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Base Specification

This specification defines the Base Chain protocol: how nodes derive and execute blocks, how transactions are propagated, and how state transitions are verified. It covers core protocol rules, execution behavior, and proving.

Design Goals

Our aim is to design a protocol specification that is:

  • Opinionated: Simplicity through deliberate design choices. We identify the best solution and commit to it.
  • Maximally Simple: By focusing on just what Base needs, we radically simplify the stack. The protocol spec and codebase should be understandable by a single developer.
  • Fast Cycles: We ship upgrades frequently rather than batching risk into infrequent large ones. We target six smaller, tightly scoped hard forks per year on a regular cadence, with fortnightly releases.
  • Ethereum Aligned: Base wins when Ethereum wins. We accelerate deployment of high-impact changes ahead of L1 to provide data that informs the Ethereum roadmap.

Lineage

Base Chain inherits Ethereum's EVM semantics, transaction rules, and L1-anchored security. It was originally built on the OP Stack. After the Jovian Hardfork, Base Chain follows this specification.