Files
alknet/docs/architecture/README.md
glm-5.1 6219a323b6 docs(architecture): untangle TLS identity use cases, remove phase framing, add ADR-013 Rust canonical + agent crate
- Rewrite OQ-12: separate two distinct TLS identity use cases (RFC 7250
  raw keys as default for P2P, X.509 for domain-hosted/browsers) instead
  of conflating them as 'file paths now, ACME later'. ACME is a proven
  pattern from the reverse-proxy project, not speculative future work.

- Resolve OQ-13 and OQ-14: remove 'Phase 1' framing from core crate
  specs. /{service}/{op} is the correct design for alknet-call, not a
  simplification. Batch as correlated call.requested events is the correct
  protocol design. Core crates need to be done right from the start.

- Add ADR-013: Rust as canonical implementation language. TypeScript
  @alkdev/operations is a reference that informed the design, not a
  parallel implementation. The only JS use case is browser SDK adaptation.
  Five reasons: memory safety, LLM competence, supply chain attacks,
  performance, browser-only JS.

- Add alknet-agent crate to the crate graph (depends on alknet-call, not
  alknet-core). Agent service uses call protocol client for tool dispatch
  and vault/derive for provider keys — no env vars for secrets. ALPN
  alknet/agent added to the registry.

- Add OQ-15: call protocol client and adapter contract. alknet-call needs
  both server (CallAdapter) and client (remote invocation over QUIC), plus
  the adapter traits (from_*, to_*) that enable composition.

- Clarify alknet-napi as thin NAPI projection layer, not business logic.

- Fix bugs: ProtocolController → ProtocolHandler typo, OperationEnv
  invoke() path format inconsistency, RateLimitConfig comment confusion.

- Update endpoint.md TLS section: comprehensive identity model comparison
  table, RFC 7250 as default mode, ACME as proven pattern.
2026-06-17 09:32:44 +00:00

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---
status: draft
last_updated: 2026-06-17
---
# Alknet Architecture
## Current State
**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 (001013) 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), and Rust as canonical implementation language (ADR-013). The alknet-core and alknet-call crate specs are in draft.
**Next step**: Review alknet-call spec documents, then begin implementation. OQ-11 (handler-level auth resolution observability) will be resolved during implementation.
## Architecture Documents
| Document | Status | Description |
|----------|--------|-------------|
| [overview.md](overview.md) | draft | Workspace-level overview, crate graph, shared types, design principles |
| [open-questions.md](open-questions.md) | draft | Centralized OQ tracker with door-type classifications |
| [crates/core/README.md](crates/core/README.md) | draft | alknet-core crate index |
| [crates/core/core-types.md](crates/core/core-types.md) | draft | ProtocolHandler, HandlerError, Connection, BiStream, StreamError |
| [crates/core/endpoint.md](crates/core/endpoint.md) | draft | ALPN router, HandlerRegistry, accept loop, shutdown |
| [crates/core/auth.md](crates/core/auth.md) | draft | AuthContext, Identity, IdentityProvider, AuthToken, resolution flow |
| [crates/core/config.md](crates/core/config.md) | draft | StaticConfig, DynamicConfig, ArcSwap, ConfigReloadHandle |
| [crates/call/README.md](crates/call/README.md) | draft | alknet-call crate index |
| [crates/call/call-protocol.md](crates/call/call-protocol.md) | draft | CallAdapter, EventEnvelope framing, stream model, PendingRequestMap, bidirectional calls |
| [crates/call/operation-registry.md](crates/call/operation-registry.md) | draft | OperationSpec, Handler, OperationRegistry, AccessControl, service discovery, irpc integration |
## ADR Table
| ADR | Title | Status |
|-----|-------|--------|
| [001](decisions/001-alpn-protocol-dispatch.md) | ALPN-Based Protocol Dispatch | Accepted |
| [002](decisions/002-protocol-handler-trait.md) | ProtocolHandler Trait | Accepted |
| [003](decisions/003-crate-decomposition.md) | Crate Decomposition | Accepted |
| [004](decisions/004-auth-as-shared-core.md) | Auth as Shared Core (IdentityProvider) | Accepted |
| [005](decisions/005-irpc-as-call-protocol-foundation.md) | irpc as Call Protocol Foundation | Accepted |
| [006](decisions/006-alpn-convention-and-connection-model.md) | ALPN String Convention and Connection Model | Accepted |
| [007](decisions/007-bistream-type-definition.md) | BiStream Type Definition | Accepted |
| [008](decisions/008-secret-service-integration.md) | Vault Integration Point | Accepted |
| [009](decisions/009-one-way-door-decision-framework.md) | One-Way Door Decision Framework | Accepted |
| [010](decisions/010-alpn-router-and-endpoint.md) | ALPN Router and Endpoint | Accepted |
| [011](decisions/011-authcontext-structure.md) | AuthContext Structure and Resolution Flow | Accepted |
| [012](decisions/012-call-protocol-stream-model.md) | Call Protocol Stream Model | Accepted |
| [013](decisions/013-rust-canonical-implementation.md) | Rust as Canonical Implementation Language | Accepted |
## Open Questions
See [open-questions.md](open-questions.md) for the full tracker.
**Resolved one-way doors:**
- **OQ-01**: BiStream type — trait with Connection parameter (ADR-007)
- **OQ-02**: AuthContext timing — hybrid model (ADR-004)
- **OQ-03**: ALPN naming — `alknet/` prefix, no version (ADR-006)
- **OQ-05**: Multi-connectivity endpoint — quinn + iroh, both feature-gated (ADR-010)
- **OQ-06**: ALPN per connection, not per stream (ADR-006)
- **OQ-08**: Vault integration — CLI-embedded via call protocol (ADR-008)
**Resolved two-way doors:**
- **OQ-04**: Dynamic handler registration — static at startup (ADR-010)
- **OQ-07**: Call protocol scope — bidirectional streams, EventEnvelope, ID-based correlation (ADR-012)
- **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.
- **OQ-13**: Operation path format — `/{service}/{op}` is the correct design for alknet-call, not a simplification
- **OQ-14**: Batch operation semantics — multiple correlated `call.requested` events is the correct protocol design, not a simplification
**Open two-way doors (resolved during implementation):**
- **OQ-11**: Handler-level auth resolution observability — decide during implementation
**Open one-way doors (need ADR before implementation):**
- **OQ-15**: Call protocol client and adapter contract — alknet-call needs both the server (CallAdapter) and client (call invocation over QUIC), plus the adapter contract traits (from_*, to_*) that enable composition
**Deferred (not active):**
- **OQ-09**: WASM target boundaries — design constraint, not deliverable
- **OQ-10**: Git adapter scope — start with smart protocol, add ERC721 later
## Document Lifecycle
| Status | Meaning | Transitions |
|--------|---------|-------------|
| `draft` | Under active development. May change significantly. | → `reviewed` when open questions are resolved |
| `reviewed` | Architecture is final. Implementation may begin. Changes require review. | → `stable` when implementation is complete and verified |
| `stable` | Locked. Changes require review and may warrant an ADR. | → `deprecated` when superseded |
| `deprecated` | Superseded. Kept for reference. | Removed when no longer referenced |
## References
- Pivot proposal: `docs/research/pivot/alpn-service-architecture.md`
- Cleanup plan: `docs/research/pivot/cleanup-plan.md`
- SDD process: `docs/sdd_process.md`
- Reference implementation: `/workspace/@alkdev/alknet-main/`