consensus

Compare Paxos, Multi-Paxos, Raft, and EPaxos consensus algorithms.

Updated Jun 5, 2026

Search Tags:#algorithm #distributed systems #consensus #paxos #raft

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/hung-phan/system-skills --skill consensus-hung-phan

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: consensus
Source: https://github.com/hung-phan/system-skills/tree/main/skills/system-review/references/data-systems/consensus
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/hung-phan/system-skills --skill consensus-hung-phan

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes scripts (resource) and references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill provides an at-a-glance reference to distributed consensus algorithms, offering a deeper understanding of how systems maintain consistency across failures.

Core Features & Use Cases

Algorithm Overview: Quick summaries of Paxos, Multi-Paxos, Raft, and EPaxos.
When to Use: Guidelines on when to apply each algorithm based on system requirements.
Common Pitfalls: Alerts on common mistakes in implementing consensus algorithms.
Real-World Examples: Demonstrations of how consensus algorithms are used in real-world systems like etcd, Consul, and Spanner.

Quick Start

To learn about Paxos, type 'system-review learn consensus paxos'.

Frequently Asked Questions about consensus

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

What are the main distributed consensus algorithms for replicated state machines?▼

This Skill summarizes Paxos, Multi-Paxos, Raft, and EPaxos to help system designers maintain consistency across failures in distributed systems.

How do I choose between Raft and Multi-Paxos for my distributed system?▼

Compare Raft and Multi-Paxos using this Skill's overview to select the appropriate consensus algorithm based on your specific system requirements for replicated state machines.

When should I use EPaxos instead of standard Paxos?▼

Use EPaxos over standard Paxos when your distributed system requires specific consistency guarantees that EPaxos handles more efficiently, as outlined in the algorithm comparison guidelines.

What are common pitfalls when implementing distributed consensus algorithms?▼

This Skill alerts system designers to common mistakes in implementing consensus algorithms, helping avoid errors when applying Paxos, Raft, or EPaxos to distributed systems.

How are consensus algorithms used in real-world systems like etcd and Spanner?▼

Consensus algorithms like Raft are used in real-world systems such as etcd, Consul, and Spanner to maintain consistency across distributed components, as demonstrated in this Skill's examples.

Do I need prior distributed systems knowledge to understand these consensus algorithm overviews?▼

Yes, understanding system design principles and familiarity with distributed systems are required to effectively use this Skill's concise overviews of Paxos, Raft, and EPaxos.