๐ What is an iApp? โ
An iExec Application (iApp) brings Turnkey Privacy to your regular application code. Your Python scripts, AI models, or data processors can securely process protected data inside a TEE (Trusted Execution Environment).
Why iApps Matter ? โ
iApps provide Turnkey Privacy capabilities. Process sensitive data while keeping it private and secure.
Imagine you want to build:
Users have this data, but they won't trust your regular app with it. With Turnkey Privacy iApps, they will.
You gain their trust. They gain their privacy. Everyone wins.
Key Concepts โ
True Privacy: Users never expose their raw data. Your app processes it privately inside secure enclaves.
Trusted Execution: iExec ensures that your code runs inside a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE), which guarantees that only the specified Docker image is executed in a secure and isolated environment.
Decentralized Infrastructure: No single point of failure. Your app runs across a distributed network of workers.
Zero Trust Architecture: User data is protected by hardware-based TEEs, which keep data confidential and inaccessible to the host, cloud provider, or operating system during execution.
How it Works โ
Your code runs in a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE). This secure area exists inside specific processors (Intel SGX/TDX chipset). Everything stays private and protected there, even from the operating system.
Authorized users trigger iApps that process protected data inside this private environment. Your iApp uses the data but never exposes it, not even to you.
Your iApp can send emails, update contracts, make transactions, trigger notifications - anything your code needs. This isn't about trust. We provide cryptographic and hardware-enforced guarantees that preserve privacy within the TEE execution environment.
Use Cases โ
Private Communication
Users send emails, notifications, or messages using their protected contact lists without exposing recipient information.
Trustworthy Oracles
Users contribute real data to oracles while keeping their private information confidential.
Personal AI Assistants
Users let AI models perform actions based on their private data - trading, scheduling, recommendations...
Automated Actions
Users let AI models perform actions based on their private data - trading, scheduling, recommendations...
โ Frequently Asked Questions โ
๐ฆ What can I build with iApps?
Anything that runs in Docker! AI models, data processing scripts, web scrapers, image processing, financial calculations, etc. If it runs in a container, it can be an iApp.
โก How fast are iApps?
Initial task scheduling takes a few seconds (depending on the resources the worker download, congestion etc), then your code runs at normal speed depending on complexity.
๐ก๏ธ Are iApps really secure?
Yes! Code runs in Intel SGX or TDX secure enclaves. Even the worker running your iApp can't see what's happening inside the enclave.
๐ How do I deploy my first iApp?
Try our Hello World for a quick start, or check the iApp Generator section for detailed instructions.
๐ง What programming languages are supported?
You can build iApps in any language that runs in Docker (Python, JavaScript, R, Java, Go, etc.). However, iApp Generator currently supports only Python and Node.js for simplified development.
Next Steps โ
TL;DR: iApps = Your code + Secure execution + User privacy + Verifiable results.
Cloud computing where privacy is guaranteed, not hoped for. ๐
๐ช You're Building the Future
Every iApp you create **empowers users to take control of their data** while still benefiting from powerful applications. You're not just building softwareโ**you're building trust, privacy, and digital sovereignty for the next billion users**.