# Introduction

Tensora is an AI-focused Layer 2 (L2) built on BNB Chain using the OP Stack. It turns machine intelligence into a first-class onchain primitive by creating incentive markets—**subnets**—where model providers (miners) serve inference and data services, evaluators (validators) score quality, and rewards flow transparently in **TORA**. Tensora keeps full EVM compatibility, settles to BSC for security and finality, and uses BSC calldata for data availability.

At a glance:

* **OP Stack rollup on BNB Chain** with EVM equivalence and native bridge support
* **AI subnets** for inference, embeddings, analytics, and other intelligence tasks
* **Economic alignment** via staking, delegation, emissions, and slashing
* **BNB as native gas**, with **ERC-4337 Paymaster** so users can pay fees in **TORA**
* **Upgradeable protocol** using OpenZeppelin UUPS and timelocked governance

***

#### Why Tensora <a href="#why-tensora" id="why-tensora"></a>

Most L2s only scale transactions. Tensora scales **intelligence**. By combining a performant rollup with markets for AI work, Tensora lets builders deploy applications that reason, classify, summarize, embed, and predict—without trusting a single centralized API. Quality is measured onchain through validator scoring and Yuma-style commit-reveal consensus, so rewards follow verifiable performance.

> In spirit: **Bittensor’s open intelligence economy, implemented for the EVM** and anchored to BNB Chain.

#### How Tensora works <a href="#how-tensora-works" id="how-tensora-works"></a>

* **Subnets** Independent, onchain-registered markets specialized for tasks such as LLM inference, embeddings, vision, time-series prediction, or data labeling. Each subnet defines parameters (tempo, commit/reveal windows, stake minima, fees, reward weights) governed by TORA holders.
* **Participants**
  * **Miners** serve model outputs (e.g., inference, embeddings).
  * **Validators** query miners, evaluate outputs, submit scores onchain.
  * **Delegators** stake TORA behind validators to amplify accurate scoring.
* **Consensus & rewards** Validators commit and later reveal their scores in **Yuma-style** consensus. Aggregated scores determine per-epoch emissions, split among miners, validators, and delegators. Misbehavior is penalized via slashing.
* **Gas model** The protocol executes with **BNB** as native gas (OP Stack convention on BSC). A **TORA Paymaster** lets users pay fees in TORA; the Paymaster settles BNB under the hood for seamless UX.
* **Governance & upgrades** All core contracts are **UUPS-upgradeable** behind a **Timelock + Governor**. Storage layout checks and upgrade tests are enforced in CI.

***

#### High-level architecture <a href="#high-level-architecture" id="high-level-architecture"></a>

Copy

```
flowchart LR
  User -->|Tx or UserOp| Sequencer
  subgraph Tensora L2
    Sequencer --> L2Exec[(EVM)]
    L2Exec --> Subnets
    Subnets -->|scores| Consensus[Yuma Commit/Reveal]
    Paymaster --> L2Exec
  end
  Sequencer --> Batcher
  Batcher -->|calldata batches| BSC[(BNB Chain L1)]
  L2Exec <-->|bridge msgs| Bridge[L1/L2 Standard Bridge]
```

***

#### Who should use Tensora <a href="#who-should-use-tensora" id="who-should-use-tensora"></a>

* **Dapp teams** that need onchain access to inference or embeddings without relying on a single vendor
* **AI providers** who want to monetize model serving in an open, verifiable market
* **DeFi/infra builders** integrating predictive or classification signals onchain
* **Researchers** testing incentive mechanisms for ML quality and robustness

***

#### Key properties <a href="#key-properties" id="key-properties"></a>

* **EVM-native**: Solidity, Foundry, Hardhat, wagmi/viem, ERC-4337
* **Production-minded**: UUPS upgrades, timelock governance, storage-layout guardrails
* **Composability**: Use subnets like any onchain service, bridge assets with standard OP contracts
* **Transparency**: Emissions, scores, and rewards are onchain and auditable

***

#### Quick start <a href="#quick-start" id="quick-start"></a>

1. **Connect** Add Tensora to your wallet using the RPC and chain ID above.
2. **Bridge** Wrap your underlying token to **WTORA** on BSC, then bridge WTORA to Tensora using the Standard Bridge.
3. **Build**
   * Call subnets from smart contracts or through SDKs.
   * Register a miner or validator and join a subnet.
   * Use the Paymaster to pay fees in TORA.
4. **Govern** Stake, delegate, and vote to evolve parameters, add subnets, or upgrade modules.

***

#### Design notes <a href="#design-notes" id="design-notes"></a>

* **BNB remains the protocol’s native gas** for compatibility and reliability.
* **TORA is the network’s economic unit** for staking, rewards, governance, and optional gas via the Paymaster.
* **WTORA** on BSC is the canonical L1 token to ensure bridge safety even if the original token has transfer restrictions.
* **Alt-DA** paths are intentionally left open; initial DA is BSC calldata for simplicity.

***

Continue to **Features** for a capability walkthrough, or jump to **Getting Started** to connect, bridge, and deploy your first contracts on Tensora.


---

# 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://docs.tensora.network/introduction.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.
