glm-5.2
c0a322ac29
OQ-11 (handler-level auth observability): Option B — handlers store resolved identity on Connection via set_identity. Two identity scopes: connection-level (observability, write-once-read-many) and per-request (ACL, on OperationContext). Per-request takes precedence for ACL; connection-level is for logging/audit only. OQ-19 (session-scoped registries): Protocol doesn't need changes. OperationEnv must remain a trait (not concrete) to enable session-overlay pattern. Three-tier registry: core (static, External+Internal), session (dynamic, Internal-only), promotion (curated review). Documented as implementation guard in operation-registry.md. All 19 open questions are now resolved. No open one-way or two-way doors remain. The architecture is ready for review and implementation.
96 lines
7.2 KiB
Markdown
96 lines
7.2 KiB
Markdown
---
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status: draft
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last_updated: 2026-06-21
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---
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# Alknet Architecture
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## Current State
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**Pre-implementation.** The project has completed a pivot from a three-layer model to an ALPN-as-service model. The greenfield workspace contains only `alknet-vault` (stable) and research/reference material. Foundational ADRs (001–017) are in place, including the BiStream type definition (ADR-007), vault integration (ADR-008), ALPN router/endpoint (ADR-010), AuthContext structure (ADR-011), call protocol stream model (ADR-012), Rust as canonical implementation language (ADR-013), secret material flow with capability injection (ADR-014), privilege model with authority context (ADR-015), abort cascade for nested calls (ADR-016), and call protocol client and adapter contract (ADR-017). The alknet-core and alknet-call crate specs are in draft.
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**Next step**: Review alknet-call spec documents, then begin implementation. All open questions are resolved.
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## Architecture Documents
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| Document | Status | Description |
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|----------|--------|-------------|
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| [overview.md](overview.md) | draft | Workspace-level overview, crate graph, shared types, design principles |
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| [open-questions.md](open-questions.md) | draft | Centralized OQ tracker with door-type classifications |
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| [crates/core/README.md](crates/core/README.md) | draft | alknet-core crate index |
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| [crates/core/core-types.md](crates/core/core-types.md) | draft | ProtocolHandler, HandlerError, Connection, BiStream, StreamError |
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| [crates/core/endpoint.md](crates/core/endpoint.md) | draft | ALPN router, HandlerRegistry, accept loop, shutdown |
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| [crates/core/auth.md](crates/core/auth.md) | draft | AuthContext, Identity, IdentityProvider, AuthToken, resolution flow |
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| [crates/core/config.md](crates/core/config.md) | draft | StaticConfig, DynamicConfig, ArcSwap, ConfigReloadHandle |
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| [crates/call/README.md](crates/call/README.md) | draft | alknet-call crate index |
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| [crates/call/call-protocol.md](crates/call/call-protocol.md) | draft | CallAdapter, EventEnvelope framing, stream model, PendingRequestMap, bidirectional calls, streaming subscribe example |
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| [crates/call/operation-registry.md](crates/call/operation-registry.md) | draft | OperationSpec, Handler, OperationRegistry, AccessControl, capability injection, service discovery, irpc integration |
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## ADR Table
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| ADR | Title | Status |
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|-----|-------|--------|
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| [001](decisions/001-alpn-protocol-dispatch.md) | ALPN-Based Protocol Dispatch | Accepted |
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| [002](decisions/002-protocol-handler-trait.md) | ProtocolHandler Trait | Accepted |
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| [003](decisions/003-crate-decomposition.md) | Crate Decomposition | Accepted |
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| [004](decisions/004-auth-as-shared-core.md) | Auth as Shared Core (IdentityProvider) | Accepted |
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| [005](decisions/005-irpc-as-call-protocol-foundation.md) | irpc as Call Protocol Foundation | Accepted |
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| [006](decisions/006-alpn-convention-and-connection-model.md) | ALPN String Convention and Connection Model | Accepted |
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| [007](decisions/007-bistream-type-definition.md) | BiStream Type Definition | Accepted |
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| [008](decisions/008-secret-service-integration.md) | Vault Integration Point | Accepted |
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| [009](decisions/009-one-way-door-decision-framework.md) | One-Way Door Decision Framework | Accepted |
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| [010](decisions/010-alpn-router-and-endpoint.md) | ALPN Router and Endpoint | Accepted |
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| [011](decisions/011-authcontext-structure.md) | AuthContext Structure and Resolution Flow | Accepted |
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| [012](decisions/012-call-protocol-stream-model.md) | Call Protocol Stream Model | Accepted |
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| [013](decisions/013-rust-canonical-implementation.md) | Rust as Canonical Implementation Language | Accepted |
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| [014](decisions/014-secret-material-flow-and-capability-injection.md) | Secret Material Flow and Capability Injection | Accepted |
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| [015](decisions/015-privilege-model-and-authority-context.md) | Privilege Model and Authority Context | Accepted |
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| [016](decisions/016-abort-cascade-for-nested-calls.md) | Abort Cascade for Nested Calls | Accepted |
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| [017](decisions/017-call-protocol-client-and-adapter-contract.md) | Call Protocol Client and Adapter Contract | Accepted |
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## Open Questions
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See [open-questions.md](open-questions.md) for the full tracker.
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**Resolved one-way doors:**
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- **OQ-01**: BiStream type — trait with Connection parameter (ADR-007)
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- **OQ-02**: AuthContext timing — hybrid model (ADR-004)
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- **OQ-03**: ALPN naming — `alknet/` prefix, no version (ADR-006)
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- **OQ-05**: Multi-connectivity endpoint — quinn + iroh, both feature-gated (ADR-010)
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- **OQ-06**: ALPN per connection, not per stream (ADR-006)
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- **OQ-08**: Vault integration — CLI-embedded, assembly-layer only (ADR-008, ADR-014)
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- **OQ-16**: Safe vault operations for call protocol exposure — none for now (ADR-014)
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- **OQ-18**: Privilege model — `internal` = authority switch, External/Internal visibility, handler identity + scoped env (ADR-015)
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- **OQ-17**: Abort cascade — `call.aborted` cascades to descendants; default `abort-dependents`, `continue-running` opt-in (ADR-016)
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- **OQ-15**: Call protocol client and adapter contract — `CallClient` opens connections; `from_call` imports remote ops; connection direction independent of call direction (ADR-017)
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**Resolved two-way doors:**
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- **OQ-04**: Dynamic handler registration — static at startup (ADR-010)
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- **OQ-07**: Call protocol scope — bidirectional streams, EventEnvelope, ID-based correlation (ADR-012)
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- **OQ-11**: Handler-level auth resolution observability — handlers store resolved identity on Connection (Option B); two identity scopes: connection-level (observability) and per-request (ACL)
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- **OQ-12**: TLS identity provisioning — two use cases: RFC 7250 raw keys (default, P2P) and X.509 certs (domain-hosted, browsers). ACME is a proven pattern.
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- **OQ-13**: Operation path format — `/{service}/{op}` is the correct design for alknet-call, not a simplification
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- **OQ-14**: Batch operation semantics — multiple correlated `call.requested` events is the correct protocol design, not a simplification
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- **OQ-19**: Session-scoped registries — agent-written operations via `OperationEnv` trait layering; protocol doesn't need changes; `OperationEnv` must remain a trait
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**Deferred (not active):**
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- **OQ-09**: WASM target boundaries — design constraint, not deliverable
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- **OQ-10**: Git adapter scope — start with smart protocol, add ERC721 later
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**All open questions are resolved.** No open one-way or two-way doors remain. The architecture is ready for review.
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## Document Lifecycle
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| Status | Meaning | Transitions |
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|--------|---------|-------------|
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| `draft` | Under active development. May change significantly. | → `reviewed` when open questions are resolved |
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| `reviewed` | Architecture is final. Implementation may begin. Changes require review. | → `stable` when implementation is complete and verified |
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| `stable` | Locked. Changes require review and may warrant an ADR. | → `deprecated` when superseded |
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| `deprecated` | Superseded. Kept for reference. | Removed when no longer referenced |
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## References
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- Pivot proposal: `docs/research/pivot/alpn-service-architecture.md`
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- Cleanup plan: `docs/research/pivot/cleanup-plan.md`
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- SDD process: `docs/sdd_process.md`
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- Reference implementation: `/workspace/@alkdev/alknet-main/` |