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

# Autheo OS model

> An overview of Autheo's layered operating model: Layer 0 settlement, Layer 1 compute and blockchain, and the application layer above.

Autheo is built on a multi-layer operating model that separates concerns cleanly between settlement, consensus, compute, and application logic. This separation allows each layer to evolve independently while maintaining a coherent value flow across the stack.

## Layer 0 — Settlement and interoperability

Layer 0 provides cross-chain settlement, secure state verification, and network interoperability. It is the foundation that ensures diverse protocols and systems can communicate efficiently without requiring full migration to the Autheo chain.

Key responsibilities:

* Cross-chain message passing and asset settlement
* Verification of state proofs across connected networks
* IBC (Inter-Blockchain Communication) relay coordination

## Layer 1 — Autheo Chain

Layer 1 is the Autheo Chain itself: an EVM-compatible, Cosmos SDK–based blockchain that hosts the consensus layer, NFT license–gated staking, and the native THEO token economy.

| Parameter                   | Value                       |
| --------------------------- | --------------------------- |
| Chain ID (Cosmos) — Mainnet | `autheo_2127-1`             |
| Chain ID (EVM) — Mainnet    | `2127`                      |
| Chain ID (Cosmos) — Testnet | `autheo_785-1`              |
| Chain ID (EVM) — Testnet    | `785`                       |
| Native token                | THEO (`aauth`, 18 decimals) |
| Consensus                   | CometBFT v0.38.17           |
| Block time                  | \~5 seconds                 |
| Binary                      | `autheod` v1.0.8            |

Key responsibilities:

* Validator consensus and block production
* NFT license gating for staking participation
* EVM execution (Ethermint) for smart contracts
* IBC routing for cross-chain transfers
* On-chain governance

## Application layer

The application layer sits above Layer 1 and encompasses:

* **Decentralized compute** — AI task orchestration, cloud-equivalent compute resources
* **Data marketplaces** — On-chain data exchange and monetization
* **Developer tooling** — SDKs, APIs, DevHub grants, and the ecosystem marketplace
* **DeFi and token integrations** — Staking, liquidity provisioning, and ecosystem participation

## Value flow

```
Application layer  ← fees, service revenue
        ↕
Layer 1 (Autheo Chain)  ← THEO staking, governance, NFT licenses
        ↕
Layer 0 (Settlement)  ← IBC, cross-chain state
```

Fees generated by compute and data operations flow through the Autheo Storage & Compute Fund (ASCF), which redistributes value to validators, developers, and ecosystem pools. This creates the productive deflation cycle described in the [Tokenomics paper](/token/tokenomics-paper-v1-2).

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Architecture at a glance" href="/start-here/architecture-at-a-glance" icon="sitemap">
    High-level system diagram and component overview
  </Card>

  <Card title="Components map" href="/start-here/components-map" icon="map">
    Full inventory of Autheo's technical components
  </Card>

  <Card title="Terminology" href="/start-here/terminology" icon="book">
    Key terms and concepts used throughout the docs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Autheo Chain nodes" href="/nodes/overview" icon="server">
    Run a validator node on Autheo Chain
  </Card>
</CardGroup>