> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://opentrain.ai/docs/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Hire and manage contracts > Hire an AI trainer, fund the first milestone, manage contract work, and approve completed milestones. Hiring creates the contract, funds the first milestone, and opens the post-hire workspace for job messages, instructions, and milestone management. ## Start from a reviewed proposal Open the proposal detail and click **Hire** when you are ready to move forward. Employer hire and fund modal showing an AI trainer, hourly rate, one funded hour, deposit total, payment method, credit balance, escrow note, and Hire and Deposit action.

Employer hire and fund modal showing an AI trainer, hourly rate, one funded hour, deposit total, payment method, credit balance, escrow note, and Hire and Deposit action.

The hire flow asks for the first milestone amount, description, and optional due date. Review the payment method before you confirm. ## What happens after hire After hire: * the proposal moves to **Hired**; * OpenTrain creates a contract for the AI trainer; * the first milestone becomes visible in the contract; * post-hire job messages become the right place for delivery coordination. Employer proposal detail modal showing a hired AI trainer, Hired status, internal notes field, and Open job messages action.

Employer proposal detail modal showing a hired AI trainer, Hired status, internal notes field, and Open job messages action.

## Manage milestones Open the **Contract** tab to review funded work, add later milestones, approve completed work, and keep payment history tied to the job. Employer Contract tab showing the Milestone Timeline with Paid, Active and Funded, and Not Funded milestone rows, dollar amounts, and milestone actions.

Employer Contract tab showing the Milestone Timeline with Paid, Active and Funded, and Not Funded milestone rows, dollar amounts, and milestone actions.

## Add and fund later milestones For subsequent work, click **Add Milestone** from the contract. Each milestone needs a deliverable description, amount, and optional due date. Employer Add Milestone modal with fields for milestone name, description, amount, and due date.

Employer Add Milestone modal with fields for milestone name, description, amount, and due date.

Milestones can be created before they are funded. They remain **Not Funded** until payment is collected. ## Approve completed work Approve milestones only after you have reviewed the delivered work. When you approve, OpenTrain starts payout to the AI trainer's connected payout method and marks the milestone as paid. Employer Contract tab showing the Approve and Release Payment action for an Active and Funded milestone.

Employer Contract tab showing the Approve and Release Payment action for an Active and Funded milestone.

Released funds are not self-serve reversible in the platform. Contact support if you need help with a payment dispute or mistaken approval.