# Superchain explainer

Source: https://stack.optimism.io/docs/understand/explainer

## Summary

The OP Stack is an open-source, standardized framework for building Ethereum Layer 2 rollups, and it powers Optimism's OP Mainnet along with many other production chains. Each chain built on it executes transactions on its own network and publishes their data to a parent chain, usually Ethereum, so anyone can rebuild the chain's history from that data. The text lists EVM equivalence, lower costs than Ethereum because only compressed data reaches L1, fast block confirmations backed by Ethereum finality, and modularity as the properties this design provides.

## Article

The standard framework for building Ethereum Layer 2 Rollups.

The OP Stack is the standardized, shared, and open-source development stack that powers Optimism and makes it possible to run a production Layer 2 blockchain. It is not a single program. It is a set of components that together produce a chain whose entire history is published to Ethereum, so that anyone can reconstruct and check it.

What the OP Stack gives you

An OP Stack chain is a rollup: it executes transactions on its own network and publishes the data for those transactions to a parent chain, usually Ethereum. Because the data is published, the chain can be rebuilt by anyone from the parent chain alone, and Ethereum can be convinced of the chain’s state well enough to release funds back out of it. That arrangement is what produces the properties chains are built on it for:

EVM equivalence. Existing Ethereum contracts and tooling work without modification. The small set of deliberate deviations is documented in Differences from Ethereum.

Costs far below Ethereum’s. Transactions are executed on L2 and only their compressed data reaches L1. See Transaction fees.

Fast confirmations, backed by Ethereum finality. Blocks arrive in seconds; irreversibility follows once the data is finalized on Ethereum. See Transaction finality.

Modularity. Data availability, sequencing, and settlement are separate layers, so a chain can change one without rebuilding the rest.

What it powers

The OP Stack runs OP Mainnet and many other production chains, many of which adhere to a standard configuration, contracts, and upgrade process. This shared standard is what makes a common toolchain and native OP Stack cross-chain interoperability possible.

Where to go next

If you are working through the learning track, continue in order. Otherwise, pick the path that matches what you are doing:

Ready to build your chain?

OP Stack architecture