Stack
The four layers of the MDK backend stack — Workers, App Node, MDK App Toolkit, and ORK
MDK's backend is composed of four coordinated layers. Each layer has a single, bounded responsibility; together they form a complete path from physical device to application consumer.
| Layer | What it owns |
|---|---|
| Workers | Device integration — translate hardware telemetry and commands into the MDK Protocol |
| ORK | Kernel — route commands, monitor health, register Workers, and pull telemetry |
| App Node | Application gateway — authenticated HTTP, WebSocket, and MCP interface on top of ORK |
| MDK App Toolkit | Development toolkit — App Node backend, plugin system, and frontend packages |
For the architecture overview and how data flows between layers, see Architecture.