# Protocol Overview

The Fallout 4 Together protocol defines the messages sent between Fallout 4 clients and the external server.

Early versions should stay simple and easy to debug.

## Early Design

The first version can use human-readable packets during testing.

Long-term versions may move to a binary protocol if performance becomes a problem.

## First Required Messages

- `welcome`
- `transform`
- `disconnect`
- `ping`
- `pong`

## Main Rule

The protocol should be testable outside Fallout 4 before it is used inside the F4SE plugin.