> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hashpack.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hashpack.app/hashpack-documentation/general-guidelines/hips-and-network-updates.md).

# HIP's & Network Updates

As a developer, its important to keep up to date with new features being added to the network.

The two main ways to do this is to keep an eye on the in-progress HIP's (Hedera Improvement Proposals) and when those are being deployed to the network.

### Hedera Improvement Proposals (HIP's)

HIP's are the lifeblood of the network. Anyone is able to submit a HIP for anything they think would help the network. 

You can find the official HIP site [here](https://hips.hedera.com/), with a list of all in-progress HIP's [here](https://hips.hedera.com/all.html). [HIP-1](https://hips.hedera.com/hip/hip-1) explains the process for submitting and following a HIP through the process of it eventually getting deployed to mainnet for the entire network to enjoy.

If you think of something that could improve the network - submit a HIP!

### Network Updates

You can keep an eye on the latest updates to the network by viewing the [Hedera Network Release Notes](https://docs.hedera.com/hedera/networks/release-notes/services) page. This will let you know when you can try stuff out on testnet, or when it has been released to the production mainnet.

### Network Status

When the network undergoes an update, it becomes unavailable.

If you are experiencing unexpected errors in your app, you should first check the [status page](https://status.hedera.com/) to ensure the network is available.