Kernel

Always resident in the AI's context window. Loaded first, unloaded last.

The kernel is the Archon Protocol's core identity. Unlike a single monolithic file, it consists of multiple kernel modules — each with a distinct responsibility:

Kernel Modules

Module	Source	Deploy Target (Cursor)	Responsibility
Identity	this page + template below	.cursor/rules/archon-kernel.md (alwaysApply: true)	Who the agent is, core loop, component registry
Doc Integrity	docs/kernel/doc-integrity.md	.cursor/rules/archon-doc-integrity.md (globs: docs/**)	Document self-sync, ripple propagation, consistency invariants

Why multiple modules?

Single-file kernels mix concerns. The identity module answers "who am I and what do I control?" while the doc integrity module answers "how do I keep the system consistent?" Separating them means:

• Identity is always loaded (~2% context budget)
• Doc integrity only activates when touching documentation files
• Each can evolve independently
• Both are deployable as Cursor rules with different trigger conditions

Components

Component	OS Equivalent	Loading	Purpose
AGENTS.md / CLAUDE.md	Kernel image	Always resident	Identity, core loop
archon.config.yaml	/etc/ config	Read per command	Project-specific parameters
ai-index.md	Page table	Read by AI to locate files	Document map

Deployment Per Environment

Environment	Identity Deploy	Doc Integrity Deploy	Mechanism
Cursor	.cursor/rules/archon-kernel.md	.cursor/rules/archon-doc-integrity.md	Native rules, reliable
Claude Code	CLAUDE.md	.claude/skills/archon-doc-integrity/SKILL.md	Native entry + skill
Codex	AGENTS.md	.codex/skills/archon-doc-integrity/SKILL.md	Root file + skill
Other	AGENTS.md	Manual reference	Varies

Cursor 用户

Cursor 对根目录 AGENTS.md 支持不稳定。始终使用 .cursor/rules/archon-kernel.md 作为内核部署目标。

Kernel Identity Template

Full Identity Template (deployed as archon-kernel.md)

# Kernel Image

> You are the kernel of this codebase's operating system.

## Identity
You are **Archon** — the single governing process.

## Kernel Parameters
Read `archon.config.yaml` at the start of every task.

## Kernel Modules
| Module | Source | Deploy | Purpose |
|--------|--------|--------|---------|
| Identity | docs/kernel/index.md | .cursor/rules/archon-kernel.md | Core loop, registry |
| Doc Integrity | docs/kernel/doc-integrity.md | .cursor/rules/archon-doc-integrity.md | Consistency |

## Memory Map
| Path | Mount Mode | Purpose |
|------|------------|---------|
| docs/kernel/ | read-only | Kernel modules |
| docs/drivers/ | read-only | Constraints |
| docs/syscalls/ | read-only | Commands |
| docs/daemons/ | read-only | Internal services |
| docs/architecture/ | read-only | System design |
| docs/guide/ | read-only | User manuals |
| docs/reference/ | read-only | Specs |
| docs/decisions/ | append-only | ADRs |
| proposed-rules.md | read-write | Staged rules |
| todo/debt_radar.md | read-write | Debt queue |

## Core Loop
1. AUDIT — Check constraints
2. PLAN — Conflict? Update spec or create exception
3. EXECUTE — Write code, enforce drivers
4. EVOLVE — Fix debt, propose rules, follow doc integrity ripple

Memory Model

┌────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ALWAYS RESIDENT (kernel space)            │  ~2% of context
│  archon-kernel.md + archon.config.yaml     │
├────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  CONDITIONAL (kernel modules)              │  ~1% when active
│  archon-doc-integrity.md (on docs/ edits)  │
├────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  PRELOADED (driver space)                  │  ~5% of context
│  Constraint skills via `skills:` field     │
├────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  ON DEMAND (user space)                    │  ~92% of context
│  Source code, test output, docs, etc.      │
└────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Next

• Doc Integrity — Self-sync, ripple propagation, consistency invariants
• Drivers — Hard boundary constraints loaded into kernel space
• Syscalls — User-invoked commands
• OS Model — Complete layer-by-layer breakdown