> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.shellprotocol.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.shellprotocol.io/getting-started/governance.md).

# Governance

## **Forum Portal**

{% embed url="<https://commonwealth.im/shell-protocol/>" %}

## Shell Protocol DAO

The Shell DAO is the entity governing Shell Protocol. The Shell DAO is controlled by SHELL token holders via veSHELL.

[SHELL](/shell-dao/shell-token.md) is the protocol's governance token. In order to vote or delegate votes in the DAO, users must hold [veSHELL](/shell-dao/veshell-staking.md), which is vote-escrowed SHELL (aka staked SHELL).

At this time, [all votes occur off-chain on Snapshot](https://snapshot.org/#/shellprotocol.eth). Successful votes that require on-chain actions are executed by the [DAO Multisig](/shell-dao/dao-multisig.md).

For a deep dive, [continue here](/shell-dao/overview.md).

## Governance Minimization <a href="#governance-minimization" id="governance-minimization"></a>

By design, the Shell DAO has limited control over the core protocol, namely the Ocean smart contract. Here are some things it cannot do:

* It cannot manipulate or confiscate user assets (Shell is 100% non-custodial)
* It cannot freeze the protocol (users can always withdraw their assets at any time)
* It cannot block new primitives or adapters from connecting (anyone can build and deploy on Shell)

## Miscellaneous

* [Toucan Votes](/shell-dao/toucan-votes.md): Community polls are conducted on Snapshot using the Government Toucan NFT, a "proto-governance" token.
* [ShellDrop DAO (Retired)](/how-shell-works/shelldrop-dao-retired.md): The sole purpose of this DAO was to administer airdrops from other projects to the Shell community.