# Introduction

Mangrove is an [EVM-compatible](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/scaling/sidechains/#evm-compatibility) order book [DEX](https://ethereum.org/glossary/#dex), in which offers can be bound to a [smart contract](https://ethereum.org/en/smart-contracts/). In the order book, offers exist in offer lists, on the "asks" side or the "bids" side.

Mangrove's order book lists promises to trade, instead of locked commitments:

* Offer makers add liquidity promises to Mangrove. They own offers in offer list and manage contracts that react to offer execution.
* Takers go to Mangrove to find liquidity by executing offers already in Mangrove.
* Governance adjusts Mangrove parameters, sets fees, and opens and closes markets.

**INFO :** For non-technical information about Mangrove, check out the Concepts section.

## Where do I start?

A good entry-point to the developer documentation is the Overview in the Technical Reference section.

## Where can I join the community?

The Mangrove project is open source. Follow and contribute on [GitHub](https://github.com/mangrovedao/), and join the [Mangrove Discord](https://discord.gg/rk9Qthz5YE).