How Does a “Cliff” Period Affect a Token Vesting Schedule?

A cliff period is an initial duration, typically six to twelve months, during which no tokens are released to the recipient, even if they continue to contribute to the DAO. Once the cliff period is successfully completed, the recipient receives the tokens accrued up to that point (the "cliff drop"), and the regular linear vesting schedule begins thereafter.

The cliff serves as a crucial mechanism to ensure long-term commitment before any significant token distribution occurs.