> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tokenomist.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Emission: Cliff & Linear

> Standardizing token release schedules with cliff and linear models

# Overview

Token release schedules use inconsistent terms across projects, making it difficult to compare them fairly. Tokenomist solves this by standardizing unlock models into two types: periodic **Cliff Release** and daily **Linear Release**. Our **Emission** component provides the complete picture by tracking net supply changes from both inflation and token burns (deflation).

# Methodology

## Definitions

| Term              | Definition                                                                                                                                                     |
| ----------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Cliff Unlock**  | An unlock event that occurs at a set interval greater than one day (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly). This represents a discrete, periodic release of tokens. |
| **Linear Unlock** | A continuous, daily release of a specific number of tokens. This represents a smooth, predictable increase in the circulating supply.                          |
| **Inflation**     | The number of new tokens either from new issuance or released according to a release schedule.                                                                 |
| **Deflation**     | The decrease of tokens via a burn mechanism.                                                                                                                   |
| **Net Emission**  | The net change in supply, calculated as `Inflation - Deflation`.                                                                                               |

## How We Classify Unlocks

1. **Unlock Classification:** We analyze each allocation's release schedule. If tokens are released daily, we classify the model as **Linear**. If they are released in discrete intervals (weekly, monthly, etc.), we classify it as a **Cliff**.
2. **Emission Calculation:**
   * **Historical:** We track all inflation and deflation events from the Token Generation Event (TGE) to today to calculate the total net emission history.
   * **Projected:** We project future inflation based on all known **Cliff** and **Linear** unlock schedules. **Note:** Our future projections do not include potential deflationary events (burns), as these are often variable and unpredictable.
   * **Lifecycle-aware emission ([Hyperliquid](https://tokenomist.ai/hyperliquid)):** For tokens with unlock lifecycle tracking, emission calculations use the best available data per event: **Committed** amounts (announced by the project team) when available, otherwise **Whitepaper** amounts (from the release schedule). This means near-term emission figures may reflect higher-confidence committed data, while longer-term projections use whitepaper estimates.

## Example Cases

* **Case 1 (Cliff):** A project's "Advisor" tokens unlock 1,000,000 tokens on the 1st of every month. Our system shows this as a monthly **Cliff Unlock** with a countdown.
* **Case 2 (Linear):** A protocol's "Ecosystem Rewards" release 50,000 tokens per day. We classify this as a **Linear Unlock** and show a countdown to the next *change in this daily rate*, allowing analysts to model smooth inflation.

# Access

This data is a central feature of the main dashboard for every asset we track.

* The **Cliff** and **Linear** unlock modules are located at the top of each token page, giving you an immediate summary of the next critical supply events.
* The detailed **Emission** chart is located further down, providing a comprehensive view of historical and projected supply changes.

# Where To Next?

* See how emissions play out across the market with [Crypto Market Emission](/crypto-market-emission).
* Compare dilution side by side using [Emission Comparison](/compare-emission) or scan every project with the [Emission Screener](/emission-screener).
* Explore our [Supply Metrics](/supply-metrics) definitions for terms like circulating and unlocked supply.