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

# What is Abstract?

> A high-level overview of what Abstract is and how it works.

Abstract is a [Layer 2](https://ethereum.org/en/layer-2/) (L2) network built on top of
[Ethereum](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/), designed to securely power consumer-facing
blockchain applications at scale with low fees and fast transaction speeds.

Built on top of the [ZK Stack](https://docs.zksync.io/zk-stack), Abstract is a
[zero-knowledge (ZK) rollup](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/scaling/zk-rollups/) built to
be a more scalable alternative to Ethereum; it achieves this scalability by executing transactions off-chain, batching them together,
and verifying batches of transactions on Ethereum using [(ZK) proofs](https://ethereum.org/en/zero-knowledge-proofs/).

Abstract is [EVM](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/evm/) compatible, meaning it looks and feels like
Ethereum, but with lower gas fees and higher transaction throughput. Existing smart contracts built for Ethereum will work
out of the box on Abstract ([with some differences](/how-abstract-works/evm-differences/overview)),
meaning developers can easily port applications to Abstract with no or minimal changes.

## Start using Abstract

Ready to start building on Abstract? Here are some next steps to get you started:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Connect to Abstract" icon="plug" href="/connect-to-abstract">
    Connect your wallet or development environment to Abstract.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Start Building" icon="rocket" href="/build-on-abstract/getting-started">
    Start developing smart contracts or applications on Abstract.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>