> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.axiomprotocol.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.axiomprotocol.io/whitepaper/bootstrap-phase.md).

# Bootstrap Phase

Axiom does not launch as a fully decentralized protocol on day one. Instead, it begins in a temporary [**bootstrap phase**](/protocol-design/bootstrap-launch-mechanism.md) designed to safely bring the system online, seed early markets, ensure reliable resolutions, and allow the platform to build momentum before governance is opened to stakers.

This section explains why the bootstrap phase exists, how it works, what its limits are, and how it eventually ends.

{% content-ref url="/pages/0SopJzMptBtXSRhfsRuh" %}
[Why Bootstrap Mode Exists](/whitepaper/bootstrap-phase/why-bootstrap-mode-exists.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/0IOCOUKtZVnznyJ29yBT" %}
[Who Runs Bootstrap Mode](/whitepaper/bootstrap-phase/who-runs-bootstrap-mode.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/L86KPW57kD1JKnChrwEF" %}
[What Bootstrap Signers Can Do](/whitepaper/bootstrap-phase/what-bootstrap-signers-can-do.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/m95bn6HIyGcEGrPEvwIs" %}
[Rate Limits and Transparency](/whitepaper/bootstrap-phase/rate-limits-and-transparency.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/2KzYqJlsIb0pHxjoGQDz" %}
[Bootstrap Market Strategy](/whitepaper/bootstrap-phase/bootstrap-market-strategy.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}

{% content-ref url="/pages/q2QqElHjkLQRgJtZVD2s" %}
[How Bootstrap Mode Ends](/whitepaper/bootstrap-phase/how-bootstrap-mode-ends.md)
{% endcontent-ref %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.axiomprotocol.io/whitepaper/bootstrap-phase.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
