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

# Introduction

> Understand the Arupa Kernel and how it hosts plugins.

The Arupa Kernel is the host process at the center of Arupa. It provides the
shared server runtime that plugins build on, so each plugin can focus on its
own features instead of implementing its own server, authentication, or
plugin-to-plugin communication.

The Kernel is responsible for:

* serving HTTP requests and Socket.IO connections;
* discovering, loading, starting, and stopping plugins, as well as reloading
  configuration;
* connecting plugin-declared HTTP routes, static files, and Socket.IO
  namespaces to the server;
* providing shared host APIs such as key-value storage, logging, event
  emission, and plugin messages; and
* authenticating requests and enforcing configured host, plugin, route, and
  event access policies.

Plugins run as separate WASM or gRPC components. During registration, a plugin
declares the routes, static mounts, and Socket.IO namespaces it provides. The
Kernel then dispatches matching requests and events to the owning plugin while
keeping the host-level identity and access checks in one place.

To run Arupa, first install the Kernel and choose the installation method that
fits your environment.

<Card title="Install the Kernel" icon="download" href="./installation">
  Choose between the binary and Docker installation guides.
</Card>