IsabeLLM: Automated Theorem Proving Applied to Formally Verifying Consensus

Elliot Jones; William Knottenbelt

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arXiv · 2606.18098

IsabeLLM: Automated Theorem Proving Applied to Formally Verifying Consensus

Elliot Jones·William Knottenbelt

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Abstract

Advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) have led AI for Theorem Proving to become a promising means of formally verifying computer systems. Whilst formal verification is traditionally reserved for safety-critical systems due to the required amount of expertise and effort, AI can help to automate a large amount of this workload and make it far more accessible. Blockchain-based systems are becoming increasingly popular and are frequently targeted by malicious actors, often resulting in huge financial losses, highlighting the need to better verify these systems and mitigate vulnerabilities. Arguably the most important component of these systems is the consensus protocol, which allows nodes to agree on decisions in a potentially adversarial environment. In this paper, we improve upon IsabeLLM, the automated theorem proving tool in Isabelle. Namely, we implement a Retrieval-Augmented Generation framework, Error tracing and counterexample generation for improved context supplied to the Large Language Model. Compatibility with the latest version of Isabelle and Sledgehammer is also implemented for improved efficiency. We compare the performance of the two versions of IsabeLLM in their ability to complete the verification of Bitcoin's Proof of Work consensus.

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Elliot Jones, William Knottenbelt. 2026-06-16. IsabeLLM: Automated Theorem Proving Applied to Formally Verifying Consensus. https://arxiv.org/abs/2606.18098

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