What is HyperBEAM?

HyperBEAM is the primary, production-ready implementation of the AO-Core protocol, built on the robust Erlang/OTP framework. It serves as a decentralized operating system, powering the AO Computer—a scalable, trust-minimized, distributed supercomputer built on permanent storage of Arweave.

Implementing AO-Core

HyperBEAM transforms the abstract concepts of AO-Core—Messages, Devices, and Paths—into a concrete, operational system. It provides the runtime environment and essential services to execute these computations across a network of distributed nodes.

Messages: Modular Data Packets

In HyperBEAM, every interaction within the AO Computer is handled as a message. These cryptographically-linked data units are the foundation for communication, allowing processes to trigger computations, query state, and transfer value. HyperBEAM nodes are responsible for routing and processing these messages according to the rules of the AO-Core protocol.

Devices: Extensible Execution Engines

HyperBEAM introduces a uniquely modular architecture centered around Devices. These pluggable components are Erlang modules that define specific computational logic—like running WASM, managing state, or relaying data—allowing for unprecedented flexibility. This design allows developers to extend the system by creating custom Devices to fit their specific computational needs.

Paths: Composable Pipelines

HyperBEAM exposes a powerful HTTP API that uses structured URL patterns to interact with processes and data. This pathing mechanism allows developers to create verifiable data pipelines, composing functionality from multiple devices into a single, atomic request. The URL bar effectively becomes a command-line interface for AO's trustless compute environment.

A Robust and Scalable Foundation

Built on the Erlang/OTP framework, HyperBEAM provides a robust and secure foundation that leverages the BEAM virtual machine for exceptional concurrency, fault tolerance, and scalability. This abstracts away underlying hardware, allowing diverse nodes to contribute resources without compatibility issues. The system governs how nodes coordinate and interact, forming a decentralized network that is resilient and permissionless.