Concepts

Welcome to TrustWeave’s Concepts section! This section explains what TrustWeave concepts are and why they exist, helping you understand the fundamental building blocks of decentralized identity and trust systems.

What are Concepts?

Concepts explain the fundamental ideas, principles, and mental models behind TrustWeave. They help you understand:

  • What each component is
  • Why it exists and what problem it solves
  • How components relate to each other
  • When to use different approaches

How Concepts Relate to Other Documentation

  • Concepts (this section) - Understanding the “why” and “what”
  • How-To Guides - Practical “how-to” instructions for tasks
  • Tutorials - Step-by-step learning experiences
  • API Reference - Complete method and parameter documentation

Learning Path Through Concepts

Start Here: Core Concepts

Begin with these fundamental concepts that form the foundation of TrustWeave:

  1. Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs) - Understanding decentralized identity
  2. Verifiable Credentials - Understanding tamper-evident credentials
  3. Wallets - Understanding credential storage and management
  4. Key Management - Understanding cryptographic key management
  5. Trust Registry - Understanding trust relationships

Next: Advanced Concepts

Once you understand the basics, explore these advanced concepts:

Deep Dive: Technical Details

For implementation details and technical specifications:

Architecture: System Design

Understand how TrustWeave is designed and organized:

Concept Relationships

Understanding how concepts relate to each other helps you use TrustWeave effectively:

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DIDs
  └─> Key Management (DIDs need keys)
  └─> Verifiable Credentials (DIDs identify issuers/holders)
      └─> Wallets (Credentials are stored in wallets)
      └─> Blockchain Anchoring (Credentials can be anchored)
          └─> Blockchain-Anchored Revocation (Anchoring enables revocation)
      └─> Smart Contracts (Credentials bind contracts)

Quick Reference

Core Building Blocks

  • DIDs - Decentralized identifiers for entities
  • Verifiable Credentials - Tamper-evident attestations
  • Wallets - Secure credential storage
  • Keys - Cryptographic keys for signing and verification

Trust Mechanisms

  • Trust Registry - Managing trust relationships
  • Delegation - Delegating authority between DIDs
  • Web of Trust - Distributed trust networks

Data Integrity

  • Blockchain Anchoring - Immutable data references
  • JSON Canonicalization - Deterministic data representation
  • Proof Purpose Validation - Verifying proof intent

When to Read Concepts

Read concepts when you want to:

  • Understand why something works the way it does
  • Learn about design decisions and trade-offs
  • Explore different approaches to solving problems
  • Deepen your understanding of decentralized identity

Use How-To Guides when you want to:

  • Complete a specific task quickly
  • See practical examples
  • Get step-by-step instructions

Next Steps

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