> ## 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.

# Get started

> Find your path into the Neuro platform — by role, use case, or integration point

Neuro is a platform for building applications that require trusted, cross-domain interaction — identity, communication, contracts, payments, and tokenized assets, all grounded in the same trust model.

This page helps you find the right starting point depending on what you are trying to do.

## I want to understand the platform first

If you are evaluating Neuro or need a conceptual foundation before building:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="What is the Neuron?" icon="server" href="/overview/what-is-the-neuron">
    The core runtime — what it does and why it sits at the centre of everything.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Trust model" icon="shield-check" href="/overview/trust-model">
    How trust is established across domains without a central controller.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Platform diagram" icon="diagram-project" href="/overview/platform-diagram">
    Visual overview of the platform stack and how clients connect.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Architecture overview" icon="map" href="/overview/architecture-overview">
    The four layers and how they work together.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## I want to build a back-end integration

You are building a server-side service that creates accounts, manages identities, signs contracts, handles wallets, or works with tokens via HTTP.

**Start here:** [Neuron API — Introduction](/neuron-api/introduction)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Read the introduction">
    Understand what the Agent API covers and how it is structured. → [Introduction](/neuron-api/introduction)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Learn authentication">
    The API uses HMAC-signed requests for login and JWT bearer tokens for everything else. → [Authentication](/neuron-api/authentication)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create your first account">
    Step-by-step guide to creating and verifying a Neuron account. → [Creating an account](/neuron-api/guides/creating-an-account)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get a Legal Identity">
    Create cryptographic keys, apply for a Legal Identity, and get it approved. → [Creating cryptographic keys](/neuron-api/guides/creating-cryptographic-keys) · [Applying for a Legal Identity](/neuron-api/guides/applying-for-a-legal-identity) · [Getting your identity approved](/neuron-api/guides/getting-your-identity-approved)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse the API reference">
    Full endpoint documentation grouped by capability. → [API reference](/neuron-api/api-reference/overview)
  </Step>
</Steps>

## I want to extend the Neuron itself

You are writing packages, custom services, or modules that run inside a Neuron.

**Start here:** [Neuron Development — Introduction](/neuron-development/introduction)

<Steps>
  <Step title="Understand the development model">
    How packages, modules, and the IoTGateway framework fit together. → [Development overview](/neuron-development/development-overview)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Learn the package format">
    How content and assembly packages are structured and built. → [Package architecture](/neuron-development/package-architecture)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Work with contracts and templates">
    Use LegalLab to design and propose smart contract templates on a Neuron. → [Getting started with LegalLab](/neuron-development/legallab-getting-started)
  </Step>
</Steps>

## I want to integrate payments

You are building a checkout flow, invoice system, or climate compensation integration.

**Start here:** [Neuro-Pay — Introduction](/neuro-pay/intro)

## I want to understand a specific concept

| Concept                   | Page                                                                              |
| ------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Legal identities          | [Legal identities](/overview/legal-identities)                                    |
| Smart contracts           | [Smart contracts](/overview/smart-contracts)                                      |
| Tokens and Neuro-Features | [Tokens](/overview/tokens)                                                        |
| State machines            | [State machines](/overview/state-machines)                                        |
| Neuro-Ledger              | [What is Neuro-Ledger?](/overview/what-is-neuro-ledger)                           |
| Security and trust        | [Security model](/overview/security-model) · [Trust model](/overview/trust-model) |
| Cryptographic keys        | [Cryptographic keys](/overview/cryptographic-keys)                                |
| Terms and definitions     | [Glossary](/overview/glossary)                                                    |