> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nearbuilders.com/resources/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nearbuilders.com/resources/developer-onboarding/near-application-architecture.md).

# NEAR Application Architecture

1. NEAR “Core” Protocol
2. Smart Contracts
3. RPCs / Indexers / Nodes (validators)
4. Accounts (via wallets)
5. Frontends and Backends Decentralized applications run on blockchains (1) where developers write, compile and deploy smart contracts (2), providing read access to the data inside smart contracts stored on chain via (3) and write access via (4), and finally presenting data and making future transactions from (5). Resources in these docs cover:
6. Developing and deploying NEAR smart contracts (2)
7. Patterns for NEAR account interactions (4)
8. Developing the NEAR portion of frontend and backend applications (5) New to NEAR or Blockchain


---

# 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://docs.nearbuilders.com/resources/developer-onboarding/near-application-architecture.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`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.