Concepts
The irreducible epistemic atoms underlying the curriculum. 4,828 atoms across 8 types
Agent triggers must be observable or measurable — vague…
Define agent triggers as observable external events or measurable internal states rather than subjective feelings or abstract conditions, because vague triggers cannot be recognized reliably when they occur.
Write agent actions as procedures a stranger could follow…
Write agent action steps as specific ordered procedures rather than aspirations or principles, requiring sufficient granularity that someone unfamiliar could execute them without clarification.
Apply the camera test to triggers — if a camera can't…
Design triggers using the camera test: if a video camera could not detect the exact moment the trigger fires, the trigger is too vague to fire reliably and must be replaced with an observable event.
Express error budgets as numbers with time windows — '2…
Express error budgets as time-bounded numeric thresholds (e.g., 'two missed sessions per week' or '30 minutes downtime per month') rather than vague intentions, and track consumption against the budget as a first-class metric.
Define values so an observer could predict your behavior…
Define each abstract value with operational specificity by writing one to three sentences that would enable an observer to predict your behavior in concrete situations, not dictionary definitions.
Name one behavior this week that demonstrates each value…
For each articulated value, specify one concrete behavior you will perform this week that demonstrates the value—if you cannot name the behavior, the articulation lacks operational specificity and needs revision.
A commitment contract needs five elements
Write commitment contracts with all five structural elements (behavior, schedule, completion criteria, duration, signature) and treat any commitment missing one or more elements as a preference rather than a binding commitment.
Commitment thresholds must be binary — 'done' or 'not…
Specify commitment thresholds as clear boundaries that separate 'done' from 'not done' without requiring interpretation, eliminating the space for rationalized partial compliance.