> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://opendao-cc.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://opendao-cc.gitbook.io/docs/introducing-opendao.md).

# Introducing OpenDAO

OpenDAO is a decentralized node-network social-relationship governance system on Arbitrum One. The OpenDAO smart contract uses privacy techniques to ensure that no node addresses are stored on the blockchain. The public chain record only ever shows hashes of invitation records.

## The Registration System

The OpenDAO social graph is the set of invitation (referral) relationships between node addresses. Once established in the smart contract, these relationships can never be changed.

In OpenDAO, every node is both an invited node and a leader node.

### As an Invited Node

Any unregistered address can visit the OpenDAO dApp (<https://opendao.cc/>) and apply to join the social-relationship structure.

> Make sure you are connected to Arbitrum One and that you have enough gas plus the registration fee on hand.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Enter the leader node's address

On the OpenDAO registration screen, enter the address of your leader node (your inviter) carefully. Once you submit, the leader node will receive your application.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Wait for the leader node's approval

After submission, the interface enters the **Pending Approval** state. While in this state, the invited node cannot send a new application to any other leader node — unless the application is rejected first. Stay in touch with your leader node to speed approval along.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Complete registration

After the leader node approves, the interface moves to the **Awaiting Payment** state. The invited node has a 30-minute countdown to pay the registration fee, which finalizes registration.

If the countdown expires without payment, the application is treated as abandoned. You may apply again.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

> Once registration is complete, the invited node is immediately assigned a permanent, unique pseudonym. Other nodes will only ever see this pseudonym across OpenDAO services, never the underlying address.

### As a Leader Node

Any registered node can act as a leader node and invite new nodes into the OpenDAO network — simply share your full address with the prospective invitee.

#### Notes for Leader Nodes

* **Approving applications:** When an invited node submits an application, the leader node is notified immediately and must decide to approve or reject.
* **Node slots:** A leader node cannot bind invitees indefinitely; the count is capped by the leader's own Node Tier (see **The Node Diffusion Model**).
  * **Provisional occupancy:** An invitee that has been approved but has not yet paid the registration fee occupies a slot provisionally (a reservation). If they complete registration, the slot becomes permanently theirs; if they fail to complete registration, the slot is released after 30 minutes.

> During the approval step, the leader node has its **only** opportunity to read the full address of the invited node. Once the invitee is registered, OpenDAO services will only ever display the pseudonym.