Charleston's parking meters are pretty straightforward: you put in your money, and you get a certain amount of time to park. But, be warned, the meter maids are always on the lookout for expired meters, so make sure you feed the meter or you'll be facing a hefty fine. And, trust me, you don't want to be that guy who gets a ticket on vacation.
The city has a parking app that makes it easy to pay for parking, and you can even extend your time remotely, which is super convenient. But, if you're a technophobe, don't worry, you can still use coins or credit cards at the meters. Just don't expect to use your cryptocurrency just yet, Charleston isn't quite that hip... yet.