> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://gitbook.jur.io/wiki-network-state/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://gitbook.jur.io/wiki-network-state/dictionary/blockchain/polkadot.md). # Polkadot Polkadot is a Layer 0 blockchain designed to support the creation of new chains. Many different chains can be created, all interoperable with Polkadot and each other. Polkadot supports many features, but each chain can choose to incorporate only the features that their users will need. To speed transactions at scale, Polkadot uses a new approach called “sharding” that allows it to process many transactions on several chains in parallel instead of one by one. And that means there is room for enormous growth. The sharded chains built on Polkadot are called “parachains” because they run on the network in parallel. Polkadot supports governance tools and forkless upgrades, so chains can make the process of change less painful and chaotic. “Polkadot's unique design gives projects more possibilities for innovation and flexible iteration than was ever possible in previous networks. By bringing multiple specialized chains together into one scalable network, Polkadot enables blockchain technology to reach its full potential for real-world use cases, giving rise to new markets and paving the way for future decentralized economies.” - Polkadot #### *How is Polkadot relevant to the Network State?* The Polkadot team has created an ecosystem of interoperable products, uniting many user communities on a common relay chain. Jur is building network state tools on Polkadot so that they will be accessible to as many users as possible. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://gitbook.jur.io/wiki-network-state/dictionary/blockchain/polkadot.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.