> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.mazze.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.mazze.io/architecture/block-structure.md).

# Block structure

Mazze blocks are encoded as a header plus a list of signed transactions. The header carries both DAG topology information (parent + referees) and execution outputs (deferred roots).

## Header fields (BlockHeader)

* `parent_hash` - parent edge in the tree portion of DETS.
* `height` - block height on the main chain (epoch height).
* `timestamp` - unix time used for ordering and PoW checks.
* `author` - miner/producer address.
* `transactions_root` - MPT root of transaction hashes.
* `deferred_state_root` - state root after deferred epoch execution.
* `deferred_receipts_root` - receipts root for the executed epoch.
* `deferred_logs_bloom_hash` - bloom for logs in the executed epoch.
* `blame` - count of ancestors whose deferred roots are incorrect, used for light verification and reward logic.
* `difficulty` - PoW difficulty for the block.
* `adaptive` - WLSR adaptive flag used by consensus weighting.
* `gas_limit` - block gas limit used by packing and verification.
* `referee_hashes` - extra DAG edges referencing other blocks.
* `custom` - custom bytes used for fork markers and protocol transitions.
* `nonce` - PoW nonce.
* `base_price` - per-space base price. It is `[native, eSpace]` while the shielded price is zero, and `[native, eSpace, shielded]` once it is set. A zero third price is non-canonical, so existing headers keep their encoding and hash.

## Deferred roots and epochs

Execution is deferred by a fixed number of epochs to reduce reorg churn. The header of block N carries roots computed from earlier epoch execution, which is why these fields are labeled "deferred".

## Block body

The body is a vector of `SignedTransaction`. The canonical `Block` encoding includes transactions without sender/public fields (RLP of `TransactionWithSignature`), while helper encoders can include the public key when needed for RPC or sync.

## Shielded section

A block can carry a third part, the shielded section, with the bodies of shielded transactions:

* The block is `[header, transactions]`, or `[header, transactions, shielded]` when the section is non-empty. An empty section has one valid form (absent), so existing blocks keep their encoding.
* With a non-empty section, `transactions_root` is `keccak(domain || account_root || shielded_root)`. There is no new header field.
* On the wire, a block also carries its witness: one proof per shielded body, `[header, transactions, shielded, witness]`. The block database stores the body without the witness.
* A stored body is the old transaction list when there is no section, otherwise a `0x01` marker followed by `[transactions, shielded]`.

See [The shielded lane](/shielded-space/shielded-lane.md).

## Compact blocks

`CompactBlock` is used for efficient block relay. It includes short IDs derived from a random nonce, so peers can reconstruct the full block from their mempool. The shielded section rides along as an optional fourth item, and the root check on reconstruction uses the full root.

## Key source files

* `crates/primitives/src/block_header.rs`
* `crates/primitives/src/block.rs`
* `crates/primitives/src/shielded.rs`
* `crates/mazzecore/core/src/verification.rs`