> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.phylax.systems/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> Block exploits before they execute by linking security rules to your smart contracts on-chain.

Use this page to understand what the Credible Layer is and choose the right documentation path for your goal.

## What is the Credible Layer?

The Credible Layer is security infrastructure that enables developers to link security rules to their smart contracts on-chain. Then, the network validates every transaction that interacts with their smart contracts against their security rules, dropping any invalidating transaction.

<Note>
  Use this page to choose the right kind of documentation for what you need next:

  * Learn by doing: [Quickstart Tutorial](./pcl-quickstart)
  * Complete a specific task: [How-to Guides](./credible-install)
  * Understand the system: [High-Level Overview](./credible-layer-overview)
  * Look up commands and APIs: [Reference](./cli-reference)
</Note>

## How It Works

<Steps>
  <Step title="Define rules in Solidity">
    Write assertions—security rules that define states your protocol should never reach. No contract modifications required.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Network validates every transaction">
    The network checks each transaction against your assertions before inclusion in a block.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Invalid transactions are dropped">
    Transactions that violate your rules are dropped by the network and never execute.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Choose the Right Path

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Learn by Doing" icon="rocket" href="./pcl-quickstart">
    Follow a guided tutorial to write, test, and deploy your first assertion end to end.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Complete a Task" icon="list-check" href="./apply-assertions">
    Jump straight to task-focused guides for installation, deployment, testing, and operations.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Understand the System" icon="compass" href="./architecture-overview">
    Read the explanation docs for architecture, trust model, assertions, and the platform.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Look Up Details" icon="book" href="./cheatcodes-reference">
    Use the reference docs for commands, cheatcodes, glossary entries, and use-case mappings.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## By Audience

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Protocol Teams" icon="browser" href="./dapp-integration">
    See the adoption path for writing assertions, deploying them, and monitoring incidents.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Networks and Sequencers" icon="sitemap" href="./network-integration">
    See the high-level integration path for enforcement during block building.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Security Engineers" icon="shield-halved" href="../assertions-book/assertions-book-intro">
    Browse pattern catalogs and exploit case studies in the Assertions Book.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Researchers and Auditors" icon="magnifying-glass" href="./dapp-transparency-dashboard">
    Inspect deployed assertions, incidents, and public protocol coverage.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Key Benefits

* **Pre-execution prevention** — Exploits are blocked before they execute, not detected after
* **No contract changes** — Add protection to any contract, including immutable ones
* **Transparent & verifiable** — All rules are public Solidity, auditable by anyone
* **No external execution services** — Enforcement runs within the network’s block-building flow
* **Deterministic decisions** — Binary enforcement based on your rules, not opaque scoring

## Community & Support

Have questions or want to connect with the Phylax community?

* Join our [Telegram](https://t.me/phylax_credible_layer)
* Follow us on [X/Twitter](https://x.com/phylaxsystems)
* Explore our [GitHub](https://github.com/phylaxsystems)
* Visit the [Phylax Website](https://phylax.systems)

## Learn More

For the visual learners, here's a video introduction to the Credible Layer:

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