The Mechanics of Melt

How the Bid-to-Rank Engine Works

One continuous rule powers the leaderboard: every bid raises your score instantly, and every score decays over time toward a guaranteed floor. The top spot is never permanent, and no participant is ever completely wiped out.

The Mathematical Decay Formula

Scores are calculated in real-time as a continuous exponential decay function evaluated at the exact millisecond of the query:

Score(t) = Floor + (BaseScore - Floor) × (0.5)^(t / 5.0 days)

Floor = LifetimePaid × 0.20

The permanent baseline that never erodes.

Half-Life = 5 Days

The time required for 50% of the active surplus to melt away.

Bidding boosts your score instantly

Every payment adds dollar-for-dollar to your listing's current decayed score. There are no cooldown periods or bidding limits — taking the #1 spot is always achievable with a calculated bid.

Scores decay continuously on a 5-day half-life

Every 5 days, the difference between your score and your floor cuts in half. This is computed dynamically on read without batch scripts or scheduled cron jobs.

Guaranteed floor: 20% of lifetime paid

Your score will never drop below 20% of everything you have ever spent. As you participate over time, your permanent floor rises, rewarding historical commitment while keeping the board competitive.

Ready to climb the leaderboard?

List your project and outrank competitors in real-time.