# Specifications

This directory contains specifications for the modules of the Cosmos SDK as well as Interchain Standards (ICS) and other specifications.

SDK applications hold this state in a Merkle store. Updates to
the store may be made during transactions and at the beginning and end of every
block.

## SDK specifications

- [Store](./store) - The core Merkle store that holds the state.
- [Bech32](./addresses/bech32.md) - Address format for Cosmos SDK applications.

## Modules specifications

- [Auth](./auth) - The structure and authentication of accounts and transactions.
- [Bank](./bank) - Sending tokens.
- [Governance](./governance) - Proposals and voting.
- [Staking](./staking) - Proof-of-stake bonding, delegation, etc.
- [Slashing](./slashing) - Validator punishment mechanisms.
- [Distribution](./distribution) - Fee distribution, and staking token provision distribution.
- [Crisis](./crisis) - Halting the blockchain under certain circumstances.
- [Mint](./mint) - Staking token provision creation.
- [Params](./params) - Globally available parameter store.
- [Supply](./supply) - Total supply of the chain.

## Interchain standards

- [ICS30](./_ics/ics-030-signed-messages.md) - Signed messages standard.

For details on the underlying blockchain and p2p protocols, see
the [Tendermint specification](https://github.com/tendermint/tendermint/tree/master/docs/spec).