cascade
Three levels of propagation: internal (within the change), external (binding: seed, site, nodes), emergent (discoveries during propagation). Activate after every significant modification.
Cascade — Three-Level Propagation
When something changes, three things happen:
- The change matures within itself (internal)
- The change propagates where it must (external)
- During propagation, new possibilities emerge (emergent)
Level 1 — Internal Cascade
Before propagating, the change must mature.
Questions to ask:
- Is this a semi-duplicate of something else? → Unify or distinguish
- Does it make something obsolete? → Update or remove the old
- Does it open new possibilities? → Note as emergent, don't implement yet
- Is a tool maturing into an entity? → Evaluate if full automation is warranted
- Do existing skills/hooks need updating? → Update descriptions, triggers, evals
- Is the system's self-description still correct? → Update instruction files
Level 2 — External Cascade (binding)
The change must arrive where it needs to. These are mandatory.
Function/skill/hook created or modified
├─ In the seed? → neutral version, zero specific references
├─ On the site? → spec to the responsible node
├─ Config files? → update references
├─ Other nodes? → message via collaboration channel
├─ Shared rules? → if applicable to all nodes
├─ Local memory? → update memory files
└─ Settings? → if it's a hook, verify registration
Corrections:
Correction received
├─ Executable rule (when X → do Y)
├─ Local memory → update
├─ Seed kernel? → if universal
├─ Other nodes? → if cross-node
└─ /auto-learn → activate
Level 3 — Emergent Cascade
During propagation, reading files to evaluate where to propagate, you may discover:
- Refinements: the file you're reading suggests an improvement
- Maturation: a script becoming a skill, a skill becoming an autonomous entity
- Unification: two things that did almost the same thing merge
- New entities: combining existing functions produces something new
- Logic refinements: the system can automate more at that point
These are NOT implemented immediately. Note them as potential and evaluate after the current cascade is complete. Otherwise: infinite cascade.
Rule: complete the current cascade, then return to the emergents.
The three levels feed each other
Internal → External → Emergent → (new) Internal
The cascade is a cycle. But each round must complete before the next.
Quick checklist
Internal:
- Is it a duplicate? Unify
- Does it make something obsolete? Update
- Do existing skills/hooks need adjustment?
External:
- Does the seed need this (neutral version)?
- Does a config file need updating?
- Do other nodes need to know?
- Is local memory updated?
Emergent:
- Did I notice something during propagation? Note it, don't implement now.
Boot knowledge — two levels
The system has two levels of knowledge:
- What you must know — loaded in memory, read at boot. The modus, anti-patterns, current direction. Small, essential.
- Where to find it — pointers. Don't load the full architecture at boot. Know it exists and where to find it when needed.
The memory index (MEMORY.md or equivalent) should clearly separate these two levels.