# Getting Started

Build on Toby's OpenMEV infrastructure. Whether you're a searcher, validator operator, or protocol developer, here's how to get started.

## What You Can Build

Toby opens up three integration surfaces for builders:

* **MEV strategies via Block Chef.** Identify profitable opportunities (arbitrage, liquidations) and submit bundles to Toby's open auction. No gatekeeping, no closed validator sets.
* **Validator infrastructure with Toby-Solana Client.** Run the OpenMEV-enabled validator client to process MEV bundles, earn tips, and qualify for optimized stake delegation.
* **Protocol integrations for MEV protection.** Plug into OtterFlow for real-time data, protect your users from harmful MEV, and access the full transparency layer.

## Architecture Overview

Toby's OpenMEV stack has five layers that work together:

1. **OtterFlow (Laser Stream)** provides refined, real-time blockchain data to searchers. Laser Stream turns raw chain data into actionable signals: DEX events, liquidation triggers, and account state changes. It runs with 30-50% lower hardware requirements than a raw firehose.
2. **Searchers** consume Laser Stream data, run their strategies, and produce transaction bundles. These bundles represent the MEV opportunities they've identified.
3. **Block Chef** receives bundles from searchers, verifies them, and filters out harmful patterns (sandwiches are automatically rejected). Then it runs a competitive auction. The highest-tipping valid bundles win.
4. **Validators** running the Toby-Solana Client receive winning bundles from Block Chef and include them in the blocks they produce. MEV tips flow to the validator and are distributed to ecosystem participants.
5. **The OpenMEV Council** sits across all components as the governance layer. Token holders vote on protocol parameters, MEV filtering rules, and infrastructure upgrades.

Value flows back to **stakers** through the Validator Optimizer, which delegates stake to the highest-performing validators. This creates a revenue flywheel that rewards the entire ecosystem.

## Integration Paths

### Searchers

Access real-time data via Laser Stream, build your strategy, and submit bundles to Block Chef's open auction. Toby's permissionless model means no minimum hardware requirements and no closed access lists.

**Next:** [Searcher Integration Guide](https://learn.toby.foundation/builders/searcher-integration)

### Validators

Run the Toby-Solana Client on your existing validator to process MEV bundles, earn tips, and receive optimized stake delegation from the Validator Optimizer. Higher scores mean more stake, more block production, and more revenue.

**Next:** [Validator Setup Guide](https://learn.toby.foundation/builders/validator-setup)

### Protocols

Integrate with OtterFlow to access real-time MEV data, protect your users from harmful extraction, and build MEV-aware applications. Protocols can tap into Toby's transparency layer to monitor and mitigate sandwich attacks across their DEX or lending platform.

**Next:** [Protocol Integration Guide](https://learn.toby.foundation/builders/protocol-integration)

## Developer Resources

* **GitHub:** Client source, SDKs, and example strategies (repo links published at mainnet launch)
* **API Reference:** Full endpoint documentation for Laser Stream and Block Chef (published at mainnet launch)
* **Example Bundles:** Sample searcher strategies and bundle submission code in the GitHub repo

## Community

* **Discord:** [discord.gg/toby](https://discord.gg/toby) for developer support, integration help, and testnet access requests
* **Governance Forum:** Propose and discuss protocol parameter changes via the OpenMEV Council
* **X / Twitter:** [@staketoby](https://x.com/staketoby) for announcements and updates

***

> **Pre-mainnet notice:** Toby is currently in pre-mainnet development. API endpoints and configuration details in this documentation reflect the current development environment. Features marked "Coming Soon" will be available at or before mainnet launch. Join [Discord](https://discord.gg/toby) for early access to testnet and devnet environments.