> ## 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.

# Glossary

> Official terminology for the Cowboy protocol

## Introduction

This glossary defines official terminology used throughout Cowboy documentation. Use these terms consistently when contributing documentation or writing about Cowboy.

<Tip>
  **Canonical Reference**: This glossary is the authoritative source for Cowboy terminology.
</Tip>

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## Core Concepts

### Actor

**Definition**: A stateful program that processes messages and stores data on-chain. The fundamental compute unit in Cowboy.

**Related**: Handler, Message

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### Handler

**Definition**: A Python method within an Actor that processes incoming messages.

**Related**: Actor, Message

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### Message

**Definition**: The unit of communication between Actors or from users to Actors (external, internal, or callback).

**Related**: Actor, Handler

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## Gas & Fees

### Cycles

**Definition**: Compute metering unit; every bytecode instruction consumes Cycles.

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### Cells

**Definition**: Data/storage metering unit; 1 Cell = 1 byte.

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### Basefee

**Definition**: Algorithmic minimum fee per Cycle or Cell (dual EIP-1559 style).

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### Tip

**Definition**: Priority fee paid to block proposer; determines inclusion priority.

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## Timers & Scheduling

### Timer

**Definition**: Scheduled execution of an Actor handler at a future block; set via `set_timeout(...)`.

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### Scheduler

**Definition**: Protocol component managing timer queues and executing expired timers under a per-block budget.

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### GBA (Gas Bidding Agent)

**Definition**: Contract designated by the Actor to return dynamic fee bids for timer execution, given protocol-supplied context.

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## Off-Chain Compute

### Runner

**Definition**: Off-chain compute node that executes tasks and submits results on-chain.

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### Task

**Definition**: Off-chain computation request with a definition and result schema.

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### Dispatcher

**Definition**: On-chain contract managing task submission and result consumption.

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### Callback

**Definition**: Message delivering results back to the Actor; the Actor finalizes via `consume_result()`.

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## Consensus

### Validator

**Definition**: Node that participates in consensus, proposes blocks, and validates state transitions.

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### Consensus

**Definition**: BFT-style Proof-of-Stake (HotStuff-based) agreement on the canonical chain.

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### Finality

**Definition**: Point at which a transaction becomes irreversible (fast finality; exact parameters governance-defined).

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## Economics

### CBY

**Definition**: Native token used to pay fees, stake, and compensate Runners.

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### Burn

**Definition**: Permanent removal of CBY (e.g., basefee burn).

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<Info>
  This v0.1 glossary intentionally focuses on core terms to reduce cognitive load. Additional entries will return in later milestones.
</Info>

***

## Contributing to Glossary

**To Add Term**:

1. Check it's not already defined
2. Follow format: Definition → Characteristics → Example → Related terms
3. Submit PR to `docs/style/glossary.mdx`

**To Request Clarification**:

* Open issue on GitHub
* Ask in Discord