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Expire or Reclaim a Bounty Reward

This guide is for bounty posters using Lightning Bounties who want to know how to expire an open bounty or reclaim their sats.

Overview

Expiring a bounty allows the creator to reclaim the reward if the issue remains unsolved after the lock time period. This process is secure and ensures that developers always have a guaranteed window to work on issues.

See Issue Lock TimeFor a more detailed Guide on this topic.

Step-by-Step: Expiring a Bounty

  1. Log In: Visit app.lightningbounties.com and log in with your GitHub account.

  2. Navigate to Your Bounties: Go to your dashboard by clicking on your profile avatar (Top Right)

Image of Logged-In User Avatar
Click on Your Profile Avatar on the Top Right of Lightning Bounties Feed

  1. Once on Your dashboard select the "My Rewards" Tab.

Image Showing My Rewards Tab on Your Lightning Bounties Profile
My Rewards Tab Should be By Default

  1. Check Lock Time Status: Locate the bounty you wish to expire. Ensure the lock time period has ended. You will see an indicator or countdown showing when expiry is allowed.

An unlocked bounty that can now be expired if needed.
An unlocked bounty that can now be expired if needed.
A locked bounty with remaining lock time displayed.
A locked bounty with remaining lock time displayed.

  1. Expire the Bounty:

    Click the "Expire Reward" button next to your bounty.

Image Showing "Expire Reward" Button Filled with Blue Coloring
Expire Reward Shows Blue Coloring on Eligible Bounty

  1. Reclaim Funds: The reward will be returned to your Lightning Bounties account balance, ready for withdrawal or use in other bounties.

Note: You cannot expire or reclaim a bounty before the lock time has ended.

This is to protect developers who may be actively working on a solution

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I extend or update the expiration on an unlocked bounty?

No, unlocked bounties remain posted until you manually expire them or a hunter claims the reward. To set a new lock time, add a new reward to the issue with your desired lock period, then expire the original unlocked reward.

What happens if I do nothing after the lock time expires?

The bounty remains active and visible to hunters.

The only change is its status from 🔒"locked" to 🔓"unlocked".

How do I know if my bounty is locked or unlocked?

Check the status label or emoji on your bounty in your dashboard or on the bounty detail page. Hover over the lock/unlock emoji to see the exact unlock date.

Why should I set a lock time for my bounty?

Lock time gives bounty hunters assurance that the reward will be available when they submit their work, encouraging more and better contributions.

Can I expire a reward posted without logging in?

No. Rewards posted via a one-time invoice in a non-logged-in state cannot be expired or reclaimed, as they are not linked to your account.

Can I expire an Anonymous reward?

Yes. Anonymous rewards can be expired using the same process as regular rewards.

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