Developer Documentation
Welcome to Ixian Development
Build applications that don't just claim to be decentralized - they actually are. No hidden servers, no "serverless" that still needs AWS, no quantum-vulnerable encryption waiting to be cracked.
The Ixian Platform gives you:
- True P2P Communication - Peer-to-peer architecture with no central servers
- Post-Quantum Security - Production ML-KEM (FIPS 203) today, not tomorrow
- Zero Infrastructure Costs - No monthly bills, no vendor lock-in, ever
- Battle-Tested - Running in production with thousands of active users
- Multiple Integration Paths - Choose the right tool for your use case
Start Here
Brand New to Ixian?
Docker Sandbox - Get Started in 5 Minutes ->
Run a complete local Ixian test network (DLT + S2 nodes) in Docker. Perfect for:
- First exploration - See transactions, blocks, and APIs in action
- Learning without risk - No testnet tokens needed
- Development testing - Full network control for CI/CD
No compilation, no configuration, just ./sandbox up and you're running.
Ready to Build?
Choose your path based on your background and use case:
- Complete Beginners: Start with Docker Sandbox (get a local network first)
- Web Developers: Spixi Mini Apps (HTML/CSS/JavaScript)
- Backend Developers: QuIXI Bridge (REST/MQTT integration)
- Systems Developers: Client Apps (full Ixian-Core integration)
Each quickstart takes 30-60 minutes and gets you building something real.
Want to See What's Possible?
Focused guides showcasing Ixian's unique capabilities:
- Local Development Workflows - Professional testing with Docker Sandbox
- Truly Serverless Apps - Build without cloud accounts or backend ops
- Post-Quantum Security - Implement quantum-resistant encryption today
- IoT Without Cloud - Build devices with zero AWS/Azure bills
- Decentralized AI Chatbots - Run local LLMs with privacy and control
Each guide includes working code and comparisons to alternatives.
Need to Look Up a Term?
Comprehensive definitions of technical terms, acronyms, and concepts: PoCW, Starling, ML-KEM, S2, and 70+ more.
Development Paths
Frontend / Web Developers
Build P2P web applications without backend infrastructure
Spixi Mini Apps
Create collaborative apps (games, tools, utilities) that run inside Spixi messenger with zero servers.
Perfect for:
- Collaborative tools (whiteboards, document editors)
- Multiplayer games (chess, tic-tac-toe)
- Business utilities (time tracking, expense splitting)
- Privacy-focused applications
Tech stack: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Monthly cost: $0
Learning curve: Easy (familiar web tech)
IoT / Integration Developers
Bridge traditional systems to Ixian P2P network
QuIXI Gateway
Connect devices, legacy systems, and traditional apps to Ixian without implementing the full P2P protocol.
Perfect for:
- IoT devices (Raspberry Pi, sensors, controllers)
- Existing applications (add P2P features via REST API)
- Message queue integrations (MQTT, RabbitMQ)
- Rapid prototyping
Tech stack: REST API, MQTT, any language
Monthly cost: $0
Learning curve: Easy (REST/MQTT patterns)
Systems / Blockchain Developers
Build native Ixian applications with full control
Client Applications (Ixian-Core)
Implement the complete Ixian protocol for maximum power and flexibility.
Perfect for:
- Wallets and financial applications
- Custom consensus participation
- Protocol-level innovations
- High-performance requirements
Tech stack: C# / .NET, Ixian-Core SDK
Monthly cost: $0
Learning curve: Medium (blockchain concepts)
What Makes Ixian Different
Not Another Blockchain
Ixian isn't trying to be Ethereum or Bitcoin. It's a complete platform for decentralized communication and value transfer:
| Feature | Traditional Blockchain | Ixian Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | Financial transactions | Communication + transactions |
| Client Discovery | IP/DNS lookup | Cryptographic presence system |
| Client Authentication | CA Infrastructure | Self-authentication using cryptographic address |
| Key Exchange | TLS/Traditional PKI | Hybrid RSA+ECDH+ML-KEM (PQC) |
| Encryption | TLS | Dual Encryption using AES-256 and ChaCha20 |
| Scalability | Limited (on-chain logic) | Massive (Starling sectors) |
| Real-time | Slow block times | Sub-second P2P messaging |
| Cost Model | Gas fees per operation | Transaction fees only |
Not "Serverless" Marketing
When cloud providers say "serverless," they mean "servers you don't manage." You still pay for Lambda, API Gateway, databases, etc.
When Ixian says truly serverless, we mean:
- No cloud accounts needed
- No monthly infrastructure costs
- No vendor to discontinue services
- Applications survive company shutdowns
Not "Coming Soon" Crypto
Most platforms are "researching" post-quantum cryptography. Ixian shipped it:
- ML-KEM (FIPS 203) in production
- Hybrid approach combining classical + PQC
- Transparent - developers get it automatically
- Battle-tested on live network
Core Concepts
Before diving in, understand these key Ixian concepts:
Cryptographic Addresses
Every user, device, and node has a self-generated address derived from public keys. No registration, no usernames - just cryptography.
Presence System
Discover and connect to users by cryptographic address, not IP or DNS. Presence packets are signed, time-limited, and route through sector-based relay networks (Starling).
S2 Network
The Streaming and Signaling layer handles real-time P2P communication on top of the DLT. Think of it as the "internet" of Ixian - messages, calls, data streams.
DLT Network
The Distributed Ledger handles transactions, IXI Names registration, and consensus. Think of it as the "blockchain" of Ixian - but with collaborative work consensus (PoCW).
IXI Names
Human-readable names (like 'alice' or 'mycompany') that resolve to addresses, endpoints, or metadata. Decentralized DNS without centralized authorities.
Learn more in Architecture docs ->
Tools & Resources
SDKs & Libraries
- Ixian-Core - Core SDK (C#/.NET)
- QuIXI - Gateway bridge
- Spixi Mini Apps SDK - JavaScript SDK
Development Networks
Three network environments are available:
| Environment | Purpose | Isolation | Tokens | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regtest | Local testing via Docker Sandbox | Completely isolated, local-only | Auto-generated | Development, CI/CD, testing |
| Testnet | Public test network | Separate blockchain, public participation | Free (testnet only) | Integration testing, pre-deployment validation |
| Mainnet | Production network | The live Ixian network | Real IXI value | Production deployment |
Connection endpoints:
- Testnet seed node:
seedtest1.ixian.io:11234 - Mainnet seed node:
seed1.ixian.io:10234 - Local Regtest (Docker):
localhost:10234or Docker service hostnames
APIs & References
- DLT RPC Reference - Blockchain query APIs
- S2 API Reference - Streaming network APIs
- QuIXI REST API - Gateway endpoints
- Data Structures - Protocol formats
Community
Example Projects
Open Source Apps
Learn from production applications:
Spixi Messenger - Full-featured P2P messenger
github.com/ixian-platform/Spixi
QuIXI Examples - IoT devices and integrations
github.com/ixian-platform/QuIXI/Examples
Mini Apps Collection - Games, tools, utilities
github.com/ixian-platform/Spixi-Mini-Apps/apps
Choose Your Starting Point
I want to build...
-> Web apps without servers
Start: Spixi Mini Apps Quickstart
See: Serverless P2P Apps Guide
-> AI chatbots without API costs
Start: QuIXI Bridge Quickstart
See: Decentralized AI Chatbot Guide
-> IoT devices without cloud
Start: QuIXI Bridge Quickstart
See: IoT Without Cloud Guide
-> Secure financial apps
Start: Client App Quickstart
See: Post-Quantum Security Guide
-> Custom blockchain features
Start: Client App Quickstart
Read: Architecture Documentation
-> To understand the technology
Read: System Architecture
Read: IXI Names Architecture
FAQ
Do I need to run a node?
For Mini Apps: No, Spixi handles connectivity
For QuIXI: No, QuIXI is your lightweight node
For Client Apps: No, it's embedded in your app
What programming languages are supported?
Directly: C# (.NET) via Ixian-Core
Via QuIXI: Any language (REST API)
Mini Apps: JavaScript (HTML/CSS/JS)
Is there a testnet?
Yes! Use networkType = testnet in config and connect to seedtest1.ixian.io:11234.
Where do I get help?
Technical questions: Discord #developers
Bug reports: GitHub Issues
General discussion: Telegram
What's Next?
- Pick a quickstart based on your background
- Build something in 30-60 minutes
- Read a how-to guide to understand what's possible
- Join Discord to share what you're building
- Deploy to mainnet when ready
Welcome to truly decentralized development. No fine print, no hidden servers, no monthly bills waiting to surprise you.
Start building the post-cloud, post-quantum future.