# Architecture

Autonomys is a modular, hyper-scalable, storage-based Layer-1 blockchain network that decouples consensus from execution, dividing the core [PoAS consensus](/autonomys-network/consensus.md) chain—maintained by [farmers](/auto-suite/spaceacres-cli/farmers.md)—from a nearly unlimited number of secondary [decoupled execution (DecEx)](/autonomys-network/decoupled-execution.md) chains ([domains](/autonomys-network/decoupled-execution/domains.md))—maintained by [operators](/auto-suite/spaceacres-cli/operators.md). Our extensive [distributed storage network (DSN)](/autonomys-network/distributed-storage-network.md) is a byproduct of the SSD space provided by our farmers to secure the network. The Autonomys Network is an instance of the [Subspace Protocol](/autonomys-network/consensus.md) based on Substrate and written in Rust.

Our permissionless peer-to-peer network allows anyone with an SSD to join, permitting wide participation and engendering strong decentralization, while PoAS consensus ensures efficient data availability and environmentally friendly maintenance of the blockchain's state and immutable history. The modularity provided by our DecEx domains and DSN architecture enables unparalleled scalability and adaptability for developers building on the application layer. Domains support any state transition framework and execution environment, fostering cross-chain interoperability. Key innovations including [Auto ID](/auto-suite/auto-id.md) and Auto Score—built on domains—provide a secure, verifiable identity system for both humans and AI entities that helps address the fundamental challenge of establishing trust in an increasingly AI-integrated world, at the same time as allowing for content authentication, and delegation of permissioned authority.

Autonomys' AI3.0 infrastructure stack, composed of four layers, forms a comprehensive ecosystem that abstracts away the complexities of blockchain development while enabling unprecedented scalability, security and flexibility for developers building any conceivable on-chain AI application:

<figure><img src="/files/22MjBTRtMOKfP0LGneDe" alt=""><figcaption><p>Autonomys AI3.0 Stack</p></figcaption></figure>

* [***dApp/Agent Layer***](/autonomys-vision/use-cases.md)***:*** facilitating the development and deployment of super dApps (AI-powered dApps) and Autonomys Agents ([Auto ID](/auto-suite/auto-id.md)-integrated on-chain agents) for verifiable digital interaction.
* [***Execution/Domain Layer***](/autonomys-network/decoupled-execution.md)***:*** secure, scalable distributed compute for AI training, inference and agentic workflows.
* [***Consensus Layer***](/autonomys-network/consensus.md)***:*** verifiable decentralized sequencing and transaction validation for shared security.
* [***Storage Layer***](/autonomys-network/distributed-storage-network.md)***:*** multi-layer distributed storage ensures data integrity and permanent availability—crucial for storing vast amounts of AI data.

Utilizing the [Subspace Protocol](/autonomys-network/introduction.md), with its innovative hybrid [Proof-of-Archival-Storage (PoAS)](/autonomys-network/consensus/proof-of-archival-storage.md)/[Proof-of-Time (PoT)](/autonomys-network/consensus/proof-of-time.md)/[Nominated Proof-of-Stake (NPoS)](/autonomys-network/decoupled-execution/staking.md) consensus mechanism, our decentralized physical infrastructure network (DePIN) incentivizes active participation through the permissionless contribution of any amount of storage space or compute, or staking of any amount of tokens, permitting unprecedented accessibility.

## Autonomys Network Visualization

{% embed url="<http://youtube.com/watch?v=9jTBihUeq70>" %}

<figure><img src="/files/DgRZTEfK4igUSLbulWsO" alt=""><figcaption><p>Autonomys Network visualization</p></figcaption></figure>


---

# Agent Instructions: 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:

```
GET https://academy.autonomys.xyz/autonomys-network/architecture.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
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.