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

# Network architecture

> Core ARIS building blocks and end-to-end request lifecycle.

ARIS is composed of three primary systems: registry, worker nodes, and clients.

## Core components

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Registry" icon="database">
    Handles authentication, node discovery, and usage settlement.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Worker nodes" icon="cpu">
    Execute inference jobs and report usage to the registry.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Clients" icon="terminal">
    SDK-enabled applications that submit prompts and receive results.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Request lifecycle

<Steps>
  <Step title="Discovery">
    Client requests eligible nodes from the registry.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Handshake">
    Client establishes a short-lived session with a selected node.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Inference">
    Client sends prompt and receives generated output.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Settlement">
    Node reports usage and credits are reconciled.
  </Step>
</Steps>

```mermaid theme={null}
sequenceDiagram
    participant Client
    participant Registry
    participant Node

    Client->>Registry: Request eligible nodes
    Registry-->>Client: Return active nodes
    Client->>Registry: POST /handshake
    Registry-->>Client: Session token
    Client->>Node: POST /generate
    Node-->>Client: Output + usage
    Node->>Registry: Settlement event
```