STNC CORE
STN Chain Desktop Client
=========================

STNC Core is the desktop client for STN Chain.

It provides a simple interface for connecting to STN Chain, managing your
STNC wallet and identity, participating in mining, sending and receiving
STNC, and creating and viewing Contracts recorded through STN Chain.

STN Chain is designed for distributed trust, verifiable intelligence,
contracts, and permanent records.


GETTING STARTED
===============

1. Extract the entire STNC Core ZIP archive to a folder of your choice.

2. Keep stnc-core.exe and config.json together in the same folder.

3. Start STNC Core.

4. Allow STNC Core to connect to STN Chain.

The status area at the bottom of the application displays the current
connection and synchronization state.


FIRST-TIME SETUP
================

Wallet
------

Open:

    Wallet -> Address

If no wallet exists, select "Create wallet".

STNC Core creates and stores your wallet locally.

Once a wallet exists, STNC Core will load it automatically whenever the
application starts.


Identity
--------

Open:

    Wallet -> Identity

If no identity exists, select "Create identity".

Your STN identity is separate from your wallet address and is used when
performing identity-based operations such as creating Contracts.

Once created, the identity will load automatically whenever STNC Core
starts.


SEND AND RECEIVE STNC
=====================

Send
----

Open:

    Send/Receive -> Send

Enter the recipient's STNC wallet address and the amount of STNC to send.

Review the transaction carefully before confirming it.

A submitted transaction is not considered accepted merely because it was
successfully transmitted. STN Chain independently validates transactions
and determines accepted Chain state.


Receive
-------

Open:

    Send/Receive -> Receive

Your STNC wallet address is displayed here.

Provide this address to someone who needs to send STNC to your wallet.


MINING
======

Open:

    Settings -> Mining

Mining can be turned on or off from this screen.

STNC Core uses the wallet configured for the application when participating
in mining.

A valid wallet must exist before mining can be enabled.

STNC Core is designed to participate without requiring specialized mining
hardware. Available mining behavior depends on the hardware and supported
backend detected by STNC Core.


CONTRACTS
=========

Creating a Contract
-------------------

Open:

    Wallet -> Contract

A valid STN identity is required before creating a Contract.

Select the Contract type, enter the Contract terms, and select
"Create Contract".

STNC Core will:

    - construct the canonical Contract;
    - sign the Contract creation request with your STN identity;
    - submit it directly to STN Chain; and
    - report the resulting Contract address and submission status.

Contract addresses begin with:

    stnc0_

Successful submission means the Contract has been admitted for Chain
processing. It does not, by itself, mean the Contract has been accepted
into Chain state.


Viewing Contracts
-----------------

Open:

    Tools -> Contracts

Accepted Contract information is obtained from STN Chain.

STNC Core does not treat locally generated data or submission responses as
proof that a Contract has been accepted.


ACTIVITY
========

Open:

    Activity

The Activity screen displays recent STNC Core activity and operational
messages.


ADDRESS TYPES
=============

STN Chain uses distinct address namespaces.

    stnw0_    Wallet address
    stn0_     Identity address
    stnc0_    Contract address

These address types serve different purposes and should not be treated as
interchangeable.


IMPORTANT FILES
===============

STNC Core may create local files containing application configuration,
logs, wallet information, and identity information.

Private key files must be protected.

Never give another person your private wallet or identity key files.

Never include private key files when sharing, copying, publishing, or
redistributing STNC Core.

Backing up important key material is the responsibility of the operator.


SECURITY
========

Only obtain STNC Core from an authorized STN Chain distribution source.

When release hashes are provided, verify the downloaded package against
the published hash before running it.

Do not run modified or untrusted copies of STNC Core.

STN Chain independently validates submitted records and transactions.
A client, peer, service, or submission response is evidence and does not
override Chain consensus.


CONFIGURATION
=============

STNC Core uses config.json for its runtime configuration.

Most users should not need to modify the supplied configuration.

Incorrect Chain, Stratum, network, or mining settings may prevent STNC Core
from operating correctly.


COMMAND LINE
============

STNC Core also contains command-line functionality.

For available commands, run:

    stnc-core.exe --help

The desktop interface can be started with:

    stnc-core.exe gui


PROJECT
=======

STNC Core is part of the STN Chain project.

STN Chain is designed around deterministic validation, independent
verification, and consensus-derived accepted state.

Consensus is not authority.


LICENSE
=======

See the license supplied with this distribution for applicable licensing
terms.


Copyright (c) 2026 STN-Labz
STN Chain