Base is reorganizing its tech stack and moving key network components into its own unified codebase called base/base. The shift will gradually reduce it’s reliance on Optimism’s OP Stack and other external teams while keeping the protocol open source and publicly specified.
Why Base Is Moving to a Unified Stack
Today, different teams maintain critical parts of Base’s infrastructure, such as the sequencer, across several external repositories. Base’s engineers say this setup adds coordination overhead and slows upgrades because each change needs alignment across multiple codebases.
By consolidating everything into the new base/base repository, the team wants to simplify the architecture around a smaller set of components tuned for Base’s needs. The new stack will lean on open‑source pieces like the Reth Ethereum client while letting Base control how those components fit together.
What Changes for Node Operators and Upgrades
As part of the transition, node operators will stop following Optimism’s software releases and instead run Base’s own client for future upgrades. Each network upgrade will ship as a single official Base binary, which should make deployments more predictable across the ecosystem.
Base aims to double its major upgrade cadence from about three to six hard forks per year once the unified stack is in place. The team also plans to use future forks to test new proving systems, including a possible evolution from optimistic proofs toward TEE or zero‑knowledge proof based designs while keeping its current Stage 1 rollup status.
Base launched on Optimism’s OP Stack and grew into the largest network in the Superchain by total value locked. After the change, Base will no longer rely on OP Stack code for its core infrastructure, but it says the protocol will stay open and compatible with public specifications so other clients can still integrate.
The engineering blog stresses that the L2 is not closing itself off from outside contributors. Any team can build independent clients that follow Base’s published specs, and the chain intends to maintain cross‑upgrade compatibility with those implementations.
The unified codebase should give Base more control over its roadmap but also raises execution risks if the migration for node operators hits problems. Over the next few months, the team will roll out the base/base stack in stages, aiming to speed up development while keeping the network stable for users and builders.
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