> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.northstar.sonicsvm.org/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.northstar.sonicsvm.org/architecture.md).

# Architecture

NorthStar splits execution between Solana L1 and an Ephemeral Rollup. This section covers the system behavior that makes sessions fast, isolated, and safe to settle back.

## In this section

* [ER Topology](/architecture/er-topology.md) — components and the data flow for a full session lifecycle.
* [Real-Time Confirmation](/architecture/real-time.md) — how confirmation reaches millisecond-scale latency.
* [Security Model](/architecture/security.md) — trust assumptions, custody guarantees, and the challenge protocol.

## Architectural focus

Use this section to understand:

* where execution happens
* when a transaction is considered confirmed
* how ER state becomes canonical on L1
* what holds when an operator misbehaves

For the user-facing model, start with [Concepts](/concepts.md). For protocol details, use [Reference](/reference.md).


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