> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.ante.finance/ante/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.ante.finance/ante/getting-started/how-ante-works.md).

# How Ante works

The core pieces of the Ante protocol are:

* **Ante Tests** = on-chain logic that verifies some condition is true/false
* **Ante Pools** = 2-sided capital pools that people stake or challenge assets in, whose payout is determined by the result of the Ante Test

#### Pool mechanics

Pools can be **staked** or **challenged**.

Challengers pay decay fees to stakers and test authors over time if the test continues to pass, but can claim staker funds as a reward if the test fails.

<figure><img src="/files/PnPILpPAv8NiviPu97Ah" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Pool activity reveals community trust in the tested conditions and can be used to impute a decentralized trust score.