Learn
Welcome to the Yellow Network learning path. This section builds your understanding from fundamentals to advanced concepts.
Yellow Network is a decentralized clearing and settlement infrastructure that operates as a Layer 3 overlay on top of existing blockchains. It enables businesses — brokers, exchanges, and application developers — to move digital assets across multiple blockchain networks through a unified peer-to-peer ledger, without relying on a centralized intermediary. The network is formed by independent node operators who run open-source clearnode software supplied by Layer3 Fintech Ltd. on their own infrastructure.
Introduction
Start here to understand what Yellow Network solves and how it works.
What Yellow Solves — Understand the core problems: scaling, cost, and speed. Learn why state channels are the answer for high-frequency applications.
Architecture at a Glance — See how the three protocol layers (on-chain, off-chain, application) work together to enable fast, secure transactions.
Getting Started
Get hands-on with Yellow Network in minutes.
Quickstart: Your First Channel — Create a state channel, perform an off-chain transfer, and verify the transaction in under 10 minutes.
Prerequisites & Environment — Set up a complete development environment with Node.js, TypeScript, and the VirtualApp SDK.
Key Terms & Mental Models — Build your vocabulary and conceptual framework for understanding state channels.
Core Concepts
Deep dive into the technology powering Yellow Network.
State Channels vs L1/L2 — Compare state channels with Layer 1 and Layer 2 solutions. Understand when each approach is the right choice.
App Sessions — Multi-party application channels with custom governance and state management.
Session Keys — Delegated keys for secure, gasless interactions without repeated wallet prompts.
Challenge-Response & Disputes — How Yellow Network handles disputes and ensures your funds are always recoverable.
Message Envelope — Overview of the Nitro RPC message format and communication protocol.
Next Steps
After completing the Learn section, continue to:
- Build — Implement complete Yellow Applications
- Protocol Reference — Authoritative protocol specification
Quick Reference
| Topic | Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| What Yellow Solves | 5 min | Beginner |
| Architecture at a Glance | 8 min | Beginner |
| Quickstart | 10 min | Beginner |
| Key Terms | 10 min | Beginner |
| State Channels vs L1/L2 | 12 min | Intermediate |
| App Sessions | 8 min | Intermediate |
| Session Keys | 8 min | Intermediate |
| Challenge-Response | 6 min | Intermediate |
| Message Envelope | 5 min | Intermediate |