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How DID resolution works
DID resolution is how the system turns a DID into the current details it needs to reach the right person or service.
A DID is a permanent digital address. DID resolution is the process that turns that address into the current details of the person, organisation, or service behind it. When a record names someone by their DID, the system resolves the DID to find where that person's records live and how to reach them.
What DID resolution is
Every DID has a public document, called the DID document. The document describes the subject and points to the service that holds their data. Resolution is the lookup: given a DID, the system finds the document and reads the details it needs.
The system caches the results of resolution. A person's details rarely change, so the cache avoids looking up the same DID on every request. When details change, the cache is refreshed.
Why this matters to you
As a user, you never resolve a DID yourself. What matters is what the design guarantees:
- A record names a person by DID, not by a name or email that could be confused with another person.
- When you share your DID, other people and apps can always find the current details of your identity, even if your provider changes.
- Community OS validates every DID it stores. Malformed addresses are refused on entry.
Where to learn more
- AT Protocol faithfulness explains the DID discipline Community OS follows, including the three DID kinds used for people, organisations, and services.
- What is a DID explains the address in plain language.
- What is a Personal Data Server explains where the records that a resolved DID points to are stored.