Consensus

Consensus in Mazze is handled by ConsensusGraph, which sits on top of the synchronization graph. It maintains the DAG-Embedded Tree Structure (DETS) and implements the Timer Chain WLSR / Mazze ordering algorithm.

ConsensusGraph responsibilities

• Accept ready blocks from the sync graph.

• Maintain the DETS view of the DAG.

• Compute an ordered sequence of epochs and the best block hash.

• Provide mining inputs (best info, terminal hashes, blame/state data).

• Dispatch epoch execution tasks.

DAG/consensus view (mermaid)

Solid edges are parent links; dashed edges are referee links.

flowchart TB
  subgraph DAG["DAG (parent + referee edges)"]
    A[Block A] --> B[Block B]
    B --> C[Block C]
    A -.-> D[Block D]
    B -.-> E[Block E]
    D --> F[Block F]
  end

  subgraph Consensus["Consensus view"]
    C -->|main chain| M[Epoch N]
    E -->|outlier set| O[Outliers]
    M --> T[Timer chain anchor]
    M --> X[Execution queue]
  end

Ordering and weights (Timer Chain WLSR)

The ordering algorithm blends two ideas:

• Weighted longest chain (WLSR) over the DAG to capture total work.

• Timer chain to anchor stable checkpoints.

Key parameters are configurable:

• adaptive_weight_beta and heavy_block_difficulty_ratio determine adaptive weighting for heavy blocks.

• timer_chain_block_difficulty_ratio and timer_chain_beta govern timer chain selection.

• era_epoch_count defines checkpoint spacing.

Outliers, adaptive blocks, and partial invalidity

When a block arrives, consensus computes its outlier set (blocks in the future of its parent view) and derives an adaptive weight. Blocks that choose an incorrect parent or carry an incorrect adaptive flag are marked partial invalid. Partial invalid blocks remain in the DAG but are excluded from rewards and ordering.

Epochs and eras

• An epoch is the ordered block set associated with a main-chain block.

• An era is a contiguous range of epochs used for checkpointing and pruning.

• cur_era_genesis and cur_era_stable_height define the active era window.

Consensus dispatches execution by epochs, and execution is deferred to reduce reorg churn.

Checkpoints and timer chain

The timer chain provides a stable anchor for era checkpoints. When a candidate checkpoint is selected, the graph is trimmed to a new era while ensuring that no timer-chain block sits in the outlier of the new genesis.

Confirmation and mining readiness

ConfirmationMeter tracks confirmation depth for main-chain blocks. Once the node enters the normal phase and the consensus graph is stable, the ready_for_mining flag enables block generation.

Key source files

• crates/mazzecore/core/src/consensus/mod.rs

• crates/mazzecore/core/src/consensus/consensus_inner/mod.rs

• crates/mazzecore/core/src/consensus/consensus_inner/consensus_new_block_handler.rs