> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.shellprotocol.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.shellprotocol.io/getting-started/integrations.md).

# Integrations

{% hint style="info" %}
In the future, no one will build dapps. Instead, they'll just plug each protocol into platforms like Shell and instantly connect to users.
{% endhint %}

## External vs Shell-native primitives

There are two ways to integrate Shell Protocol.

1. For protocols that are **already deployed**, you can [deploy an adapter contract](/getting-started/integrations/protocol-adapters.md) to connect it with Shell.
2. If the smart contracts are still **in development**, you can [build natively on Shell Protocol](/getting-started/integrations/shell-native-primitives.md). This will reduce the complexity of your code and save gas when bundling transactions with other primitives on Shell.

## Why integrate?

* With one integration, instantly connect your project to other major DeFi protocols — receive integrations with Curve, Balancer, Uniswap and many other projects out of the box.
* Accelerate growth with built-in access to a suite of DeFi protocols and their communities.
* Elevate your dapp into a DeFi lego for the Shell [developer community](/getting-started/developers.md) to plug-and-play.
