Entry 01
The ledger
A shared record of who sent what, kept by many independent computers that all check the same rules. No one copy is special, and every copy must agree.
Tallybark, notes on Bitcoin's design
Why does Bitcoin work the way it does?
Bitcoin is a set of deliberate choices, and each one answers a problem. Tallybark walks through those answers in plain language: why the record is shared, why rewriting the past is costly, why the supply has a ceiling, and why no single party can quietly change the rules for everyone else.
We teach and describe. We do not tell you what to buy, when to sell, or what anything is worth.
Start with four entries
Each entry is a ticket. The main panel explains an idea, and the stub at the side points to where it is covered in the guide.
Entry 02
Proof of work
Why rewriting history costs real effort. Each block must carry work that is slow to produce and quick to check, which makes the past expensive to change.
Entry 03
A fixed supply
The protocol sets a ceiling of 21 million units and cuts the reward for new blocks on a published schedule. Scarcity here is a rule, not a committee decision.
Entry 04
Keys
Control of coins is control of a secret. A private key signs transfers, nothing can reset it for you, and losing it can mean losing access for good.
Three ways to use this site
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Read in order
The guide builds from simple ideas to harder ones. Each entry assumes only the entries that come before it, so you can stop and resume without losing the thread.
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Hear the rhythm
The Rhythm Lab is a step sequencer. It turns the idea of agreeing on order into a pattern you can hear, change, and play back at your own tempo.
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Ask the questions
The questions page answers the ones we hear most. If yours is missing, write to the desk and tell us which page prompted it.
What this site is not
Tallybark is an independent explainer. It is not connected to any company, exchange, wallet, or project. Nothing here is financial, legal, or medical advice, and no page predicts prices. For decisions about your own money or health, speak with a qualified professional who knows your situation.