> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://base-a060aa97-docs-use-case-ia-overhaul.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Chain

> The Base chain reference — network details, node operations, upgrades, and protocol specifications.

Base is an Ethereum Layer 2 built on the OP Stack. The Chain section is the reference for how it works and how to run against it.

## Explore the chain

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Chain overview" icon="link" href="/base-chain/overview">
    What Base is and how it's built.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect" icon="plug" href="/get-started/connect-to-base">
    RPC endpoints, chain IDs, and bridges.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Node operators" icon="server" href="/base-chain/node-operators/run-a-base-node">
    Run and operate a Base node.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Protocol specs" icon="file-lines" href="/base-chain/overview">
    Consensus, execution, and upgrade specifications.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>