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+# Puter Backend Boot Sequence
+
+This document describes the boot sequence of Puter's backend.
+
+**Constriction**
+  - Data structures are created
+
+**Initialization**
+  - Registries are populated
+  - Services prepare for next phase
+
+**Consolidation**
+  - Service event bus receives first event (`boot.consolidation`)
+  - Services perform coordinated setup behaviors
+  - Services prepare for next phase
+
+**Activation**
+  - Blocking listeners of `boot.consolidation` have resolved
+  - HTTP servers start listening
+
+**Ready**
+  - Services are informed that Puter is providing service
+
+## Boot Phases
+
+### Construction
+
+Services implement a method called `construct` which initializes members
+of an instance. Services do not override the class constructor of
+**BaseService**. This makes it possible to use the `new` operator without
+invoking a service's constructor behavior during debugging.
+
+The first phase of the boot sequence, "construction", is simply a loop to
+call `construct` on all registered services.
+
+The `_construct` override should not:
+- call other services
+- emit events
+
+### Initialization
+
+At initialization, the `init()` method is called on all services.
+The `_init` override can be used to:
+- register information with other services, when services don't
+  need to register this information in a specific sequence.
+  An example of this is registering commands with CommandService.
+- perform setup that is required before the consolidation phase starts.
+
+### Consolidation
+
+Consolidation is a phase where services should emit events that
+are related to bringing up the system. For example, WebServerService
+('web-server') emits an event telling services to install middlewares,
+and later emits an event telling services to install routes.
+
+Consolidation starts when Kernel emits `boot.consolidation` to the
+services event bus, which happens after `init()` resolves for all
+services.
+
+### Activation
+
+Activation is a phase where services begin listening on external
+interfaces. For example, this is when the web server starts listening.
+
+Activation starts when Kernel emits `boot.activation`.
+
+### Ready
+
+Ready is a phase where services are informed that everything is up.
+
+Ready starts when Kernel emits `boot.ready`.
+
+## Events and Asynchronous Execution
+
+The services event bus is implemented so you can `await` a call to `.emit()`.
+Event listeners can choose to have blocking behavior by returning a promise.
+
+During emission of a particular event, listeners of this event will not
+block each other, but all listeners must resolve before the call to
+`.emit()` is resolved. (i.e. `emit` uses `Promise.all`)
+
+## Legacy Services
+
+Some services were implemented before the `BaseService` class - which
+implements the `init` method - was created. These services are called
+"legacy services" and they are instantiated _after_ initialization but
+_before_ consolidation.