---
title: Introduction to Waku
hide_table_of_contents: true
slug: /
displayed_sidebar: null
---

Waku is a family of robust, censorship-resistant, peer-to-peer communication protocols that enable privacy-focused messaging for Web3 applications, allowing you to integrate decentralised communication features into your dApp without compromising security or privacy.

<div class="cta-buttons">
  <a href="/build/javascript/" class="button button--primary">Start Building</a>
  <a href="/run-node/" class="button button--primary">Run a Node</a>
  <a href="/learn/" class="button button--primary">Learn More</a>
  <a href="/research/" class="button button--primary">Explore Research</a>
</div>



<div class="video-container">
  <iframe class="yt-video" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nIWx5Vp_Qxk" title="Waku Tutorial 001: Introduction to Waku" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>

:::tip
Check out our [Learn section](/learn/), [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@wakuorg), and [Blog](https://blog.waku.org/) to dive into how Waku works behind the scenes!
:::

## What isn’t Waku?

- Waku is not a blockchain but a network composed of protocols designed for Web3 communication, operating without the need for gas fees.
- Waku is not just for messaging applications; it supports the development of complex applications that require secure and private data transmission.
- Waku is not a long-term data storage network; it focuses on short, ephemeral, real-time messaging.

## What can Waku be used for?

1. **Chat Messengers**: Waku can be used to build private, decentralised chat apps resistant to censorship.
2. **Voting and Proposals**: Exchange votes on proposals off-chain via Waku to save gas fees, then submit aggregated results to the blockchain.
3. **NFT Marketplaces**: Use Waku to handle off-chain NFT bids and offers for gas savings, and to integrate social interactions like likes and comments.
4. **State Channels**: Establish and maintain state channels with Waku, facilitating seamless message exchanges and updates without blockchain interaction.
5. **Signature Exchange for Multi-Signature Wallets**: Allow multi-signature wallet owners to exchange signatures privately and securely through Waku.
6. **Game Mechanics Communication**: Implement Waku as a communication layer for decentralised, peer-to-peer gaming, avoiding centralised infrastructure.
7. **Layer 2 Coordination (Open Market, Spam Protected Mempool)**: Broadcast and aggregate Layer 2 transactions via Waku to enhance privacy and scalability, reducing network load.
8. **Social Media Platforms**: Beyond chat messengers, use Waku for decentralised, censorship-resistant social media platforms like news feeds and multimedia sharing.

:::tip
Looking for what to build with Waku? Discover a collection of sample ideas and use cases for inspiration, curated by our community at: [https://ideas.waku.org/](https://ideas.waku.org/) and [Awesome Waku](https://github.com/waku-org/awesome-waku/).
:::

## Case studies

<div class="case-study-container">
  <a href="https://blog.waku.org/2024-05-13-the-graph-case-study/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="/img/graph-use-case.jpeg" /></a>
  <a href="https://blog.waku.org/2024-04-26-railgun-case-study/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><img src="/img/railgun-use-case.jpeg" /></a>
</div>