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

# Development overview

> How the Neuron development model works

The Neuron is built on top of [Waher.IoTGateway](https://github.com/PeterWaher/IoTGateway), which provides the runtime host. Everything that extends the Neuron — its APIs, admin pages, smart contract engine, identity system — is deployed as a **package**.

## The development loop

1. Write your C# package code targeting `netstandard2.1`
2. A post-build step installs your package into a local dev Neuron instance
3. You iterate against the live local Neuron
4. When ready, [build](/neuron-development/building-packages) and [install](/neuron-development/installing-packages) the package on a real Neuron

## Key repositories

| Repo                                                                               | Purpose                                  |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| [IoTGateway](https://github.com/PeterWaher/IoTGateway)                             | Neuron runtime host and core utilities   |
| [Neuro-Ledger](https://github.com/Trust-Anchor-Group/Neuro-Ledger)                 | Ledger and financial services            |
| [IoTBroker](https://github.com/Trust-Anchor-Group/IoTBroker)                       | Smart contracts, identities, XMPP broker |
| [NeuronExamplePackage](https://github.com/Trust-Anchor-Group/NeuronExamplePackage) | Minimal package template to fork from    |

## Local dev setup

* All repos live under `C:/My Projects/` (paths are currently hardcoded in build scripts)
* Clone repositories **in this order**: IoTGateway → Neuro-Ledger → IoTBroker
* Build `Waher.IoTGateway.Console` first, then run it to complete initial setup at `http://localhost`
* The dev Neuron stores data at `C:\ProgramData\IoT Gateway Dev`

## Content vs assembly packages

| Type         | Contains                      | Requires restart? |
| ------------ | ----------------------------- | ----------------- |
| Content only | Markdown, scripts, JavaScript | No                |
| Assembly     | C# `.dll` files + content     | Yes               |

See [Package architecture](/neuron-development/package-architecture) for the full breakdown.