---
title: Technical Specifications
description: Comprehensive technical documentation for Thru's core protocols,
  runtime environment, and virtual machine
source_url:
  html: https://thru.org/docs/spec/overview/
  md: https://thru.org/docs/spec/overview.md
---

# Technical Specifications

# Thru Network Technical Specifications

This section provides technical documentation for Thru Network’s architecture, covering the core blockchain protocols, runtime environment, and virtual machine implementation.

## Architecture Overview

Thru Network is organized into three main specification areas:

- [Core](https://thru.org/docs/spec/core/overview.md): Fundamental blockchain data structures and protocols
- [Runtime Environment](https://thru.org/docs/spec/runtime/overview.md): Program execution environment and transaction processing
- [Virtual Machine](https://thru.org/docs/spec/vm/overview.md): VM architecture, instruction set, and system calls

## Core

The core specifications define the fundamental data structures and rules that govern the Thru blockchain:

### Available Specifications

- **[Core Overview](https://thru.org/docs/spec/core/overview.md)** - Core blockchain primitives and data structures
- **[Transactions](https://thru.org/docs/spec/core/transactions.md)** - Transaction format and validation rules

## Runtime Environment

The runtime environment manages program execution and provides the execution context for Thru programs:

### Available Specifications

- **[Runtime Overview](https://thru.org/docs/spec/runtime/overview.md)** - Core runtime architecture and principles
- **[Transaction Execution](https://thru.org/docs/spec/runtime/transaction-execution.md)** - How transactions are processed and executed
- **[Resources](https://thru.org/docs/spec/runtime/resources.md)** - Resource management and allocation
- **[Error Handling](https://thru.org/docs/spec/runtime/errors.md)** - Runtime error types and handling mechanisms

## Virtual Machine

The Thru Virtual Machine provides the execution environment for programs running on the network:

### Available Specifications

- **[VM Overview](https://thru.org/docs/spec/vm/overview.md)** - Virtual machine architecture and design
- **[Memory Layout](https://thru.org/docs/spec/vm/memory-layout.md)** - VM memory organization and management
- **[Instruction Set](https://thru.org/docs/spec/vm/instruction-set.md)** - Complete VM instruction reference
- **[Executable Format](https://thru.org/docs/spec/vm/executable-format.md)** - Program binary format specification
- **[VM Errors](https://thru.org/docs/spec/vm/errors.md)** - Virtual machine error types and conditions

### System Calls

- **[System Calls Overview](https://thru.org/docs/spec/vm/syscalls/overview.md)** - Complete system call interface reference

---

## Getting Started

To understand Thru’s technical architecture:

1. **Start with [Core](https://thru.org/docs/spec/core/overview.md)** to understand the fundamental blockchain data structures
2. **Review the [Runtime Environment](https://thru.org/docs/spec/runtime/overview.md)** to learn how programs execute
3. **Explore the [Virtual Machine](https://thru.org/docs/spec/vm/overview.md)** specifications for detailed implementation guidance