> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.stellaswap.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.stellaswap.com/how-to-guides/vestella/auto-strategy.md).

# Auto-Strategy

Here's a summary of Auto-Strategies for veSTELLA:

* Auto strategies **automate** your voting process passively by voting on the highest-performing pools to **maximize your returns**
* Auto strategies will continually compound your Lock to 2yrs, so anytime you withdraw your Lock its duration will be 2yrs
* There's a 1% fee for depositing your Locks into auto strategies (deducted from rewards)

Here’s a step-by-step guide for using our Auto-Strategy:

### Step #1: Ensure you have a Lock

You need to have a Lock before depositing it into an Auto-Strategy. [Create a Lock if you have not done so](https://docs.stellaswap.com/how-to-guides/vestella/lock).

<figure><img src="https://2469068479-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fk79kvXbQmvjLmP78Scbp%2Fuploads%2FrPwXO9ypmFEOr03IsdIt%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=e8f8669a-4186-4265-bea1-7ff9b4efe309" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Step #2: Select an Auto-Strategy

Scroll below the [Lock page](https://app.stellaswap.com/vestella?tab=lock) to view the Auto-Strategy section and select an Auto-Strategy that you prefer.

{% hint style="info" %}

* STELLA Optimizer: Compound earnings into STELLA to maximize power & earn more
* USDC Optimizer: Convert all earnings into USDC, which can be claimed anytime. Exposed to voting decay (voting power goes down with time, and therefore earnings)
  {% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://2469068479-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fk79kvXbQmvjLmP78Scbp%2Fuploads%2FNCK1x5TsP8a9XivUYKUG%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=53750378-ac2a-420f-b9f9-0edca8d4ae3b" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Select on `Deposit Lock` button.

### Step #3: Deposit Lock

Select your Lock from the list of existing Locks you have. Once done, select the tickbox after ensuring that you fully understand the Auto-Strategy you're about to deposit in.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://2469068479-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fk79kvXbQmvjLmP78Scbp%2Fuploads%2FV14Uf4DPx1uXIsPbPmyF%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=2be151f4-609e-4a8d-9bb3-34e58b593052" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can then select `Deposit` button.

### Step #4: Done

Once you've deposited, you can track your Lock on your your Auto-Strategy dashboard.

<figure><img src="https://2469068479-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2Fk79kvXbQmvjLmP78Scbp%2Fuploads%2FltLVCSrRr3tdvQYkSvul%2Fimage.png?alt=media&amp;token=dd045181-8612-4734-aa65-fbbf7784a324" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Any deposited Locks can be claimed after the first epoch passes. In the case of USDC Optimizer strategy, you can claim your USDC any time after the first epoch.
{% endhint %}