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A public, community-driven space for exploring Zenon’s architecture, documenting research, and enabling developers to collaborate on future directions of the Network of Momentum.

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ZENON DEVELOPER COMMONS

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A public, community-driven space for exploring and documenting the technical architecture of Zenon — The Network of Momentum (NoM).

Before using these models, read docs/architecture/bounded-verification-boundaries.md

Research Architecture Light Client License: MIT

The full, structured Zenon architecture documentation is available here:
👉 https://zenon-developer-commons.gitbook.io/zenon-developer-commons-docs

Context and Reading Guide

docs/notes/genesis_anchoring_and_verification_context.md

*** Explains how the Bitcoin-anchored genesis reframes the verification model explored in this repository.

What This Repository Is

This repository serves as:

  • a space for ongoing research into whether Zenon’s architecture can support a browser-native, proof-verified light client using technologies like WebRTC and libp2p
  • a neutral hub for engineering research
  • a place to organize architecture insights
  • a space to publish design notes, proposals, and analysis
  • a way for developers to collaborate without relying on chatrooms or politics

The goal is simple:
Make Zenon’s deeper technical ideas easier to explore, discover, and understand.


░░ Why This Repository Exists ░░

Zenon is an unconventional architecture combining:

  • deterministic, VM-free contract interfaces
  • modular execution layers
  • dual-token economics
  • peer-to-peer communication primitives
  • concepts like Sentries, Pillars, and Accelerators

However, much of Zenon’s design intent is:

  • scattered
  • undocumented
  • buried in old chats
  • or never fully explained publicly

This repository provides a structured place to collect, clarify, and refine that knowledge.


░░ What This Repository Is Not ░░

It is not:

  • a governance tool
  • a decision-making authority
  • a replacement for core developers
  • a political or social channel
  • a roadmap for the ecosystem

It is an open research space for technical thinkers who want to explore how Zenon works — or how it could evolve.


░░ Who This Is For ░░

This repository is intended for:

  • protocol researchers
  • distributed systems engineers
  • blockchain architecture enthusiasts
  • P2P networking developers
  • cryptography and SPV-proof engineers
  • browser / WebRTC / libp2p developers
  • Zenon ecosystem contributors
  • curious readers with technical interest

You do not need to be an expert to participate.


░░ Initial Research Areas ░░

Featured Research


External Fact Verification (Exploratory)

  • Bitcoin SPV feasibility within Zenon’s ledger model
  • Verifying external consensus facts without executing foreign state machines
  • Unilateral, proof-based observation (not bridges or asset custody)

Architecture

  • NoM design overview
  • Account-chain vs momentum-based models
  • Deterministic contract interfaces (ACIs)
  • Sentry node conceptual design
  • Fusion, Plasma, and QSR mechanics

Potential Future Directions

  • Browser-native light clients
  • libp2p transports for Zenon
  • WebRTC peer-to-peer connectivity
  • Proof-serving nodes
  • Off-chain, VM-less execution models

Open Questions

  • What parts of NoM were intentionally designed for light clients?
  • Can Zenon support browser-native node execution?
  • How does Zenon achieve deterministic execution without a VM?
  • What role would Sentries play in proof-serving?
  • How do extension chains fit into Zenon’s long-term architecture?

░░ How to Contribute ░░

Contributions of all kinds are welcome — including beginners.

You may:

  • open issues for questions or research topics
  • add documents under /docs
  • create diagrams or architecture sketches
  • propose improvements
  • participate in GitHub Discussions (if enabled)

All contributions should remain:

  • technical
  • respectful
  • calm
  • curiosity-driven

This is a place for collaboration, not confrontation.


░░ Key Documents ░░


░░ Curated Reading List ░░

This reading list provides background material and adjacent research that can help developers understand Zenon’s architecture and evaluate the feasibility of browser-native light clients, deterministic off-chain execution, and modern P2P transport layers.

Zenon-Specific Resources

  • Zenon Docs (Community Snapshot)
    Concepts such as momentums, account-chains, ACIs, plasma, and fusion.
    (Use the most recent community-maintained sources.)

  • Zenon GitHub Organization
    Review the C++ and Go repositories for architecture hints.


Browser & Light Client Technologies

  • Nakamoto SPV — Bitcoin Whitepaper (Section 8)
    Foundational model for lightweight verification without full nodes.

  • BIP-157/158 — Neutrino
    Modern SPV protocol design using compact filters.

  • WebRTC DataChannel Overview (MDN)
    Understanding browser-native peer-to-peer communication.

  • libp2p Documentation
    Modular networking stack used by IPFS, Filecoin, and other decentralized systems.

  • libp2p WebRTC Transport Specification
    How P2P connectivity can be achieved from inside the browser.

  • IndexedDB (MDN)
    Browser storage options for headers, proofs, and local partial state.


Deterministic Execution & VM-Free Design

  • Deterministic State Machines in Distributed Systems
    Useful background for understanding Zenon’s ACI design.

  • Optimistic Rollup Architecture (High-Level)
    Not directly related to Zenon, but useful for understanding off-chain execution with on-chain verification.

  • Merkle Trees & Proof Systems
    Practical knowledge for proof-serving, account block inclusion, and SPV mechanics.


P2P & Networking Theory

  • Kademlia DHT
    Foundational theory for peer discovery in decentralized networks.

  • libp2p Peer Routing & Discovery Modules
    Helps understand how browser peers might discover full nodes or Sentries.

  • NAT Traversal & STUN/TURN Basics
    Required background for WebRTC-based node connections.


Blockchain Architecture References

  • Avalanche — Snowcone Light Client Paper
    Modern example of proof-efficient light clients.

  • Zcash Halo 2 Overview (Optional)
    Advanced topic; useful for understanding recursive proof systems.

  • Tendermint Light Client Spec
    Example of deterministic header verification logic.


Optional Deeper Background

  • Google QUIC + WebTransport Overview
    Helpful for thinking about future browser-native transports.

  • Ethereum Stateless Client Research
    Explores how minimal data structures enable ultra-light clients.


These materials are not required knowledge, but they can be extremely helpful for anyone exploring Zenon’s architectural possibilities or contributing new research.


░░ License ░░

MIT License — open to anyone who wants to learn or build.

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