# Core Components

MintFlow combines a local DNS server with a routing engine. Together they decide how names resolve and where traffic goes, whether you use Direct, a VPN, or a proxy.

- [Internal DNS Server](core-components/internal-dns.md): secure DNS, split DNS, static records, Tailscale names, caching, and built-in ad filtering.
- [Routing Rules Engine](core-components/routing-engine.md): rule priority, domain sets and keywords, IP routes, and defaults.

Use the [profile reference](profile.md) for exact fields. These components run inside the MintFlow VPN tunnel; a remote VPN service is optional.