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

# Architecture overview

Z is composed of several integrated components. Upon launch, the inference layer comes online: users get private access to a range of models through a single API surface, routed across providers and trust tiers, with hardware-attested TEEs backing the higher tiers and a unified credit ledger handling payment across fiat and on-chain rails. Shortly after launch, the rest of the core platform ships: a neutral ledger with its consensus mechanism, the ShieldedPool privacy primitive, the initial Zcosystem utilities (Z Trade, Z Lend, USDZ, and more), and the bridges that connect Z to outside liquidity. Ultimately, the platform will expand further with additional utilities, tools, and features built on top of these foundations. Each component ships on the timeline detailed in the roadmap.

## The architecture at launch

1. **The Z Inference Gateway.** A single OpenAI-compatible API surface. Routes inference requests across upstream providers and trust tiers. Enforces tier boundaries cryptographically.
2. **The payment layer.** A unified credit ledger fed by Stripe (fiat top-ups), x402 (per-request on-chain settlement on Base and Solana), and MPP (pre-authorized session payments). Inference debits the credit pool regardless of the rail of origin.
3. **The TEE substrate.** Hardware-attested TEEs back Tiers 3 and 4 of the inference gateway. Attestation verification, revocation propagation, and per-tier routing isolation are operational.

These pieces compose into a system where an integrator can send an inference request, pay through any of three rails, and choose a cryptographically enforced trust level.

## The broader architecture

The broader Z Protocol architecture additionally includes:

* **The Z ledger.** A sovereign blockchain with Zcash Satoshi Plus consensus, EVM compatibility, and integrated privacy primitives.
* **The bridge stack.** Bridges between Z Chain and external networks (LayerZero at chain launch, a ZEC SPV bridge subsequently, FROST-based withdrawal).
* **The validator network.** Permissionless validator operation under Zcash Satoshi Plus consensus, dual-staked by ZEC and Z.
* **Zcosystem utilities.** USDZ, Z Trade, Z Lend, and other tools for agentic on-chain usage.

These are described in detail in documentation that ships alongside the corresponding capability. The roadmap tracks their status.

## Where to read more

* [Inference overview](/docs/inference/overview)
* [Trust tiers](/docs/inference/trust-tiers)
* [Payment overview](/docs/payments/overview)
* [ShieldedPool overview](/docs/shieldedpool/overview)
* [Roadmap](/docs/reference/roadmap)