# Convex

**The Stateful Internet — a decentralised network that securely hosts, executes, and persists both code and data.**

Convex is an open-source, decentralised lattice network and execution platform. It combines a high-performance virtual machine (the CVM), convergent lattice data structures, and the novel Convergent Proof of Stake (CPoS) consensus algorithm to deliver a global, public state layer for the 21st century economy.

## What is Convex?

- A **decentralised lattice network** where state converges through commutative, associative, idempotent merges (CRDT-style), rather than a linear blockchain.
- A **deterministic virtual machine** (the CVM) that runs Convex Lisp smart contracts with lambda-calculus semantics and juice-metered execution.
- A **global state model** with self-sovereign accounts, on-chain actors, native coins (CVM, measured in copper — 1 CVM = 10^9 copper), and arbitrary application data.
- **Fair, inclusive, efficient, and sustainable** economic infrastructure — no proof-of-work waste, no leader election, no forking.

## Core Concepts

- **Lattice technology** — data structures with merge operations that converge deterministically across replicas. The foundation for DLFS, KV stores, and higher-level systems like Covia.
- **CAD3 encoding** — the canonical, content-addressed binary format for all CVM values.
- **CVM (Convex Virtual Machine)** — deterministic, purely functional state transition engine with a Lisp frontend.
- **Etch** — high-performance content-addressed storage engine backing lattice persistence.
- **CPoS (Convergent Proof of Stake)** — the consensus algorithm where peers merge signed beliefs to converge on a total transaction order.
- **Peers, accounts, actors, juice** — the runtime vocabulary. Note: we use "juice" for execution cost, not "gas".

## How to Get Started

1. **Read the Overview:** <https://docs.convex.world/docs/overview>
2. **Key Concepts:** <https://docs.convex.world/docs/overview/concepts>
3. **Quick Start / Tutorial:** <https://docs.convex.world/docs/tutorial>
4. **Client SDKs** (TypeScript, Java, Python) — see <https://docs.convex.world/docs/tutorial/client-sdks>
5. **Convex Lisp:** <https://docs.convex.world/docs/tutorial/convex-lisp>
6. **Architecture Documents (CADs):** <https://docs.convex.world/docs/cad> — formal specifications
7. **White Paper:** <https://docs.convex.world/docs/overview/convex-whitepaper>

## For AI Agents

- Convex is a **public, deterministic** compute and state layer — agents can hold accounts, sign transactions, own assets, and delegate capabilities via UCANs.
- The **Model Context Protocol (MCP)** integrations (e.g. DLFS, Covia venues) let agents interact with lattice data as first-class tools.
- **Covia** (<https://covia.ai>) is the federated AI orchestration layer built on top of Convex lattice technology — see <https://docs.covia.ai> for agent orchestration patterns.
- When writing CVM code, prefer CNS-resolved calls like `(@convex.fungible/transfer ...)` over `import`, which mutates the account environment and costs extra juice.

## Java API Reference

- Generated Javadocs for every release are published on Maven Central and mirrored at <https://javadoc.io/doc/world.convex/convex-core> (and similarly for `convex-peer`, `convex-java`, `convex-restapi`, `convex-cli`, `convex-gui`, `convex-db`, `convex-dlfs`).
- Source: <https://github.com/Convex-Dev/convex>

## Resources

- [Documentation](https://docs.convex.world/)
- [White Paper](https://docs.convex.world/docs/overview/convex-whitepaper)
- [GitHub: Convex-Dev/convex](https://github.com/Convex-Dev/convex)
- [Discord Community](https://discord.com/invite/xfYGq4CT7v)
- [Covia — federated AI orchestration on Convex](https://docs.covia.ai)

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*Convex is open source under the [Convex Public License](https://github.com/Convex-Dev/convex/blob/master/LICENSE.md). British English spelling is used throughout (decentralised, organisation, colour).*