and launch into a structured operational environment built for success. Traditional launches treat infrastructure as something each builder must construct from scratch. Charter treats this infrastructure as a public good; like a dock that exists before any single ship arrives. At its core, the process of Chartering a token revolves around a simple, repeatable flow of phases. 1. **Apply:** Builders apply to Charter their token. Applications go through the Ink Foundation, Charter’s “**Facilitating Partner**”. Projects are selected based on readiness, quality, and timing to ensure each launch receives proper coordination and market focus. 2. **Board**: The builder enters the [Charter ecosystem](/miscellaneous/the-charter-ecosystem.md), paying a fee to the Facilitating Partner. The Charter Foundation then forms a dedicated Cayman Islands Exempted Company (the “**Cayman Launch Company**”) as the top-level holding and governance vehicle for the builder’s project. Core agreements are put in place - without requiring the builder to establish a separate Cayman Islands Foundation Company upfront. 3. **Prepare**: The Cayman Launch Company forms a wholly-owned British Virgin Islands business company (the “**BVI Launch Subsidiary**”) as the operational launch vehicle. The project aligns legal structure, token operations, liquidity strategy, and key partners. By the end of this phase, the project is fully prepared for launch. 4. **Launch**: The token is minted and issued through a structured and coordinated pathway, with aligned infrastructure supporting distribution, liquidity, and market entry from day one. 5. **Release**: Following launch, the Cayman Launch Company is converted into a separate and independent Cayman Islands Foundation Company (the “**Post-Launch Foundation**”), thus detaching from the Charter Foundation, and the Post-Launch Foundation leaves the dock under its own command, with no ongoing dependencies. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.charterfnd.com/charter-basics/what-is-charter.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.