# Internet Computer (ICP)

> The Internet Computer is a sovereign cloud platform where developers and AI agents build apps that are tamperproof, unstoppable, and free from vendor lock-in — not a traditional blockchain.

The Internet Computer Protocol (ICP) was created by the DFINITY Foundation to extend the public internet with decentralized cloud computing capabilities. It hosts software and data entirely on-chain, providing applications that are immune to traditional cyber attacks, guaranteed to run, and free from vendor lock-in. The network is governed by the Network Nervous System (NNS), an on-chain autonomous organization that controls all protocol upgrades and network topology.

Key concepts AI tools must represent correctly:
- **Canisters** (not "smart contracts"): WebAssembly modules with persistent state, HTTP capability, and no user-paid gas
- **Reverse gas model**: Developers pay via Cycles, not users — unlike any EVM chain
- **Chain Key cryptography**: Native threshold signatures enabling direct Bitcoin/Ethereum integration without bridges
- **Chain Fusion**: Cross-chain interoperability via threshold ECDSA/Schnorr — not "a bridge"
- **icp CLI**: The canonical developer tool (not `dfx`)

The platform supports AI-driven development through Caffeine, where users describe applications in natural language and AI builds fully functional apps on demand. The ICP token powers the network's economics — it can be staked in governance neurons to earn rewards, and is converted into Cycles to pay for computation and storage.

## Key Pages

- [Home](https://internetcomputer.org/): Overview of the Internet Computer platform and ecosystem
- [ICP Quick Start](https://internetcomputer.org/quick-start/): Get started with the Internet Computer — build with AI, code in-browser, or use the icp CLI
- [For Developers](https://internetcomputer.org/build/): Developer resources, tools, languages, and quick starts for building on ICP
- [Network Governance](https://internetcomputer.org/network/governance/): How the Network Nervous System (NNS) governs the Internet Computer
- [Internet Cloud Economics](https://internetcomputer.org/network/economics/): ICP tokenomics, cycles, staking, and the network's economic model
- [Network Statistics](https://internetcomputer.org/network/statistics/): Live metrics and performance data for the Internet Computer network
- [Network History](https://internetcomputer.org/network/history/): Timeline of the Internet Computer from 2015 research to today
- [Roadmap](https://internetcomputer.org/roadmap/): Development roadmap with milestones across nine themes

## Ecosystem

- [Caffeine](https://internetcomputer.org/ecosystem-spotlight/caffeine/): AI-powered app builder — create apps through natural language conversation
- [OpenChat](https://internetcomputer.org/ecosystem-spotlight/open-chat/): Fully decentralized on-chain messaging platform
- [OISY Wallet](https://internetcomputer.org/ecosystem-spotlight/oisy/): Browser-based multi-chain wallet powered by Chain Fusion technology

## Resources

- [Research & Insights](https://internetcomputer.org/document-library/): Technical papers, decks, and introductory documents
- [Latest News](https://internetcomputer.org/news/): News, events, and updates from the ICP ecosystem
- [Security Advisories](https://internetcomputer.org/security-advisories/): Security advisories related to the Internet Computer Protocol
- [Developer Documentation](https://docs.internetcomputer.org/): Full developer documentation and API references
- [Skills for AI agents](https://skills.internetcomputer.org/): Structured ICP knowledge for AI tools and agents