Protocol Separation: AnchorWorks and ForgeRun

Understanding the distinction between ForgeRun (the protocol) and AnchorWorks (the infrastructure provider) is essential for evaluating trust boundaries.

ForgeRun: The Protocol

ForgeRun is a neutral, open transparency protocol. It provides an append-only ledger for time-anchored commitments. ForgeRun does not evaluate, interpret, or validate what is committed.

• Open transparency protocol
• Append-only ledger
• Time-anchored commitments
• No content evaluation

AnchorWorks: The Infrastructure

AnchorWorks builds runtime infrastructure that uses ForgeRun as its transparency substrate. AnchorWorks constructs Merkle trees, manages batches, and publishes commitments.

• Runtime adapter infrastructure
• Merkle tree construction
• Batch management
• Evidence locker storage

Trust Implications

This separation means verifiers need not trust AnchorWorks. They can independently verify evidence using ForgeRun's public ledger and standard cryptographic tools.