# How it works

**Step 1: Submit Order** You create an order (limit, market, stop-loss, etc.) which is immediately encrypted.

**Step 2: Order matching** Orders are instantly matched inside the enclave

**Step 3: Matching** The system determines optimal clearing prices without revealing individual orders.

**Step 4: Settlement** Positions update on-chain or via verifiable commitments. You receive a cryptographic receipt.

**Step 5: Verification** Anyone can verify the batch was executed correctly using published proofs.


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# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.opaldex.com/understanding-opal/how-it-works.md?ask=<question>
```

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The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.