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

# What is BeaconKit?

> Modular consensus layer for Ethereum-based chains.

BeaconKit is a modular framework developed by Berachain for building EVM [consensus clients](/general/help/glossary#consensus-client). It integrates the benefits of CometBFT consensus, including increased composability, [single slot finality (SSF)](https://ethereum.org/en/roadmap/single-slot-finality/), and more.

BeaconKit is an innovative framework that makes the [CometBFT](https://docs.cometbft.com/v0.38/) consensus algorithm available to any EVM execution environment. In other words, BeaconKit is a modular consensus layer that is adaptable for Ethereum-based blockchains.

BeaconKit packages the CometBFT consensus algorithm with a modular middleware layer capable of receiving blocks from any execution environment that conforms to the [Engine API](/general/help/glossary#engine-api) specification. This allows those blocks to be processed through CometBFT consensus. In practice, this enables support for unmodified EVM [execution clients](/general/help/glossary#execution-client) to run on top of BeaconKit, allowing chains to be [EVM identical](/general/introduction/what-is-berachain#evm-identical).

The framework is built with modularity in mind and can be extended with different layers such as a custom block builder, a rollup layer, a data availability layer, and others. This modularity enables the building of not only Layer 1 blockchains but also serves as a framework for Layer 2 solutions.

## BeaconKit advantages

Running a BeaconKit-based chain provides several advantages (assuming the default configuration of pairing with an EVM execution client):

* **Single slot finality** — Compared to Ethereum's \~13 minutes; see [single slot finality](/general/help/glossary#single-slot-finality) in the glossary
* **Optimistic payload building** — Executing block proposal in parallel with voting reduces block times by up to 40%
* **Eth2 modularity** — Conformity to separation of execution and consensus with communication via Engine API
* **Full EIP compatibility** — The majority of EVM tooling is supported
* **Modular** — Can allow for custom block builder, rollup, data availability layer, and more

For running a node, see [BeaconKit Consensus Layer](/nodes/architecture/beaconkit-consensus) in Architecture. For the official implementation, see the [BeaconKit GitHub repository](https://github.com/berachain/beacon-kit).