# 2.4 - Epoch System

An **epoch** is a one-week window during which votes, emissions, and bribes are processed. Everything in nest's governance layer from voting, to LP rewards, to bribe distribution, this all runs on this weekly clock.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Thursday 00:00 UTC → Wednesday 23:00 UTC**\
Each epoch starts Thursday and closes Wednesday. This is when the vote snapshot is taken and emissions are calculated.
{% endhint %}

***

### What happens each epoch

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Thursday 00:00 UTC

**New epoch begins.** Previous vote snapshot locks in. Emissions from the prior epoch become claimable for LPs
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Thursday → Wednesday

**Active epoch window.** veNEST holders vote. Protocols add bribes. LPs accumulate emissions based on pool vote weights
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Wednesday 23:00 UTC

**Voting closes.** Final vote weights locked. Epoch ends and new distribution is calculated.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Vote early.** Don't leave your vote to the final hour of the epoch, the last hour is reserved for HEV automated flows. Your vote is most effective when submitted early in the week.
{% endhint %}


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