---
title: "OCTAVE v6.0.0 Specification Review"
date: 2026-01-02
reviewer: Claude Opus 4.5
status: complete
scope: Comprehensive comparison against historical versions
context: GREENFIELD - no existing users, no backwards compatibility required
---

# OCTAVE Specification Historical Review

## Executive Summary

OCTAVE v6.0.0 represents a significant maturation of the format, with clear operator precedence, explicit mode distinction (DATA vs SCHEMA), and production-ready implementation. However, the spec omits valuable content from earlier versions that would improve user adoption and completeness.

**Context:** This is a greenfield project with no existing users. Historical versions are reference material only - there are no backwards compatibility constraints.

**Key Findings:**
- v6.0.0 is technically rigorous but lacks onboarding material
- Several useful features from older specs are undocumented (design decisions needed)
- Compression tier rules are specified but not implemented

---

## Version Evolution Summary

| Era | Versions | Primary Focus |
|-----|----------|---------------|
| Human-Readable | 1.0-2.1 | Mythological mapping for technical communication |
| LLM-Optimized | 3.0 | Token efficiency, ultra-compact notation |
| Protocol Formalization | 4.0 (archive) | Strict envelope, validation regex, artifacts |
| Balanced Hybrid | 4.0-5.4 (thymos) | Multiple representation formats |
| Implementation-Ready | 6.0.0 (current) | Parseable spec with precedence rules |

---

## What v6.0.0 Does Well

### 1. Formal Operator Specification
The precedence table in §2 is a major improvement:
```
PREC::UNICODE::ASCII::SEMANTIC::USAGE::ASSOC
1    []       []     container   [a,b,c]           n/a
2    ⧺        ~      concat      A⧺B               left
3    ⊕        +      synthesis   A⊕B               left
4    ⇌        vs     tension     A⇌B               none
5    ∧        &      constraint  [A∧B∧C]           left
6    ∨        |      alternative A∨B               left
7    →        ->     flow        A→B→C             right
```

### 2. Clear Mode Distinction
DATA mode vs SCHEMA mode are explicitly separated with different bracket rules and nesting constraints.

### 3. Implementation Tracking
META fields like `IMPLEMENTATION::IMPLEMENTED` and `IMPLEMENTATION_REF` provide transparency about what's actually built.

### 4. Lexer Rules
§2b defines critical parsing behavior (longest match, NFC normalization, ASCII boundaries).

### 5. Canonical Examples
§7 provides concrete, parseable patterns for both DATA and SCHEMA modes.

---

## Missing From v6.0.0 (Found in Older Specs)

### Priority 1: Critical for Adoption

#### 1.1 Implementation Tiers (from thymos OCTAVE.md 1.0.0)
Old specs defined graduated complexity levels:
- **Tier 1 (Simple)**: Basic status reporting
- **Tier 2 (Standard)**: Multiple components with relationships
- **Tier 3 (Complex)**: Multi-component with events and patterns
- **Tier 4 (Advanced)**: Cross-domain transformations

**Recommendation:** Add implementation tiers to octave-data-spec.oct.md

#### 1.2 "When NOT to Use OCTAVE" Section (from thymos OCTAVE.md 1.0.0)
Previously documented anti-patterns:
- Simple tasks with minimal structured data
- Environments where human editing is frequent
- Systems requiring strict schema validation (ironic given SCHEMA mode)
- Low-complexity or rigid systems

**Recommendation:** Add explicit non-use-cases to prevent misapplication

#### 1.3 Quick Start / Creation Guide (from thymos OCTAVE.md 1.0.0)
Step-by-step process that existed:
1. Define Purpose
2. Create Definitions Section
3. Establish System State
4. Organize by Domains
5. Document Components
6. Add Events
7. Define Relationships
8. Validate Document

**Recommendation:** Create separate quick-start guide or add to data spec

#### 1.4 Validation Checklist (from thymos OCTAVE.md 1.0.0)
Simple checklist:
```
✓ Definitions section at document start
✓ All patterns defined
✓ Components have metrics and status
✓ Arrow notation used consistently
✓ Relationship chains connect components
✓ Domain sections have clear boundaries
```

**Recommendation:** Add validation checklist to core spec

### Priority 2: Valuable Additions

#### 2.1 JSON Interoperability Format (from v4.0, OCTAVE_PROTOCOL)
Multiple specs defined JSON mapping:
```json
{
  "domain": {
    "name": "Zeus's Realm",
    "category": "Compute",
    "components": [...]
  }
}
```

**Status in v6.0:** Not mentioned. Critical for tooling integration.

#### 2.2 Confidence Scores (from v5.0-6.0 thymos)
```
PTN:OLYMPIAN-CASCADE[0.97]
REL:DB-IDX→DB-P→N1→USR[0.95]
```

**Status in v6.0:** Completely absent from current spec

#### 2.3 Delta Updates (from v3.0)
```
CTX:REF-123
DELTA:N3.CPU=94→97%,DB-P.LAT=350→412ms
NEW:USR.IMP=SEV
```

**Status in v6.0:** Not mentioned

#### 2.4 Component Aliasing Rules (from v3.0, v4.0)
How to establish and reference aliases:
- First reference uses full path with alias in parentheses
- Subsequent references use alias only
- Standard aliases: N1, DB-P, APP, USR

**Status in v6.0:** Implicit in examples but not formalized

#### 2.5 Mythological Pattern Library
Patterns defined in older specs:
- OLYMPIAN-CASCADE: Multiple systems failing in sequence
- ICARUS-FLIGHT: Resource escalation then collapse
- SISYPHEAN-CYCLE: Recurring issues with temporary fixes
- ATLAS-STRAIN: Infrastructure struggling
- HERMES-DELAY: Communication pathways slowing
- PROMETHEUS-BOUND: Healing attempts causing suffering
- CHARYBDIS-VORTEX: Resource drain spiraling

**Status in v6.0:** Only mentioned in comment, no definitions

#### 2.6 Domain-Specific Templates (from v2.0, v4.0)
- System Monitoring Template
- Pattern Recognition Template
- Implementation Template

**Status in v6.0:** Not included

### Priority 3: Nice to Have

#### 3.1 Inline Map Format (from archive specs)
```
{{key:value, key2:value2}}  // single colon inside
```

**Status in v6.0:** Not mentioned (DATA mode uses [k::v,k2::v2])

#### 3.2 Multiline String Specification (from v1.0 archive)
```
DESCRIPTION::"""
  Line one
  Line two (indent preserved)
"""
```

**Status in v6.0:** Not specified

#### 3.3 Ultra-Compact Alternative (from v5.0-5.4 thymos)
```
CMP:db.primary=CRIT;CPU=[65→82→94%];LAT=[12→78→325ms]
```

**Status in v6.0:** Not mentioned

#### 3.4 Hybrid/Narrative Integration (from thymos OCTAVE.md 1.0.0)
Mixing prose with structure:
```
## Core Identity
This role facilitates boundary crossings.

framework.translation (HRM):
  PRINCIPLES=[meaning→recognition]
```

**Status in v6.0:** Not addressed

---

## Inconsistencies and Clarifications Needed

### 1. File Extension Ambiguity
- Old specs: `.octave.txt`
- Current: `.oct.md` (from extensions list, but not explicitly stated)

**Recommendation:** Clarify canonical extension

### 2. Compression Tier Implementation Gap
The data spec §1b defines LOSSLESS/CONSERVATIVE/AGGRESSIVE/ULTRA tiers with rules, but `IMPLEMENTATION_NOTES` explicitly states: "compression tier selection is not implemented in the server."

This creates a spec-implementation mismatch.

### 3. ASSEMBLY Rules Clarity
Core §1 mentions:
```
ASSEMBLY::when_profiles_concatenated[core+schema+data]→only_final_===END===_terminates
```

But doesn't explain when/why profiles would be concatenated.

### 4. Block Inheritance Pattern
The SCHEMA example shows:
```
BLOCK_INHERITANCE_PATTERN:
  RISKS[→§RISK_LOG]:
    CRITICAL::[...]
```

The `[→§TARGET]` on a block key needs more explanation.

---

## Adoption Barriers

### For New Users

1. **No gentle introduction** - Immediately faced with operator precedence tables
2. **No working example documents** - Only inline snippets
3. **Split specification** - Must read two files to understand basics
4. **SCHEMA mode complexity** - Holographic containers are advanced

### For Tool Builders

1. **No formal grammar** (BNF/EBNF)
2. **No test vectors** for parser validation
3. **No JSON schema** for validation

---

## Recommendations (Greenfield Priority)

Since this is greenfield, recommendations are prioritized by value to new adopters, not migration concerns.

### Immediate: Spec Completeness

| # | Item | Action | Location |
|---|------|--------|----------|
| 1 | File extension | Specify `.oct.md` as canonical | core spec §1 |
| 2 | Validation checklist | Add simple checklist | core spec §6 |
| 3 | ASSEMBLY rules | Clarify with example | core spec §1 |
| 4 | Block inheritance | Document `[→§TARGET]` pattern | core spec §5 |

### Near-Term: Adoption Material

| # | Item | Action | Deliverable |
|---|------|--------|-------------|
| 5 | Quick start guide | Create minimal examples + when to use/not use | `docs/octave-quick-start.md` |
| 6 | Implementation tiers | Add Simple→Standard→Complex→Advanced | data spec §1 |
| 7 | Pattern library | Define or explicitly omit mythological patterns | data spec (new section) |

### Design Decisions Required

These features existed in old specs. Decision needed: adopt, modify, or explicitly omit.

| Feature | Old Behavior | Decision Needed |
|---------|--------------|-----------------|
| Confidence scores | `PTN:NAME[0.95]` | Include in v6.0? |
| Delta updates | `DELTA:` / `CTX:REF-123` | Include in v6.0? |
| Component aliasing | Formal rules for `(ALIAS)` | Formalize or leave implicit? |
| Ultra-compact format | `CMP:` single-line | Include in v6.0? |
| JSON mapping | Interop schema | Define or defer? |

### Longer-Term: Tooling

| # | Item | Purpose |
|---|------|---------|
| 8 | Formal grammar (BNF/EBNF) | Parser implementers |
| 9 | JSON schema | Tooling integration |
| 10 | Test vector suite | Parser compliance |

---

## Files Reviewed

### Current v6.0.0
- `src/octave_mcp/resources/specs/octave-core-spec.oct.md` (159 lines)
- `src/octave_mcp/resources/specs/octave-data-spec.oct.md` (131 lines)

### Archive (octave-mcp)
- `_archive/specs/octave-4.oct.md`
- `_archive/specs/octave-syntax-v1.oct.md.archive`
- `_archive/specs/octave-syntax-v2.oct.md.archive`
- `_archive/specs/octave-syntax-v3.oct.md.archive`

### Thymos Versions
- `OCTAVE_1.0.md` through `OCTAVE-5.4.md` (11 files)
- `OCTAVE.md` (comprehensive 1.0.0 spec)

### Protocol Docs
- `OCTAVE_PROTOCOL.octave_prime.txt` (V1.1.0 Universal)
- `TCP.octave_prime.txt` / `TCP-future-principles.octave_prime.txt`

---

## Conclusion

OCTAVE v6.0.0 is a technically sound specification with clear implementation in the codebase. For a greenfield project, the main gaps are:

1. **Onboarding material** (quick start, tiers) - critical for adoption
2. **Design decisions** on historical features (confidence scores, patterns, aliases)
3. **Formal grammar and test vectors** - for tool builders

The bones are good. The documentation needs flesh.

---

## Appendix: Review Prompt

To review and implement these recommendations in depth, use the following prompt:

```
I need to review and implement the OCTAVE v6.0.0 spec improvements identified in
docs/octave-spec-historical-review.md. This is a greenfield project with no existing users.

Please work through the following systematically:

## PHASE 1: Immediate Spec Completeness

For each item, read the relevant spec section and propose concrete changes:

1. **File extension** (core spec §1)
   - Review: src/octave_mcp/resources/specs/octave-core-spec.oct.md
   - Add explicit statement that `.oct.md` is the canonical extension

2. **Validation checklist** (core spec §6)
   - Review: src/octave_mcp/resources/specs/octave-core-spec.oct.md NEVER section
   - Add a simple validation checklist based on the one from thymos OCTAVE.md

3. **ASSEMBLY rules** (core spec §1)
   - Review: src/octave_mcp/resources/specs/octave-core-spec.oct.md ENVELOPE section
   - Clarify when/why profiles are concatenated with a concrete example

4. **Block inheritance** (core spec §5)
   - Review: src/octave_mcp/resources/specs/octave-core-spec.oct.md SCHEMA section
   - Document the `[→§TARGET]` pattern on block keys

## PHASE 2: Design Decisions

For each feature, I need a recommendation with rationale:

1. **Confidence scores** - Should `PTN:NAME[0.95]` syntax be included?
   - Pro: Useful for uncertainty representation
   - Con: Adds complexity, not currently implemented

2. **Delta updates** - Should `DELTA:` / `CTX:REF-123` be included?
   - Pro: Efficient for incremental communication
   - Con: Adds state management complexity

3. **Component aliasing** - Formalize `(ALIAS)` rules or leave implicit?
   - Current: Examples show it but no formal rules

4. **Ultra-compact format** - Include `CMP:` single-line format?
   - Pro: Maximum token efficiency
   - Con: Reduces readability, adds parsing complexity

5. **Mythological patterns** - Include pattern library or explicitly omit?
   - Options: Include definitions, reference external doc, or state "user-defined only"

## PHASE 3: Adoption Material

Create `docs/octave-quick-start.md` with:
- Minimal viable DATA mode document
- Minimal viable SCHEMA mode document
- Step-by-step creation guide
- "When to use OCTAVE" and "When NOT to use OCTAVE" sections
- Link to full specs for details

## PHASE 4: Implementation Tiers

Add to src/octave_mcp/resources/specs/octave-data-spec.oct.md:
- Tier 1 (Simple): Single section, basic key::value
- Tier 2 (Standard): Multiple sections with relationships
- Tier 3 (Complex): Full document with patterns and constraints
- Tier 4 (Advanced): SCHEMA mode with holographic containers

For each phase, show me the proposed changes before applying them.
Commit each phase separately with appropriate commit messages.
```
