---
title: "Project"
description: "Read the source, follow the C-to-Go fidelity rules, find research notes, learn how to contribute, and browse the Dark Pawns project history."
type: reference
audience: developers
verified: v0.1.8
canonical: https://darkpawns.org/docs/project/
---

[Documentation](/docs/) / [Project](/docs/project/)

# Project

Read the source, follow the C-to-Go fidelity rules, find research notes, learn how to contribute, and browse the Dark Pawns project history.

[Dark Pawns on GitHub](https://github.com/zax0rz/darkpawns) is the source repository for the Go server, website, world files, and research record.

## How the port preserves the game

Dark Pawns is a 1:1 port of the original C game; the Go server doesn't reinterpret it. The [Port Rulebook](https://github.com/zax0rz/darkpawns/blob/main/docs/fidelity/RULEBOOK.md) defines the five rules for player-facing bytes, commands, random draws, behavior, and verification. [Port fidelity workflow](/docs/project/port-fidelity/) explains how the read-only C oracle is used to check changes.

## Code and research

[Server architecture](/docs/project/architecture/)Trace startup from the server entrypoint through world loading, persistence, sessions, network listeners, and the shared game engine.

[Contribute to Dark Pawns](/docs/project/contributing/)Read the fidelity rules, format your changes, and run the required build, static analysis, and test checks before committing.

[Port fidelity workflow](/docs/project/port-fidelity/)Use the read-only C oracle, deterministic seams, and five governing rules to prove that the Go server preserves the original game behavior.

[Research notes](https://github.com/zax0rz/darkpawns/tree/main/docs/research) link the project README, dated evidence, and current research record.

## Project records

[About Dark Pawns](/about/)Dark Pawns began in 1994. This is the sourced history of the original MUD, its players, DPReturns, and the modern Go restoration.

[Dark Pawns Credits](/credits/)The creators, builders, players, and free-software projects behind Dark Pawns.

[A Brief History of Dark Pawns](/archive/history/)Frontline's record of Dark Pawns from its 1994 founding through the loss and recovery of the game in 2001.