---
title: Introduction
description: "Matrix is the cognition and UX layer on Paxeer Network — it turns natural language into typed, inspectable, replayable agent execution across two rails: Neo and the MCL pipeline."
---

> **For AI agents:** the complete documentation index is at [llms.txt](/llms.txt). Append `.md` to any page URL for its markdown version.

**Matrix** is the cognition and UX layer on top of [Paxeer Network](https://paxeer.app). It turns natural-language requests from non-developers into a typed, inspectable, correctable **Intent IR** that an agent can actually execute — without the classic failure modes (prompt fragility, intent loss, no shared ontology, no structured correction) that break human ↔ agent workflows today.

<Tip>
New here? Read this page for the mental model, then jump to the [Quickstart](/quickstart) to compile your first intent and drive an end-to-end walk.
</Tip>

## Two rails, one substrate

Matrix ships two agent rails over one shared memory + execution substrate. The conversational rail handles everyday reversible work; the rigorous rail handles anything monetary or irreversible.

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Neo — conversational rail" icon="comments">
    The default tool-calling agent: familiar, robust, fully permissive on reversible work (shell, code, fetch, web). Delegates monetary/irreversible work to MCL.
  </Card>
  <Card title="MCL — rigorous rail" icon="diagram-project">
    Natural language → typed Intent IR → plan → replayable walk. For high-stakes, on-chain, or irreversible work where determinism matters.
  </Card>
</Columns>

## The stack

| Layer | Role |
| --- | --- |
| **MCL** | Protocol turning NL → typed Intent IR. Closed verb vocab (10), closed object kinds (8). |
| **cortex** | Per-actor typed memory graph on Pebble. Append-only journal, Merkle-anchored snapshots, byte-deterministic replay. |
| **bridge** | Adapter wiring the MCL compiler's `Cortex` interface to a live cortex instance. |
| **executor** | Plan walker, lifecycle machine, MCP tool dispatch, per-user daemon, Liaison narrator, e2e harness. |
| **neo** | The default conversational agent — tool-calling loop with paged cortex memory. |
| **gateway** | Metered LLM proxy + PAX credit ledger (free-tier whitelist + rate card). |
| **router** | Per-user Fly Machine provisioning + wake-then-reverse-proxy front door. |
| **deus** | Agent-service marketplace: registry, discovery, metered invoke, EIP-712 receipts, hosting. |
| **layerx** | Settlement fabric and custody spine for agent balances. |
| **uwac** | Universal Web Agent Connector — OAuth vault → per-user MCP tools. |
| **tachyon** | Agent-native Solidity/EVM engine — compile / test / simulate / deploy. |

## Where to go next

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="play" href="/quickstart">
    Build the modules, compile an intent, walk a plan, run the daemon.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Core concepts" icon="lightbulb" href="/concepts">
    Intents, frames, verbs, skills, cortex, envelopes, attestation, and replay.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Glossary" icon="book" href="/glossary">
    Every Matrix term in one place.
  </Card>
  <Card title="Architecture" icon="sitemap" href="/developer/architecture">
    The layered model, cross-cutting flows, and load-bearing invariants.
  </Card>
</Columns>