# Technical reference

Last validated May 7, 2025

These topics provide technical reference about Tailscale tools and features in your Tailscale network (known as a tailnet).

## Access control policies

You can use access control policies to enforce access for users, devices, and applications in your tailnet.

[**Syntax reference for the tailnet policy file**](/docs/reference/syntax/policy-file) — Reference syntax for the tailnet policy file.

[**ACL policy examples**](/docs/reference/examples/acls) — View example ACL policies for common scenarios.

[**Node attributes vs. grant app capabilities**](/docs/reference/node-attributes-vs-app-capabilities) — Understand whether a capability belongs on a device or on a connection, and how node attributes and grant app capabilities differ.

## Tailscale command line interface (CLI)

The Tailscale client includes a built-in CLI tool you can use to manage and troubleshoot your device within your Tailscale network (known as a tailnet).

[**Tailscale CLI**](/docs/reference/tailscale-cli) — Manage and troubleshoot your tailnet with the Tailscale command-line interface (Tailscale CLI).

## Tailscale application programming interface (API)

You can use the Tailscale API to automate and manage various aspects of your tailnet.

[**Tailscale API**](/docs/reference/tailscale-api) — Explore the Tailscale application programming interface (API).

[**OAuth clients**](/docs/features/oauth-clients) — Use OAuth clients to provide ongoing access to the Tailscale API.

[**tsnet**](/docs/features/tsnet) — Use the tsnet package to embed Tailscale inside a Go program.

## Technical overviews and production best practices

Read in-depth topics about Tailscale networking, security, and production best practices.

[**Technical overviews**](/docs/concepts) — Get in-depth technical details about Tailscale.

[**Production best practices**](/docs/reference/best-practices/production) — Follow production and security best practices for deploying Tailscale.

## Terminology and concepts

Familiarize yourself with Tailscale terminology and concepts.

[**Terminology and concepts**](/docs/reference/glossary) — Review Tailscale terminology and concepts.