Contract Lifecycle
Understand the contract state machine from draft to completion.
Contract States
Every contract in PROOF follows a defined state machine. Understanding these states helps you manage your pipeline effectively:
Draft
Contract terms have been created but no offer has been sent to the creator yet.
Offered
The offer has been sent via magic link email. The creator can accept, counter-offer, or decline.
Counter Proposed
The creator has sent back modified terms. You can accept their counter, send a re-counter, or decline.
Accepted
Both parties have agreed to terms. Escrow is being funded automatically via Stripe.
Active
Escrow is funded and the contract is live. Waiting for the creator to submit their content post URL.
Tracking
Content has been posted and metrics are being tracked in real-time during the measurement window.
Completed
The measurement window has closed. Final metrics are locked and milestone payouts have been processed.
Alternative Paths
- Declined — Creator or brand has declined the contract. No funds are charged.
- Expired — The offer or measurement window expired without action.
- Cancelled — The contract was cancelled by either party before completion.
Declined and expired contracts release any held escrow back to the brand's payment method automatically.