Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.canton.network/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
Canton Improvement Proposals (CIPs) are the formal mechanism for proposing changes, standards, and improvements to Canton Network.
What are CIPs?
CIPs are design documents providing information to the Canton community, describing new features, processes, or standards for Canton Network.
| CIP Type | Purpose |
|---|
| Standards Track | Technical specifications and standards |
| Process | Governance and operational procedures |
| Informational | General guidelines and information |
Why CIPs Matter
CIPs ensure that:
- Changes are discussed openly before implementation
- Standards enable interoperability
- The community has input on network evolution
- Decisions are voted on and then documented for reference
Key CIPs
CIP-0056: Canton Network Token Standard
The token standard defines interfaces for fungible tokens on Canton Network.
| Aspect | Specification |
|---|
| Purpose | Standardize token operations |
| Interfaces | Holding, Transfer, Lock |
| Interoperability | Wallet and app compatibility |
GitHub: CIP-0056
Key features:
- Standard holding representation
- Consistent transfer semantics
- Pre-approval support for advanced workflows
- Allocation patterns for multi-step transfers
CIP Process
Lifecycle
| Stage | Description |
|---|
| Draft | Initial proposal for discussion |
| Review | Community review and feedback |
| Accepted | Approved for implementation |
| Final | Implemented and stable |
| Rejected | Not accepted (with rationale) |
Who Can Propose
CIPs can be proposed by:
- Super Validators
- Community members
- Development teams
- Ecosystem participants
Implementing CIPs
For Application Developers
When building applications, consider relevant CIPs:
| Situation | Action |
|---|
| Creating tokens | Implement CIP-0056 interfaces |
| Wallet integration | Support standard interfaces |
| Interoperability | Follow published standards |
Example: Token Standard Implementation
-- Implement CIP-0056 holding interface
template MyToken
with
issuer : Party
holder : Party
amount : Decimal
where
signatory issuer
observer holder
-- Standard interface implementation
interface instance Holding.I for MyToken where
view = Holding.View with ...
Finding CIPs
| Resource | Content |
|---|
| GitHub Repository | All CIP documents |
| canton.foundation | Governance information |
| Community channels | Discussion and updates |
Contributing to CIPs
To propose or contribute to CIPs:
- Review existing CIPs to understand the format
- Discuss informally in community channels
- Write a draft following the CIP template
- Submit for review via the appropriate process
- Iterate based on feedback
Next Steps
Token Standard
Implement the Canton Token Standard.
CIP Repository
Browse all CIPs on GitHub.