> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://info.ordinalgenesis.xyz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://info.ordinalgenesis.xyz/ordinals/recursion.md).

# Recursion

## 📚 How Collections and Inscriptions Work

In a traditional collection, you inscribe each **final image (PFP)** directly. But full images are often **1–3MB**, which can cost **thousands of dollars** per file — and if a file is over **4MB**, it **can’t be inscribed at all**.

#### ❌ Why This Doesn’t Scale

In a 10k collection, direct inscriptions are:

* **Too expensive**
* **Not scalable**
* **Limited by size caps**

***

### ✅ Why Recursion Fixes It

With recursion, you inscribe the **individual traits once** (eyes, background, etc.), and then create **small recursive files** that reference those traits to build the final image **on-chain**.

#### Key Benefits:

* **Drastically lower costs**
* **Files stay under size limits**
* **Fully on-chain and modular**

Each mint only needs to inscribe a tiny recursive file — making minting cost as little as **$1 per collector**, without sacrificing on-chain permanence.

***

## 💰 File Size = Higher Fees

Inscriptions are priced **per byte**. Bigger files = higher fees.

#### 📦 Example:

* 100KB  = $100
* 20KB  = $20

👉 **Smaller files = cheaper inscriptions.**\
Keep files light to save money.

***

## ⚙️ Using Generatord + Recursion (The Cheap Way)

Use [GeneratorD](https://www.generatord.io) to build and prepare your collection efficiently.

#### 🛠 Workflow:

1. **Compress traits**:
   * Resize to **500×500**
   * Convert to **`.webp`**
   * Strip metadata (EXIF, color profiles)
2. **Upload compressed traits** to GeneratorD.
3. **Inscribe traits** at a low fee rate (e.g. **1.2 sats/byte**).
4. **Pay for file generation** inside Generatord.
5. **Generate recursive files** (don’t inscribe them yet).
6. **Upload your collection** to\
   👉 <https://creator.ordinalgenesis.xyz>

**⚠️ Important:**\
Do **not** inscribe the recursive files yourself — just generate them and follow the steps in the Ordinal Genesis Creator.

***

## 🧾 Why This Saves Money

Recursive mints only reference traits — they don’t store full images again.

#### 💸 Result:

* Each mint = just 100 bytes
* At 1.2 sats/byte, minting can cost **under $1**
* Scales easily without bloating costs

**👉 Compress + recurse = fully on-chain + super cheap mints**

***


---

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