New report · Version 1.0 · November 13, 2026
The Layered Web
The Desirable Properties of a Meta-Layer
Twenty-four properties that a trustworthy layer above the web must have, written in the open by hundreds of contributors over two years and decided, line by line, in public.
The first step from principle to working system: properties become requirements, requirements become architecture decisions, and decisions build the Overweb. A living book: discuss every page online, propose changes for Version 1.1, and find its chapters preserved on Bitcoin.
PDF · 807 pages · 16 MB · Foreword by Vint Cerf · CC BY 4.0
- Desirable Properties, one chapter each
- 24
- Desirable Properties, one chapter each
- proposals decided in the open
- 1,635
- proposals decided in the open
- Calls for Input, 2024 and 2025
- 2
- Calls for Input, 2024 and 2025
- documents, each signed off by two steering members
- 28
- documents, each signed off by two steering members
Where it fits
From principles to a working layer
The Desirable Properties are the first step of a circuit that turns shared values into running software, and running software back into better values.
Step 1
Desirable Properties
What a trustworthy layer above the web must do. This book.
Step 2
Requirements
Each property becomes testable requirements (ML-REQs).
Step 3
Architecture decisions
Requirements become recorded design decisions (ML-ADRs), tied to code and tests.
Step 4
The Overweb
Built and piloted against those decisions; the evidence flows back into the next version.
Follow the circuit on requirements and architecture decisions at theoverweb.org.
A living book
Version 1.0 is a starting point
Read and discuss →
Every page of the online book has a discussion layer. Ask, challenge and annotate in place.
See how it was decided →
Every proposal, who decided it and why, and the final text of all 28 documents. Proposals for Version 1.1 open next.
Preserved on Bitcoin →
Chapters, the Calls for Input and their history are inscribed on Bitcoin through BRC333, so the record outlives any website.
Ask Deepi about the book
Deepi has read all 24 properties, the proposals and the decisions behind them. Push on it: pick a question or ask your own.
- How is this different from Web3?
- Why does the web need a layer above the page at all?
- Who decides what's desirable, and who gets left out?
- Which property would Big Tech fight hardest?
- Could this be captured by the platforms it criticizes?
- How does this protect me from AI manipulation?
- What would change for me if this were built?
- What is the weakest chapter, and why?
Open Deepi to ask anything. Sign in to send a question.
The Layered Web, in short videos
Why the web needs a layer above the page, and what the 24 properties are for.