> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.peaq.xyz/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction to Precompiles

## What is a Precompile?

Precompiles are specialized **EVM smart contracts** with **fixed** addresses and **predefined** functionality. Unlike regular contracts,
their code is embedded into the blockchain runtime, enabling highly efficient execution of specific tasks.

### Context in Our Ecosystem

Our blockchain is built on a **Substrate-based** framework that utilizes pallets—modular components responsible for executing various aspects
of the blockchain's logic. While our core functionality runs within these pallets, we also **support** an EVM environment. Precompiles serve
as a **bridge** between our native extrinsics (triggered by pallets) and the EVM, allowing smart contracts to access underlying blockchain functions seamlessly.

## How Precompiles Work

Each precompile encapsulates a set of operations (such as managing decentralized identities, storage, role-based access control, token standards like
ERC-20, and vesting mechanisms) as **EVM-compatible smart contracts**. They are deployed with preset values and built-in functions that **convert** EVM calls
into substrate extrinsics. This allows developers to call these functionalities using familiar EVM interfaces, while the heavy lifting is done by the **underlying** substrate pallets.

### Benefits

1. **Efficiency:** Direct integration into the runtime means that precompiles execute faster and more efficiently than equivalent logic implemented entirely in EVM bytecode.

2. **Security & Stability:** Because their functionality is defined at the protocol level, precompiles are rigorously tested and maintained, ensuring consistent performance and security.

3. **Enhanced Interoperability:** They allow for seamless interaction between native substrate features and EVM-based smart contracts, broadening the scope of decentralized applications built on our blockchain.

## Overview of Precompile Modules

The subsequent pages in this documentation provide detailed information on some available precompiles:

* **DID Precompile:** Manages decentralized identities (called directly in sdk).
* **Storage Precompile:** Handles specialized storage operations (called directly in sdk).
* **RBAC Precompile:** Implements role-based access control features (called directly in sdk).
* **ERC-20 Precompile:** Facilitates standard ERC-20 token operations for native peaq.
* **Vesting Precompile:** Manages token vesting schedules and related functionalities.
  For an exhaustive list of all of our precompiles please view the [peaq network node](https://github.com/peaqnetwork/peaq-network-node/tree/dev/precompiles).

## Summary

This introductory page sets the stage for understanding how precompiles integrate deeply with our Substrate-based blockchain. The following sections will dive into each precompile's specifics, offering insights, usage examples, and best practices for harnessing their capabilities in your applications.