Protocol Model (v0.1)

1. Purpose

The RIGOR AI Constraint Protocol Model defines the formal conceptual framework that governs the structural boundaries of AI-generated systems. It formalizes:

• The structural position of the protocol.
• Its normative components.
• The interaction boundaries between human intent, AI generation, and runtime execution.

2. Architectural Position

In modern AI-assisted development, RIGOR introduces a Constraint Layer that operates between human intention and runtime execution:

graph TD
    A[Human Intent] --> B[Rigor Specification / Constraint Contract]
    B --> C[AI Generation]
    C --> D[Structural Validation]
    D --> E[Runtime Execution]

The protocol does not generate implementation or execute processes; it defines and enforces structural boundaries through validation before execution.

3. Core Normative Components

The RIGOR protocol is composed of five mandatory components:

3.1 Intent Domain

Defines the formally allowed structural space. It includes valid states, permitted events, explicit transitions, and version boundaries. Anything outside this domain is structurally invalid.

3.2 Constraint Contract

A machine-verifiable specification instance (the Spec). It describes state definitions, transition mappings, version classification rules, and migration constraints. Once validated for a given version, the contract is immutable.

3.3 Generation Boundary

Defines the interface between AI output and structural validation. AI generation is permitted only within declared boundaries. No implicit transitions or undeclared structural elements are allowed.

3.4 Validation Engine (Conceptual Role)

The engine evaluates structural compliance and confirms deterministic transitions. It does not execute business logic; its sole purpose is to enforce structural legality. Execution without prior validation violates the protocol.

3.5 Evolution Layer

Defines how structural changes are classified. Every change must be explicitly categorized as Compatible, Conditional, or Breaking. Silent structural evolution is prohibited.

4. Protocol Invariants

The following properties are non-negotiable for any RIGOR-compliant system:

• Deterministic Transition: Given a State + Event + Version, the result must be a single valid transition or a typed structural violation. No ambiguity is permitted.
• Explicitness: All transitions must be declared. Implicit behavior violates the protocol.
• Validation Precedence: Validation must always precede execution. If validation fails, execution must not occur.
• Evolution Classification: All structural changes must be version-typed. Unclassified evolution invalidates compatibility guarantees.

5. Structural Validation Flow

The protocol requires a two-step validation lifecycle:

1. Pre-generation Validation: Verification of the Specification (Constraint Contract) itself.
2. Post-generation Structural Validation: Verification that the generated code/implementation adheres strictly to the validated specification.

Failure at either stage invalidates the process.

6. Structural Boundedness

RIGOR introduces the property of Structural Boundedness: a system cannot evolve beyond its declared structural domain without an explicit version rupture. This ensures traceable evolution, predictable migration, and deterministic compatibility.

7. Separation of Concerns

The protocol enforces formal separation between four distinct layers:

1. Language Definition (The RIGOR DSL).
2. Specification Instance (The specific Constraint Contract).
3. Validation Mechanism (The Engine's validation logic).
4. Execution Runtime (The actual system implementation).

No layer may implicitly assume the structural behavior of another; all coupling must be explicit and declared.