Editing Nomos/Requirements (section)

== 2. Overall Description ==

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=== 2.1 Product Perspective ===

Nomos is a novel blockchain system composed of three main layers:

# Base Layer (BL)
* Provides data availability and consensus
* Implements Private Proof of Stake
* Focuses on network resilience and censorship resistance
* Scales through sharding and data availability sampling

# Coordination Layer (CL)
* Enables state transition verification through zero-knowledge proofs
* Provides intent matching and proof aggregation
* Handles cross-zone communication
* Manages special operations like zone creation

# Zones
* Independent execution environments
* Can be configured as ZK-rollups or virtual sidechains
* Share data availability and consensus from Base Layer
* Support arbitrary execution models and privacy requirements

The system is verified by a network of Light Nodes that provide additional security and decentralization.

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=== 2.2 Product Functions ===

The major functions of Nomos include:

Base Layer MUST:
* Execute Private Proof of Stake consensus through Blend Network &amp; Cryptarchia
* Provide data availability guarantees
* Enable network-level privacy through the libp2p-mix module
* Support sharding for scalability
* Process and order data blobs

Coordination Layer MUST:
* Verify zero-knowledge proofs
* Enable cross-zone communication
* Manage zone lifecycle operations
* Support intent matching and aggregation
* Process special operations

Zones MUST:
* Support independent state execution
* Enable flexible security/performance tradeoffs
* Allow arbitrary execution models
* Support privacy-preserving computation
* Enable data availability sampling

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=== 2.3 User Classes and Characteristics ===

The system serves the following user classes, who collectively participate in network governance:

# Validators
* Operate nodes in the Base Layer and Coordination Layer
* Require technical knowledge to run nodes
* Need to stake tokens as security deposit
* Participate in consensus and verification
* Contribute to network security and decentralization

# Zone Operators
* Deploy and manage sovereign execution environments
* Require deep technical knowledge
* Need to ensure zone security and performance
* May implement custom privacy features
* Enable sovereign community governance

# Application Developers
* Build applications on zones
* Need to understand zone capabilities
* Implement corruption-resistant institutions
* Interact with cross-zone communication
* Create tools for community coordination

# End Users
* Interact with applications built on zones
* Run light nodes for verification
* Require privacy protections
* Need simple interfaces
* Participate in network validation and governance

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=== 2.4 Operating Environment ===

The Base Layer MUST:
* Support commodity hardware for validators
* Operate on standard Linux/Unix systems
* Support home internet connections
* Handle intermittent connectivity

The Coordination Layer MUST:
* Support specialized hardware for proof generation
* Operate on high-performance systems
* Handle high bandwidth requirements
* Support distributed proof generation

Zones MAY:
* Require specialized hardware
* Implement custom networking protocols
* Support different consensus mechanisms
* Have unique performance requirements

<span id="design-and-implementation-constraints"></span>
=== 2.5 Design and Implementation Constraints ===

The system has the following constraints:

# Required Privacy Constraints (MVP)
* Network communication MUST be privacy-preserving through libp2p-mix
* Validator stakes MUST remain private through Blend Network
* Block proposers MUST remain anonymous through Cryptarchia
* Cross-zone communication MUST support basic privacy guarantees
* Intent matching SHOULD preserve privacy where possible

# Performance Constraints (MVP)
* Base Layer MUST support commodity hardware
* Light nodes MUST operate with minimal resources
* Proof generation MUST be practical
* Network bandwidth usage MUST be optimized
* Message mixing overhead MUST be manageable

# Security Constraints (MVP)
* No trusted setup for core protocol
* No centralized components
* Basic cryptographic primitives MUST be proven secure
* Security MUST scale with network size
* Privacy guarantees MUST be maintained under partial compromise

# Compatibility Constraints (MVP)
* MUST support different zone architectures
* MUST enable cross-zone communication
* MUST support core privacy technologies
* MUST enable sovereign execution environments
* MUST allow flexible privacy/performance tradeoffs

<span id="user-documentation"></span>
=== 2.6 User Documentation ===

The following documentation MUST be provided:
* Node operator guides
* Zone deployment documentation
* Application development guides
* Light node user guides
* Protocol specifications
* Security documentation

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=== 2.7 Assumptions and Dependencies ===

Assumptions:
* Cryptographic primitives remain secure
* Network bandwidth continues to increase
* Hardware costs continue to decrease
* Privacy remains a priority for users

Dependencies:
* Required Privacy Technologies:
** Zero-knowledge proof systems for state verification
** Message mixing and blending for consensus privacy
** Cover traffic generation for anonymity sets
** Private P2P communication protocols
* Recommended Privacy Enhancements:
** Intent privacy techniques
** Relationship hiding mechanisms
** Advanced cryptographic primitives
* Core Infrastructure:
** Data availability sampling
** Distributed key generation
** Threshold cryptography

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