SourceCred Tool

Frequently asked questions

What problem does SourceCred solve?

SourceCred solves the problem of communities lacking a fair, transparent, and incentive-compatible way to value contributions. It provides a framework that assigns Cred scores based on contributions and distributes Grain tokens based on those scores. This allows communities to measure participants' contributions, both tangible and intangible, and reward them fairly for the value they bring. SourceCred aims to empower marginalized people and communities by rewarding contributions instead of simply contributors, reducing popularity contests and improving the disparity between power and lack of power in reward distribution.

Can SourceCred be used to empower marginalized people and communities?

Yes, SourceCred can be used to empower marginalized people and communities. SourceCred is designed to value contributions rather than contributors, reducing popularity contests and biases. It provides a framework that assigns Cred scores based on contributions and distributes Grain tokens based on those scores. This allows communities to measure and reward participants' contributions, both tangible and intangible, in a fair and transparent manner. SourceCred's social values prioritize people and communities, and it aims to improve the disparity between power and lack of power that often occurs around rewards for labor.

How do I earn Cred?

To earn Cred in a community using SourceCred, you need to contribute to a project within that community. Your contributions are automatically tracked and measured for their value and impact to the community, and this value is denoted as a Cred score. Cred scores can retroactively update to reflect new information, so even if your work initially goes unnoticed, it can still earn Cred once discovered. Cred is transparent and computed by an open-source algorithm, allowing anyone to inspect how it was calculated. The algorithm takes into account the Contribution Graph, which is a network of contributions, participants, and connections between them.

What is Grain and what can I do with it?

Grain is a community-specific digital currency that is issued based on Cred scores. It serves as a way to reward and incentivize participants in a project. The value and use cases of Grain can vary depending on the community. In some cases, Grain can be redeemed for a stable coin like USDC or used as a voting weight in the community. It can also be used to pay contributors based on their Cred scores or as a scoring system in addition to Cred values. Ultimately, Grain provides foundational infrastructure for building economics and governance mechanisms within a community.

How is Cred calculated?

Cred is calculated by SourceCred using an algorithm that determines the value of a contribution or contributor to a project. When a contribution is made, Cred is assigned based on the value it brings to the project as a whole. Cred flows from the contribution to other contributions and participants that supported it. The more connections a contribution has to other important contributions, the more Cred it has the opportunity to receive. Cred is retroactive, meaning it can be updated to reflect new information. It is also transparent, with the algorithm and data being open-source, allowing anyone to inspect how a Cred score was computed. Cred is community-specific and cannot be transferred, bought, or sold. Participants are rewarded with digital currency, known as "Grain," based on their Cred score.

What is the value of Grain?

The value of Grain is subjective and can vary depending on the community using it. In some communities, Grain can be redeemed for USDC, a stable coin worth 1 US Dollar. Other communities may treat Grain as a share of future income or as weight behind a community member's vote. Grain can also be used as a scoring system or as a conduit for financial rewards in projects using SourceCred. Ultimately, Grain serves as foundational infrastructure for building economics and governance mechanisms, offering endless possibilities for its use.

How is Grain distributed?

Grain is distributed based on Cred scores. The distribution process involves recomputing the Cred scores to ensure they are up to date, and then distributing Grain based on those scores. Communities have the option to distribute Grain or wait for future use cases. Projects can choose to issue Grain as a cryptocurrency or token, such as an ERC-20 token on Ethereum, which allows them to pay or financially reward participants. The value and use cases of Grain vary depending on the community, and it can be redeemed for USDC or used as a scoring system. Grain is not tied to any actual monetary reward and can be named differently by projects using SourceCred.