# Relative Architecture Protocol v1.1

> The Language of Hierarchical Systems: Space. Rules. Dynamics. Diagnostics.
> A protocol for observing, diagnosing, and navigating hierarchical systems through 4 axes, 12 dimensions, and 5 discrete phase levels.

## Version
- Protocol: 1.1
- Spec compatibility: 1.0
- Release: https://github.com/Relative-Arch/protocol/releases/tag/v1.1

## License
- Machine-readable specs (JSON, YAML, MD): MIT — see /LICENSE-MIT
- Book text, narrative, examples: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — see /LICENSE-BOOK

## Canonical Specification Files

### Core
- Context and rationale: /spec/context-v1.1.md
- Diagnostic atlas (60 criteria): /atlas/atlas.json
- Atlas JSON schema: /atlas/atlas.schema.json
- Formalized rules: /spec/rules-v1.1.yaml
- Glossary (60 terms): /spec/glossary-v1.1.json
- Golden dataset (5 examples): /spec/golden-dataset.json

### For Humans
- Book PDF v1.1: See Academy or GitHub Release v1.1
- Changelog: /CHANGELOG.md

## Quick Reference

### Four Axes
- Z — Identity (Language, Agency, Vision)
- Y — Quality (Embeddedness, Adaptation, Innovation)
- X — Connections (Breadth, Depth, Density)
- W — Resources (Share, Resilience, Duration)

### Five Levels (Phase States)
0 = Absence | 1 = Formal structure | 2 = Development | 3 = Stable state | 4 = Self-reproduction

### Key Rules
- Spread ≤ 1 → synchronized. Spread ≥ 2 → desynchronized, priority to lagging.
- Z, Y, X = action field. W = result field. Do not manage W directly.
- Small steps maintain. Events transition. Catalyst = small step in pre-critical system.
- Weak link determines ceiling. Minimum defines reality, not mean.
- Presumption of unconfirmed: no observable event → no level confirmed.

### Transition Pattern
Z → Y/X → W. Identity first. Resources last. Observed regularity, not recommendation.

## For AI Agents
Before diagnosing or designing interventions, read /spec/context-v1.1.md and /spec/constraints.md. Both are mandatory. All rules derive from structural properties described there. Do not deviate from constraints.

### Agent Prompts
- Mandatory constraints: /spec/constraints.md
- Snapshot diagnostic prompt: /spec/prompts/snapshot.md
- Trajectory analysis prompt: /spec/prompts/trajectory.md
- Intervention design prompt: /spec/prompts/intervention.md