> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.generatord.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.generatord.io/readme/what-is-recursion.md). # What is Recursion? Recursion is a technique used in ordinal inscriptions where one inscription can reference another inscription. GeneratOrd uses a series of HTML and JavaScript inscriptions that utilise recursion to generate a collection on chain. For this to work, all the traits used in the collection are inscribed as regular images. Then, the collection is inscribed as HTML files. These HTML files run some JavaScript code that loads the trait images, combines them into a single image by layering them on top of each other, and displays this image. GeneratOrd uses some clever techniques to make these HTML files as small as possible, making it cheaper to inscribe them. Because the HTML files are so small, it is very cheap to inscribe them, making large collections much cheaper --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## 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, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.generatord.io/readme/what-is-recursion.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. 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.