# Lazarus Forge — Components Taxonomy

> Purpose: Define what a Forge must have to operate safely and truthfully (Critical), versus what amplifies capability, efficiency, or autonomy (Useful).  
> This supports v0–v3 navigation, honest self-assessment, and bootstrap planning — especially for pre-G.E.C.K. or "hard way" starts.

**Bootstrap Doctrine**  
Before G.E.C.K. seeds or mature Forges are available, bootstrap from pure salvage. Prioritize:  
- Salvage-derived proxies over new procurement  
- Fewer materials, not fewer measurements  
- Preserve all failures aggressively for learning  
- Energy draw must support positive value/kWh KPI from day one  
- Human discernment closes early loops — no silent failures allowed  

Once G.E.C.K.-style seeds propagate, this taxonomy becomes reference for low-tech paths, repairs, or deliberate minimalism.

**Merge/Override Note**  
Candidate for unification or override by geck_forge_seed.md once seeds mature. This doc remains useful for bootstrappers wanting the hard way.

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## Definitions

**Critical Components**  
Absence prevents safe operation, learning, or truthful output. Without these, the system is not a Lazarus Forge.

**Useful Components**  
Increase throughput, resilience, autonomy, or scope. Absence limits but does not invalidate the Forge.

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## I. Critical Components (Non-Negotiable for Bootstrap v0)

1. **Material Intake & Reduction**  
   - Scrap reduction tools (cutting, crushing, shredding — salvage from power tools, manual anvil/hammer)  
   - Powderization method (mill, blender proxy, atomization equivalent)  
   - Particle size classification (sieves, manual sorting trays)  
   - Inert handling proxy (sealed containers, basic purging from salvaged CO₂/fire-suppressant)  
   **Why critical**: Uncontrolled feedstock causes unknown/silent failure inheritance.

2. **Atmosphere Control**  
   - Controlled build chamber (DIY sealed box/glove bag)  
   - O₂ monitoring proxy (salvaged sensors, chemical indicators)  
   - Inert gas supply proxy (recycled cartridges, low-volume purge)  
   **Why critical**: Oxidation is silent corruption, especially for reactive metals.

3. **Metal Additive Manufacturing / Fabrication Core**  
   - Open-parameter deposition/joining system (MIG/TIG from salvaged wire feeders, manual welding, or basic CNC proxy)  
   - Stable energy source (salvaged PSU/transformer)  
   - Repeatable motion (salvaged motors, rails, belts)  
   **Why critical**: Closed/black-box systems block learning and lineage tracing.

4. **Thermal Processing**  
   - Heat treatment furnace (salvaged kiln, propane torch with control)  
   - Controlled cooldown/quench (manual or basic fans)  
   - Thermal logging (salvaged thermocouples + simple recorder)  
   **Why critical**: Printed ≠ finished; thermal history defines artifact truth.

5. **Metrology & Verification**  
   - Dimensional measurement (calipers, salvaged scanner proxy)  
   - Mass measurement (precision scale)  
   - Surface inspection (magnifier/optical proxy)  
   - Basic mechanical verification (hardness file test or proxy)  
   **Why critical**: Discernment requires detecting "almost right" vs. failure.

6. **Artifact Memory & Data Spine**  
   - Local compute (salvaged SBC/laptop)  
   - Durable storage (SD/USB + backups)  
   - Artifact ID system (physical tags ↔ digital binding)  
   - Versioned records + failure retention (never auto-delete)  
   **Why critical**: No memory → resurrection collapses to repetition. Captures utilization/runtime/failure data to feed upstream triage/learning.

7. **Human Override & Discernment Interface**  
   - Manual abort/override controls  
   - Parameter bounds with operator authority  
   - Failure annotation capability  
   **Why critical**: Early loops are human-taught; automation infers later.

**Energy Note for All Critical**: Log draw per subsystem (target total <500 W bootstrap); maintain Forge KPI >1 (value recovered per kWh). See energy_v0.md.

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## II. Useful Components (Capability Multipliers)

A. **Automation & Handling** — Robotic arms, end-effectors, powder recycling loops  
B. **Advanced Sensing** — Melt-pool, acoustic, in-process optical  
C. **Material Characterization** — XRF/LIBS (partner access), particle analysis  
D. **Energy Infrastructure** — UPS/batteries (salvaged), waste-heat recovery, conditioning  
E. **Network & Collaboration** — Secure data sharing, failure signature exchange  
F. **Environmental Hardening** (v2+) — Vacuum/radiation/thermal tolerance  

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## III. Version Mapping (Quick Reference)

- **v0**: I.1–I.7 minimally satisfied via salvage proxies (single material focus)  
- **v1**: Steel-class + closed-loop recycling  
- **v2**: Multi-material + reduced human dependency + networking  
- **v3**: In-situ resources + off-world  

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## IV. Operating Principle

> A component is critical if its absence allows silent failure or breaks the salvage-fabricate-utilize-learn loop.  
> Everything else is useful.

See Trajectories_LF.md for paths; Component_Triage_System.md for intake logic.

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## V. Notes for Builders

- Start with fewer materials, not fewer measurements  
- Preserve failures aggressively — they are the best teachers  
- Sell artifacts, not promises  
- Promote honestly by demonstrated capability age, not hype  

This document evolves only with proven capability. Amend sparingly.