MANTRAIST FAIRWORK

SECTION 1 - PROJECT SCOPE

1.1 A Written Project Scope Is Mandatory

Before any project begins, the Client and Freelancer must agree to a clear written Project Scope.

Mantraist reviews the Project Scope before the project begins.

The Project Scope is the main reference used to understand what the Client is paying for and what the Freelancer is expected to deliver.

The scope should be clear enough that a person who was not involved in the original discussion can understand the project.

1.2 What the Project Scope Must Include

The Project Scope must clearly contain:

A. Overall Project Deadline

The final date by which the complete project must be delivered.

B. Milestones

The project must be divided into clear stages. Each milestone should explain:

• What work will be completed
• What will be delivered
• The milestone deadline
• The amount assigned to the milestone

C. Free Revisions

The exact number of free revision rounds included in the project.

D. Paid Revisions

The price or rate for additional revisions after the included free revisions are used.

E. Total Project Budget

The complete agreed project price.

F. Budget Explanation

The scope should briefly explain why the proposed budget is appropriate for the project. The explanation should connect the price to factors such as:

• Main tasks
• Project complexity
• Required skills
• Estimated effort
• Number of milestones
• Number and complexity of deliverables
• Included revision rounds
• Special tools or software
• Integrations
• Required assets
• Milestone allocation

The budget explanation does not need to be a long report.

G. Milestone Deadlines

Every milestone must have its own clear deadline.

H. Milestone Funding

The scope must clearly state how much money is associated with each milestone.

I. File Sharing Requirements

The Freelancer must provide the required project files, source files, assets, and other agreed materials at the required stage.

The Client must also provide the files, assets, references, information, access, or other materials needed by the Freelancer.

If either party cannot provide required materials on time, they should inform the other party as soon as possible.

SECTION 2 - CUSTOM PROJECT TERMS

2.1 Client and Freelancer Can Add Their Own Terms

Mantraist FairWork provides mandatory base rules.

However, every project can have its own additional requirements.

The Client and Freelancer are free to add project-specific terms that are relevant to their work. Examples include:

• Required technology
• Required software
• Specific design requirements
• Coding standards
• Meeting schedules
• Delivery formats
• File requirements
• Testing requirements
• Communication procedures
• Other project-specific requirements

2.2 Custom Terms Must Be Written

A custom requirement becomes part of the project agreement only when it is:

1. Written down
2. Clearly understood
3. Agreed upon by both Client and Freelancer

2.3 Custom Terms Cannot Override Mantraist FairWork Rules

Client and Freelancer may add their own project terms, but those terms cannot override the mandatory Mantraist FairWork rules.

For example, a Client and Freelancer cannot agree:

That conflicts with the Mantraist FairWork escrow process and therefore does not replace the Mantraist FairWork rule.

SECTION 3 - BUDGET & MILESTONE STRUCTURE

3.1 Milestone Amounts Must Be Fair

The Freelancer does not decide milestone percentages alone.

The Client and Freelancer should agree on the milestone structure before the Project Scope is approved.

Mantraist may review the structure to ensure that the payment arrangement is reasonable for both sides.

3.2 Example Milestone Structures

These are examples, not automatic requirements for every project.

The actual structure should reflect the real work, complexity, risk, and deliverables of the project.

SECTION 4 - ESCROW

4.1 Mantraist FairWork Uses Milestone-Based Escrow

Mantraist FairWork uses escrow to protect the payment process.

The active milestone must be funded before the Freelancer begins that milestone.

The basic process is:

The same process applies to every milestone.

4.2 Escrow Is Not Only for the First Advance

Escrow applies to each payment milestone. It is not simply:

Instead, every milestone follows its own funding and release process.

4.3 Freelancer Cannot Start an Unfunded Milestone

A Freelancer should not begin a new milestone until Mantraist confirms that the required funds for that milestone have been received.

This protects the Freelancer from completing work without secured payment.

It also gives the Client a clear milestone-by-milestone payment structure.

SECTION 5 - ESCROW PAYMENT PROCESS

5.1 Client Funds the Active Milestone

The Client deposits the agreed milestone amount into the Mantraist FairWork escrow process using the payment method provided by Mantraist.

The Client should provide the payment receipt or transaction reference/UTR where applicable.

5.2 Indian UPI and Bank Account Payments

For payments made through the Indian UPI and bank-account payment methods supported by Mantraist:

This applies to the payment methods that Mantraist currently supports for Indian UPI and bank-account payments.

5.3 Third-Party Payment Methods

If a Client or Freelancer wants to use a third-party payment method or payment provider that creates an additional payment-processing cost, the applicable percentage or fee must be discussed before using that payment method.

Mantraist will clearly inform the Client and Freelancer of the applicable percentage or charge before it is applied.

Until such a third-party payment method is introduced with a stated charge:

5.4 Mantraist Verifies the Payment

Mantraist verifies that the required milestone amount has been received.

Only after confirmation does the Freelancer receive the green light to start the applicable milestone.

5.5 Freelancer Starts the Funded Milestone

The Freelancer begins work after the active milestone funding has been confirmed.

The Freelancer is not expected to begin a new milestone while waiting for its required payment to be confirmed.

5.6 Milestone Submission

After completing the milestone, the Freelancer submits the agreed deliverables for Client review.

The submission should be made through the agreed project communication channel so there is a clear timestamp.

5.7 Client Review

The Client reviews the submission and provides approval or clear written feedback.

The Client normally has 72 hours to respond when a response is required.

5.8 Payment Release

Once the milestone is properly approved, Mantraist releases the applicable milestone payment to the Freelancer according to the Mantraist FairWork process.

SECTION 6 - ESCROW PROTECTION & PROJECT SCOPE

6.1 Escrow Protects the Written Scope

Mantraist FairWork escrow protects the work that is clearly written and approved in the Project Scope.

The written scope is the primary reference when determining what was agreed.

6.2 Verbal Requests Are Not Automatically Covered

Phone calls, casual conversations, assumptions, or undocumented promises should not automatically become part of the escrow agreement.

Example

The scope says:

Later, during a phone call, the Client says:

The admin dashboard is not automatically part of the original scope.

If the Client wants the additional work, it should be added as a written project change and agreed upon by both sides.

SECTION 7 - ADDITIONAL WORK & SCOPE CHANGES

7.1 Work Outside the Scope

If either party wants additional work that is not included in the approved scope, it should be documented before the work begins. Examples:

• New features
• New pages
• New integrations
• New designs
• Additional functionality
• Additional deliverables
• Major changes to the original direction

7.2 Written Change Requirement

A scope change should clearly state:

• What is being added or changed
• Whether there is an additional cost
• Any additional revision allowance
• Any effect on the deadline
• Any effect on milestones

Both Client and Freelancer should agree to the change in writing.

SECTION 8 - WORKING HOURS

8.1 Freelancer Selects Working Hours

Before the project begins, the Freelancer must select their working-hours option through the Mantraist FairWork form. The available options are:

8.2 Project Work Happens Only During the Selected Working Hours

The Freelancer and Client should conduct project-related work, communication, reviews, and required project activity only during the Freelancer's selected working hours.

The selected working-hours schedule becomes the project's normal working window.

Outside that selected time:

Likewise, the Client should not expect project work or immediate project responses outside the Freelancer's selected working hours.

8.3 Client Must Respect the Freelancer's Selected Schedule

The Client is informed of the Freelancer's selected working hours before the project begins.

The Client should plan project communication, feedback, reviews, and required cooperation around that schedule.

A Freelancer should not be treated as unavailable simply because they are not working outside their selected hours.

8.4 Custom Hours

If the Freelancer selects Custom Hours, those hours must be clearly provided through the Mantraist FairWork form.

The agreed custom schedule becomes the applicable working schedule for the project.

Any change to the selected working schedule should be communicated and agreed through the Mantraist FairWork process.

SECTION 9 - WORK PROGRESS

9.1 No Daily Reports Are Required

Freelancers do not need to provide daily reports unless the Project Scope specifically requires them.

Mantraist FairWork uses a simple mid-milestone progress system.

9.2 Mid-Milestone Progress Update

Around the halfway point of a milestone, the Freelancer should provide:

• A short 1-2 line explanation of progress
• A screenshot showing the actual work completed

Example

A milestone lasts six days. Around Day 3, the Freelancer posts:

The Freelancer attaches a screenshot of the current work.

9.3 Screenshot Is the Preferred Progress Standard

A screenshot is the preferred standard because it is:

• Quick to provide
• Easy to open
• Easy to understand
• Useful as evidence of actual progress

A video, Figma link, preview link, or other evidence can also be used when appropriate.

However, a simple screenshot is the normal Mantraist FairWork progress standard.

SECTION 10 - DELIVERABLES & CLIENT REVIEW

10.1 Freelancer Submission

When the Freelancer completes a milestone, they should submit the agreed deliverables through the project communication channel.

The submission should make it clear:

• What was completed
• What files were delivered
• Where the Client can review the work
• Whether anything remains outstanding

10.2 Client Feedback Must Be Clear

If the Client requests changes, the feedback should be written clearly. For example:

1. Change the heading position.
2. Use the agreed font.
3. Make the button larger.
4. Correct the spacing.
5. Match the approved reference.

Clear feedback reduces misunderstandings and unnecessary revision cycles.

SECTION 11 - REVISION RULES

11.1 Two Different Types of Changes

Mantraist FairWork separates:

A. Freelancer mistakes

from

B. Client changes or preferences

These should not be treated the same way.

11.2 Freelancer Mistakes Are Fixed for Free

If the Freelancer:

• Creates a bug
• Breaks a feature
• Misses something clearly written in the scope
• Fails to follow an agreed requirement
• Delivers something incorrectly according to the approved scope

the Freelancer must correct the mistake without charging the Client for that correction.

This applies even if all normal free revision rounds have already been used.

Example

The scope says:

The Freelancer delivers the contact form, but it does not work.

The Freelancer must fix the contact form without charging an additional revision fee.

SECTION 12 - CLIENT CHANGES & PREFERENCE REVISIONS

12.1 Client Changes Use the Revision Policy

If the Freelancer correctly follows the approved scope but the Client changes their mind, the normal revision rules apply.

Example

The scope says:

The Freelancer delivers the agreed blue and white design. The Client later says:

This is a Client preference change.

The agreed free revision allowance can be used first.

Once the included free revisions have been exhausted, additional revisions may be charged according to the agreed paid-revision rate.

SECTION 13 - WHEN A DEMO DOES NOT MATCH THE CLIENT'S EXPECTATIONS

If the Freelancer submits a demo and the Client says:

Mantraist FairWork first checks the written Project Scope and written references.

13.1 Freelancer Did Not Follow the Scope

If the Freelancer clearly ignored the written scope or an agreed reference, the Freelancer must correct the work.

This is treated as a Freelancer mistake and is corrected without charging the Client.

13.2 Freelancer Followed the Scope

If the Freelancer followed the approved scope but the Client now wants a different direction, the normal Client revision rules apply.

13.3 If the Disagreement Continues

If the Client and Freelancer cannot agree after the applicable revision process, Mantraist can review the situation.

Mantraist will examine:

• Approved Project Scope
• Written requirements
• Written references
• Submitted work
• Revision history
• Relevant project communication

SECTION 14 - 72-HOUR COMMUNICATION RULE

14.1 Both Sides Have a 72-Hour Response Requirement

The 72-hour rule applies to both the Client and Freelancer.

Both parties should respond within 72 hours when a response is required. This includes:

• Reviewing submitted work
• Providing feedback
• Providing required files
• Giving approval
• Answering an important project question
• Confirming a project decision

The 72-hour period applies to the required response, but project activity should still follow the Freelancer's selected working-hours schedule.

SECTION 15 - IF THE CLIENT DOES NOT RESPOND

If the Client does not respond within 72 hours without prior notice:

• Project progress may be paused.
• The applicable milestone process may proceed according to Mantraist FairWork rules.
• Where a completed milestone is waiting for Client response, the applicable milestone funds may be released to the Freelancer according to the agreed process.

The purpose of this rule is to prevent a Freelancer from being left waiting indefinitely after completing the required work.

SECTION 16 - IF THE FREELANCER DOES NOT RESPOND

If the Freelancer does not respond within 72 hours without prior notice:

• Project progress may be paused.
• Applicable milestone funds may be refunded to the Client.
• Mantraist may remove the Freelancer from the project if the situation is serious or unresolved.

The purpose is to protect the Client from being left without communication or progress.

SECTION 17 - EMERGENCY EXCEPTION

Mantraist FairWork recognizes that genuine emergencies can happen. Examples include:

• Medical emergencies
• Family emergencies
• Major power or internet problems
• Other serious unexpected situations

If someone cannot respond normally, they should communicate within the 72-hour period whenever reasonably possible.

Example

If the emergency is communicated in time, the parties can agree on a reasonable next communication time.

The agreed communication time becomes the new expected response point.

SECTION 18 - DEADLINES & NIGHT WORK

18.1 Calendar Deadlines

Mantraist FairWork projects should use clear calendar deadlines.

Preferred

Avoid

Calendar deadlines are easier for Clients, Freelancers, and Mantraist to understand.

18.2 Working Outside the Selected Hours

The Freelancer's selected working hours remain the normal working window for the project.

Project work and normal project communication should not be expected outside those selected hours.

However, the final submission deadline remains the agreed calendar deadline.

If a Freelancer voluntarily submits completed work outside their selected working hours, the submission timestamp can still be used as evidence of when the work was submitted.

The Client should not be expected to immediately review the submission outside the applicable working schedule.

SECTION 19 - 72-HOUR REVIEW CLOCK AFTER SUBMISSION

When the Freelancer submits a milestone deliverable, the Client's review period begins from the submission timestamp.

The Client normally has 72 hours to review and respond.

Example

Freelancer submits: Monday, 10:00 PM

The Client's review period starts: Monday, 10:00 PM

The Client should respond within the applicable 72-hour period unless an emergency or agreed extension applies.

The Client should perform the review during the Freelancer's applicable project working schedule where active discussion or clarification is required.

SECTION 20 - ESCROW PAYMENTS OUTSIDE MANTRAIST WORKING HOURS

Clients may make escrow payments outside Mantraist's normal operating hours.

Example

Client pays: Monday, 11:30 PM

The Client provides the payment receipt or transaction reference/UTR where applicable.

Mantraist verifies the payment during its normal operating hours.

The Freelancer is not penalized for the time spent waiting for Mantraist to verify the payment.

The Freelancer begins the milestone after Mantraist confirms the funds.

SECTION 21 - SUNDAYS & MANTRAIST HOLIDAYS

21.1 Sunday Is a Mantraist Holiday

Sunday is a holiday for Mantraist.

Mantraist does not normally process routine escrow verification, payment management, or other regular Mantraist operations on Sundays.

21.2 Escrow Payments Around Sundays

If a Client makes an escrow payment on a Sunday or during a Mantraist holiday, the payment will be managed according to the applicable payment and verification process.

The Freelancer should wait for Mantraist's confirmation before beginning a new milestone that requires escrow confirmation.

The time taken because of a Mantraist holiday should not be treated as a Freelancer delay.

21.3 Project Deadlines and Mantraist Holidays

A Mantraist holiday does not automatically change a project's agreed deadline.

If a deadline, payment, review, or other project event is affected by a Mantraist holiday, the applicable situation can be reviewed according to the Project Scope and Mantraist FairWork rules.

SECTION 22 - MISSED DEADLINES

22.1 Submission Before Deadline

If the Freelancer submits before the agreed deadline, the work is considered submitted on time regardless of the submission time.

22.2 Prior Notice

If the Freelancer knows they cannot meet the deadline, they should communicate before the deadline whenever reasonably possible.

Example

The Client and Freelancer can discuss the extension, with Mantraist stepping in when necessary.

22.3 No Notice

If the deadline passes and the Freelancer:

• Provides no submission
• Provides no meaningful communication
• Gives no prior notice

the deadline is treated as missed.

The Client may contact Mantraist to review the situation.

The Client may request that applicable unworked milestone funds be refunded.

SECTION 23 - MANTRAIST'S ROLE

Mantraist is the coordinator and fairness layer of the Mantraist FairWork process.

Mantraist does not need to monitor every conversation.

The Client and Freelancer remain responsible for their normal project communication.

Mantraist's primary responsibilities include:

• Reviewing the Project Scope
• Confirming escrow payments
• Confirming when work can begin
• Processing milestone payments
• Supporting milestone completion
• Reviewing serious disputes
• Handling communication failures
• Helping address deadline problems
• Protecting the written project agreement
• Managing escrow according to the Mantraist FairWork process

SECTION 24 - DISPUTES & PROBLEM HANDLING

If a serious disagreement occurs, the Client or Freelancer can involve Mantraist.

Mantraist should review the available project evidence, including:

• Approved Project Scope
• Custom written terms
• Written references
• Milestone requirements
• Submitted work
• Screenshots and progress evidence
• Revision history
• Relevant project communication
• Payment records

The goal is to determine what was actually agreed and whether the work followed that agreement.

SECTION 25 - NEW OR UNMENTIONED PROBLEMS

Mantraist FairWork is being developed and improved over time.

Not every possible project problem can be predicted in advance.

25.1 New Rules Are Not Retroactive

If Mantraist introduces a new Mantraist FairWork rule after a project has already started, that new rule will not automatically apply to projects that are already running.

The existing project will continue under the rules and terms that applied when that project was started, unless the Client and Freelancer agree to an applicable change where appropriate.

New rules are primarily intended for projects started after the new rule is introduced.

25.2 Problems Not Covered by the Current Rules

If a problem occurs that is not specifically mentioned in the Mantraist FairWork rules, Mantraist will review the situation based on:

• The Project Scope
• The written project terms
• The existing Mantraist FairWork principles
• The available project evidence
• Fair treatment of both Client and Freelancer

Mantraist may discuss the situation with the Client and Freelancer and work toward a reasonable solution.

25.3 Early-Stage Mantraist FairWork Development

Because Mantraist FairWork is being developed and improved during its early stages, Mantraist may encounter situations that were not originally anticipated.

If a new problem appears, Mantraist can discuss the situation with the Client and Freelancer rather than automatically applying an unrelated rule.

If an existing rule creates an unusual or frustrating situation for both sides, Mantraist may review the situation and work with both parties to find a reasonable solution.

The purpose is to make Mantraist FairWork stronger over time without unfairly changing the rules of projects that are already running.

SECTION 26 - PROJECT DEADLOCK & EMERGENCY EXIT

26.1 What Is a Deadlock?

A deadlock occurs when the Client and Freelancer have a serious disagreement and, after reasonable discussion and the applicable revision process, they still cannot agree on how to continue.

Example

The Client wants a completely different result.

The Freelancer believes they have correctly followed the agreed scope.

They discuss the issue.

The applicable revisions are used.

They still cannot agree.

The project is now stuck.

This is a deadlock.

26.2 Mantraist Can Step In

If a genuine deadlock occurs, Mantraist can review the situation and help determine whether the project can reasonably continue.

The goal is not to automatically take one person's side.

The goal is to determine what was agreed, what work was completed, and whether continuing the project is practical.

26.3 If the Project Cannot Continue

If the Client and Freelancer genuinely cannot continue working together, the affected milestone or project may be closed or cancelled.

Generally:

• Properly completed work remains eligible for the applicable payment according to the project terms.
• Future unstarted milestones do not become payable.
• Funds already held for future unstarted milestones may be returned to the Client.
• Neither side should be forced to continue a project that has reached an unresolvable deadlock.

The exact outcome depends on the Project Scope, milestone status, work completed, payment status, and circumstances of the dispute.

SECTION 27 - WHEN TO CONTACT MANTRAIST

The Client or Freelancer should contact Mantraist when:

Before Starting

The Project Scope is ready for review.

When Funding a Milestone

The Client has deposited the milestone amount into escrow.

When a Milestone Is Completed

The Freelancer has submitted the milestone and the Client has approved it.

When Something Goes Wrong

Examples:

• Dispute
• Serious disagreement
• 72-hour communication failure
• Missed deadline
• Payment issue
• Scope disagreement
• Major project problem
• Need for mediation
• Problem not covered by the existing Mantraist FairWork rules

For normal project discussions, Client and Freelancer should communicate directly.

SECTION 28 - MANTRAIST FAIRWORK PROJECT FLOW

Step 1 - Scope Agreement

Client and Freelancer agree on the written Project Scope.

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Step 2 - Working Hours Selected

Freelancer selects their working-hours option through the Mantraist FairWork form.

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Step 3 - Mantraist Review

Mantraist reviews the scope and project structure.

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Step 4 - Milestone Funding

Client funds the active milestone into escrow.

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Step 5 - Escrow Verification

Mantraist verifies that the payment has been received.

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Step 6 - Freelancer Starts

Freelancer begins the funded milestone during their selected working hours.

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Step 7 - Mid-Milestone Progress

Freelancer provides a short progress update and screenshot around the halfway point.

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Step 8 - Milestone Submission

Freelancer submits the completed milestone.

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Step 9 - Client Review

Client reviews the submission and responds within 72 hours.

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Step 10 - Revision if Required

If the Freelancer made a mistake, it is corrected for free.

If the Client requests a preference change, the agreed revision policy applies.

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Step 11 - Milestone Approval

Client approves the completed milestone.

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Step 12 - Payment Release

Mantraist releases the applicable milestone payment.

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Step 13 - Next Milestone Funding

Client funds the next milestone into escrow.

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Step 14 - Process Repeats

Freelancer starts the next funded milestone during their selected working hours.

The same process continues until final delivery.

SECTION 29 - MANTRAIST FAIRWORK CORE PRINCIPLES

1. Written Scope

What is agreed should be clearly written.

2. Funded Work

A Freelancer should not begin a new milestone before its required funds are confirmed.

3. Real Progress

Projects should have visible progress, with screenshots as the preferred mid-milestone update.

4. Fair Revisions

Freelancer mistakes are fixed for free.

Client preference changes follow the agreed revision policy.

5. Fair Communication

Both Client and Freelancer are expected to respond within the 72-hour rule when a response is required.

6. Respect for Selected Working Hours

The Freelancer selects the project's working-hours schedule through the Mantraist FairWork form.

Project work and normal project communication should be conducted during that selected schedule.

7. Clear Deadlines

Project deadlines are based on clearly agreed calendar dates and submission timestamps.

8. Documented Changes

Additional work should be written and agreed before it becomes part of the project.

9. Fair Payment

Completed work should be paid according to the agreed milestone structure.

10. Continuous Improvement

Mantraist FairWork rules may be improved as Mantraist learns from real project situations.

New rules are not automatically applied retroactively to projects that are already running.

11. Fair Problem Solving

If a problem is not covered by an existing rule, Mantraist will review the situation with the Client and Freelancer and work toward a reasonable solution.