> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.altitude.fi/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.altitude.fi/general/protocol-overview/actively-managing-idle-capital.md).
# Actively Managing Idle Capital
When you borrow less than the maximum allowed, you have unused borrowing power. Most protocols let this sit idle, doing nothing. We call this 'idle capital,' and Altitude puts it to work earning yield on your behalf.
For example, if you deposit $10,000 of ETH, you could borrow up to 80% ($8,000 USDC). But borrowing at the maximum is risky if ETH drops in value, so you might borrow only 30% ($3,000 USDC) to stay safe. That leaves 50% of your borrowing power unused. Most protocols let that sit idle. Altitude activates a portion of it to generate yield that pays down your loan.
Altitude automatically activates part of this idle capital to generate yield on behalf of its users. Yield earned is automatically used to repay part of users’ debt.
## Changes in value of collateral
If the value of a user's collateral goes **up** and the user doesn't add or remove collateral, the loan-to-value for the user will **decrease** (just like other lending protocols). Altitude will then borrow more, so that there's more capital at work.
If the value of a user's collateral goes **down** and the user doesn't add or remove collateral, the loan-to-value for the user will **increase** (just like other lending protocols). Altitude will then borrow less, to reduce the overall loan-to-value to the vault's preset.
Your capital is finally working as hard as you did to earn it.
---
# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.
## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.
Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:
```
GET https://docs.altitude.fi/general/protocol-overview/actively-managing-idle-capital.md?ask=&goal=
```
`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.
Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.