Idle is a decentralized finance (DeFi) protocol whose goal is to automate yield generation for users holding crypto assets, letting them earn returns without constant management. It offers two main product types: Best Yield, which automatically allocates funds across protocols to maximize interest, and Yield Tranches, which split risk and reward into senior and junior portions. When users deposit funds in Idle, they receive tokens representing their stake in the strategy, which accrue yield over time.

The protocol supports multiple blockchains (Ethereum, Polygon, etc.), giving flexibility over where to deploy and earn. Governance is managed by holders of the IDLE token via timelock-governed contracts, allowing proposals, voting, and upgrades under certain conditions. Fees are charged on performance: when yields are harvested or users withdraw from Best Yield or Yield Tranches, a share goes to the treasury. Risk stratification is built in via tranching: senior tranches bear less risk but lower return, while junior take higher risk and higher potential yield.