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

# Welcome to Cowboy

> Cowboy Protocol - A Layer 1 blockchain for autonomous agents and verifiable computation

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/cowboy-7965c2a8/ZiyHSKzwwcF-WltL/images/banner.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=ZiyHSKzwwcF-WltL&q=85&s=f6596ca1b799bee63954559be2ba84f6" width="1200" height="300" data-path="images/banner.svg" />

Cowboy is a **Layer 1 blockchain protocol** designed for autonomous agents and verifiable off-chain computation. It introduces native support for **timers**, **Python-based smart contracts**, and a **dual-metered gas model** that fairly prices computation and storage independently.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="30-Minute Quick Start" icon="rocket" href="/getting-started/quickstart">
    Get up and running with your first Cowboy actor in 30 minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Key Innovations" icon="lightbulb" href="/overview/key-innovations">
    Explore what makes Cowboy unique in the blockchain landscape
  </Card>

  <Card title="Architecture Deep Dive" icon="instalod" href="/overview/architecture">
    Understand the technical design of the protocol
  </Card>

  <Card title="Developer Guide" icon="code" href="/getting-started/quickstart">
    Start building with the Python SDK and examples
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Core Features

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Native Timers & Autonomous Execution" icon="clock">
    Protocol-level timer support enables truly autonomous agents. Actors can schedule their own execution using a hierarchical calendar queue with dynamic gas bidding.

    **Learn more:** [Timers & Scheduler](/architecture/scheduler/overview)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Python Smart Contracts" icon="python">
    Write smart contracts in Python with full determinism guarantees. The Actor VM provides a sandboxed execution environment with precise resource metering.

    **Learn more:** [Actor VM](/architecture/actor-vm/overview)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Dual-Metered Gas Model" icon="gauge">
    Separate pricing for computation (Cycles) and data (Cells) with independent EIP-1559 style fee markets. Pay fairly for what you actually use.

    **Learn more:** [Fee Model](/architecture/fees/overview)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Verifiable Off-Chain Compute" icon="server">
    Run AI models, fetch external data, or perform heavy computations off-chain with cryptographic verification. VRF-based runner selection ensures decentralization.

    **Learn more:** [Off-Chain Compute](/architecture/offchain/overview)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Getting Started

<Steps>
  <Step title="Understand the Basics">
    Read [What is Cowboy?](/introduction/what-is-cowboy) and [Key Innovations](/overview/key-innovations) to grasp the core concepts.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Follow the Quick Start">
    Deploy your first actor with our [Quick Start Guide](/getting-started/quickstart).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Explore Examples">
    Study real-world examples via the [Quick Start](/getting-started/quickstart).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build Your Application">
    Use the [Python SDK](#) to create your autonomous agent or dApp.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## For Different Audiences

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Developers" icon="laptop-code">
    * [Quick Start](/getting-started/quickstart)
    * [Python SDK](#)
    * [Style Guide](/style/styleguide)
    * [Key Innovations](/overview/key-innovations)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Protocol Researchers" icon="flask">
    * [Architecture](/overview/architecture)
    * [Scheduler](/architecture/scheduler/overview)
    * [Off-Chain Compute](/architecture/offchain/overview)
    * [Fee Model](/architecture/fees/overview)
  </Card>

  <Card title="Node Operators" icon="server">
    * [Repository Layout](/getting-started/repo-layout)
    * [DoS Parameters](/architecture/scheduler/dos-parameters)
    * [Versioning Strategy](/versioning/strategy)
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## The 30-Minute Path

New to Cowboy? We recommend this learning path:

1. **[What is Cowboy?](/introduction/what-is-cowboy)** - 5 minutes
2. **[Key Innovations](/overview/key-innovations)** - 5 minutes
3. **[Actor VM Overview](/architecture/actor-vm/overview)** - 8 minutes
4. **[Fee Model Overview](/architecture/fees/overview)** - 7 minutes
5. **[Developer Examples](/getting-started/quickstart)** - 5 minutes

<Info>
  **Total time:** \~30 minutes to understand the core protocol and see working code
</Info>

## Protocol Status

<Note>
  **Current Version:** v0.1 (Testnet)\
  **Milestone Target:** 2025-11-02\
  **Network Status:** Active development
</Note>

## Community & Support

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="GitHub" icon="github" href="https://github.com/cowboyinc/cowboy">
    View source code, report issues, and contribute
  </Card>

  <Card title="Discord" icon="discord" href="#">
    Join the community for support and discussion
  </Card>

  <Card title="Twitter" icon="twitter" href="#">
    Follow for updates and announcements
  </Card>

  <Card title="Whitepaper" icon="file-pdf" href="#">
    Read the complete technical specification
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Contributing

Cowboy is an open protocol. We welcome contributions from:

* **Developers**: Submit PRs, improve documentation, build tools
* **Researchers**: Propose protocol improvements via CIPs
* **Writers**: Improve documentation, create tutorials

See our [Contributing Guide](/contributing/how-to-propose) to get started.

***

<Tip>
  **Ready to build?** Start with the [Quick Start Guide](/getting-started/quickstart) or review the [Repository Layout](/getting-started/repo-layout).
</Tip>