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ietf-draft-analyzer/workspace/drafts/gap-analysis/draft-nennemann-agent-consensus-00.html
Christian Nennemann 2506b6325a
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<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en" class="Internet-Draft">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<meta content="Common,Latin" name="scripts">
<meta content="initial-scale=1.0" name="viewport">
<title>Multi-Agent Consensus and Capability Negotiation Protocols</title>
<meta content="Christian Nennemann" name="author">
<meta content="
This document defines standardized protocols for multiple AI agents to
reach consensus on shared decisions and negotiate capabilities dynamically
during runtime collaboration. As autonomous agent systems increasingly
operate in multi-agent configurations, the need for formal agreement
mechanisms and capability discovery becomes critical. This specification
addresses the lack of consensus protocols and capability negotiation
standards identified in the gap analysis for AI agent infrastructure.
" name="description">
<meta content="xml2rfc 3.31.0" name="generator">
<meta content="draft-nennemann-agent-consensus-00" name="ietf.draft">
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NOTE: Changes at the bottom of this file overrides some earlier settings.
Once the style has stabilized and has been adopted as an official RFC style,
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<body class="xml2rfc">
<table class="ears">
<thead><tr>
<td class="left">Internet-Draft</td>
<td class="center">Agent Consensus</td>
<td class="right">March 2026</td>
</tr></thead>
<tfoot><tr>
<td class="left">Nennemann</td>
<td class="center">Expires 7 September 2026</td>
<td class="right">[Page]</td>
</tr></tfoot>
</table>
<div id="external-metadata" class="document-information"></div>
<div id="internal-metadata" class="document-information">
<dl id="identifiers">
<dt class="label-workgroup">Workgroup:</dt>
<dd class="workgroup">NMOP</dd>
<dt class="label-internet-draft">Internet-Draft:</dt>
<dd class="internet-draft">draft-nennemann-agent-consensus-00</dd>
<dt class="label-published">Published:</dt>
<dd class="published">
<time datetime="2026-03-06" class="published">6 March 2026</time>
</dd>
<dt class="label-intended-status">Intended Status:</dt>
<dd class="intended-status">Standards Track</dd>
<dt class="label-expires">Expires:</dt>
<dd class="expires"><time datetime="2026-09-07">7 September 2026</time></dd>
<dt class="label-authors">Author:</dt>
<dd class="authors">
<div class="author">
<div class="author-name">C. Nennemann</div>
<div class="org">Independent Researcher</div>
</div>
</dd>
</dl>
</div>
<h1 id="title">Multi-Agent Consensus and Capability Negotiation Protocols</h1>
<section id="section-abstract">
<h2 id="abstract"><a href="#abstract" class="selfRef">Abstract</a></h2>
<p id="section-abstract-1">This document defines standardized protocols for multiple AI agents to
reach consensus on shared decisions and negotiate capabilities dynamically
during runtime collaboration. As autonomous agent systems increasingly
operate in multi-agent configurations, the need for formal agreement
mechanisms and capability discovery becomes critical. This specification
addresses the lack of consensus protocols and capability negotiation
standards identified in the gap analysis for AI agent infrastructure.<a href="#section-abstract-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
<div id="status-of-memo">
<section id="section-boilerplate.1">
<h2 id="name-status-of-this-memo">
<a href="#name-status-of-this-memo" class="section-name selfRef">Status of This Memo</a>
</h2>
<p id="section-boilerplate.1-1">
This Internet-Draft is submitted in full conformance with the
provisions of BCP 78 and BCP 79.<a href="#section-boilerplate.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-boilerplate.1-2">
Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering Task
Force (IETF). Note that other groups may also distribute working
documents as Internet-Drafts. The list of current Internet-Drafts is
at <span><a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/drafts/current/">https://datatracker.ietf.org/drafts/current/</a></span>.<a href="#section-boilerplate.1-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
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Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any
time. It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference
material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."<a href="#section-boilerplate.1-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-boilerplate.1-4">
This Internet-Draft will expire on 7 September 2026.<a href="#section-boilerplate.1-4" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="copyright">
<section id="section-boilerplate.2">
<h2 id="name-copyright-notice">
<a href="#name-copyright-notice" class="section-name selfRef">Copyright Notice</a>
</h2>
<p id="section-boilerplate.2-1">
Copyright (c) 2026 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
document authors. All rights reserved.<a href="#section-boilerplate.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-boilerplate.2-2">
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
Provisions Relating to IETF Documents
(<span><a href="https://trustee.ietf.org/license-info">https://trustee.ietf.org/license-info</a></span>) in effect on the date of
publication of this document. Please review these documents
carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with
respect to this document. Code Components extracted from this
document must include Revised BSD License text as described in
Section 4.e of the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without
warranty as described in the Revised BSD License.<a href="#section-boilerplate.2-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="toc">
<section id="section-toc.1">
<a href="#" onclick="scroll(0,0)" class="toplink"></a><h2 id="name-table-of-contents">
<a href="#name-table-of-contents" class="section-name selfRef">Table of Contents</a>
</h2>
<nav class="toc"><ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.1.1" class="keepWithNext"><a href="#section-1" class="auto internal xref">1</a>.  <a href="#name-introduction" class="internal xref">Introduction</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.2.1" class="keepWithNext"><a href="#section-2" class="auto internal xref">2</a>.  <a href="#name-terminology" class="internal xref">Terminology</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.1"><a href="#section-3" class="auto internal xref">3</a>.  <a href="#name-consensus-protocols" class="internal xref">Consensus Protocols</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.1.1" class="keepWithNext"><a href="#section-3.1" class="auto internal xref">3.1</a>.  <a href="#name-consensus-model-overview" class="internal xref">Consensus Model Overview</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.2.1"><a href="#section-3.2" class="auto internal xref">3.2</a>.  <a href="#name-consensus-mechanisms" class="internal xref">Consensus Mechanisms</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.2.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.2.2.1.1"><a href="#section-3.2.1" class="auto internal xref">3.2.1</a>.  <a href="#name-simple-majority-voting" class="internal xref">Simple Majority Voting</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.2.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.2.2.2.1"><a href="#section-3.2.2" class="auto internal xref">3.2.2</a>.  <a href="#name-weighted-consensus" class="internal xref">Weighted Consensus</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.2.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.2.2.3.1"><a href="#section-3.2.3" class="auto internal xref">3.2.3</a>.  <a href="#name-leader-based-consensus" class="internal xref">Leader-Based Consensus</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.2.2.4">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.2.2.4.1"><a href="#section-3.2.4" class="auto internal xref">3.2.4</a>.  <a href="#name-optimistic-consensus" class="internal xref">Optimistic Consensus</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.3.1"><a href="#section-3.3" class="auto internal xref">3.3</a>.  <a href="#name-consensus-message-format" class="internal xref">Consensus Message Format</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.3.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.3.2.1.1"><a href="#section-3.3.1" class="auto internal xref">3.3.1</a>.  <a href="#name-proposal-message-structure" class="internal xref">Proposal Message Structure</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.3.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.3.2.2.1"><a href="#section-3.3.2" class="auto internal xref">3.3.2</a>.  <a href="#name-vote-message-structure" class="internal xref">Vote Message Structure</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.3.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.3.2.3.1"><a href="#section-3.3.3" class="auto internal xref">3.3.3</a>.  <a href="#name-commit-and-abort-signals" class="internal xref">Commit and Abort Signals</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.4">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.4.1"><a href="#section-3.4" class="auto internal xref">3.4</a>.  <a href="#name-quorum-and-timeout-rules" class="internal xref">Quorum and Timeout Rules</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.4.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.4.2.1.1"><a href="#section-3.4.1" class="auto internal xref">3.4.1</a>.  <a href="#name-quorum-calculation" class="internal xref">Quorum Calculation</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.4.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.4.2.2.1"><a href="#section-3.4.2" class="auto internal xref">3.4.2</a>.  <a href="#name-timeout-semantics-and-fallb" class="internal xref">Timeout Semantics and Fallback Behavior</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.4.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.4.2.3.1"><a href="#section-3.4.3" class="auto internal xref">3.4.3</a>.  <a href="#name-split-brain-prevention" class="internal xref">Split-Brain Prevention</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.5">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.5.1"><a href="#section-3.5" class="auto internal xref">3.5</a>.  <a href="#name-conflict-resolution" class="internal xref">Conflict Resolution</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.5.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.5.2.1.1"><a href="#section-3.5.1" class="auto internal xref">3.5.1</a>.  <a href="#name-priority-based-resolution" class="internal xref">Priority-Based Resolution</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.5.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.5.2.2.1"><a href="#section-3.5.2" class="auto internal xref">3.5.2</a>.  <a href="#name-escalation-to-human-operato" class="internal xref">Escalation to Human Operator</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.5.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.5.2.3.1"><a href="#section-3.5.3" class="auto internal xref">3.5.3</a>.  <a href="#name-deadlock-detection-and-brea" class="internal xref">Deadlock Detection and Breaking</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.1"><a href="#section-4" class="auto internal xref">4</a>.  <a href="#name-capability-negotiation" class="internal xref">Capability Negotiation</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.1.1"><a href="#section-4.1" class="auto internal xref">4.1</a>.  <a href="#name-capability-advertisement-fo" class="internal xref">Capability Advertisement Format</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.1.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.1.2.1.1"><a href="#section-4.1.1" class="auto internal xref">4.1.1</a>.  <a href="#name-extending-agent-discovery-w" class="internal xref">Extending Agent Discovery with Capability Descriptors</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.1.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.1.2.2.1"><a href="#section-4.1.2" class="auto internal xref">4.1.2</a>.  <a href="#name-capability-categories" class="internal xref">Capability Categories</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.1.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.1.2.3.1"><a href="#section-4.1.3" class="auto internal xref">4.1.3</a>.  <a href="#name-version-and-compatibility-m" class="internal xref">Version and Compatibility Metadata</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.2.1"><a href="#section-4.2" class="auto internal xref">4.2</a>.  <a href="#name-dynamic-negotiation-protoco" class="internal xref">Dynamic Negotiation Protocol</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.2.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.2.2.1.1"><a href="#section-4.2.1" class="auto internal xref">4.2.1</a>.  <a href="#name-negotiation-initiation-and-" class="internal xref">Negotiation Initiation and Session Management</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.2.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.2.2.2.1"><a href="#section-4.2.2" class="auto internal xref">4.2.2</a>.  <a href="#name-offer-counter-offer-exchang" class="internal xref">Offer/Counter-Offer Exchange</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.2.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.2.2.3.1"><a href="#section-4.2.3" class="auto internal xref">4.2.3</a>.  <a href="#name-acceptance-and-binding" class="internal xref">Acceptance and Binding</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.2.2.4">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.2.2.4.1"><a href="#section-4.2.4" class="auto internal xref">4.2.4</a>.  <a href="#name-re-negotiation-during-runti" class="internal xref">Re-Negotiation During Runtime</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.3.1"><a href="#section-4.3" class="auto internal xref">4.3</a>.  <a href="#name-capability-registry" class="internal xref">Capability Registry</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.3.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.3.2.1.1"><a href="#section-4.3.1" class="auto internal xref">4.3.1</a>.  <a href="#name-well-known-capability-types" class="internal xref">Well-Known Capability Types</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.3.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.3.2.2.1"><a href="#section-4.3.2" class="auto internal xref">4.3.2</a>.  <a href="#name-extension-mechanism-for-cus" class="internal xref">Extension Mechanism for Custom Capabilities</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.5">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.5.1"><a href="#section-5" class="auto internal xref">5</a>.  <a href="#name-ect-integration" class="internal xref">ECT Integration</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.5.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.5.2.1.1"><a href="#section-5.1" class="auto internal xref">5.1</a>.  <a href="#name-consensus-evidence-in-ect-n" class="internal xref">Consensus Evidence in ECT Nodes</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.5.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.5.2.2.1"><a href="#section-5.2" class="auto internal xref">5.2</a>.  <a href="#name-capability-negotiation-reco" class="internal xref">Capability Negotiation Records in ECT</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.6">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.6.1"><a href="#section-6" class="auto internal xref">6</a>.  <a href="#name-security-considerations" class="internal xref">Security Considerations</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.6.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.6.2.1.1"><a href="#section-6.1" class="auto internal xref">6.1</a>.  <a href="#name-sybil-resistance" class="internal xref">Sybil Resistance</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.6.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.6.2.2.1"><a href="#section-6.2" class="auto internal xref">6.2</a>.  <a href="#name-byzantine-fault-tolerance-c" class="internal xref">Byzantine Fault Tolerance Considerations</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.6.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.6.2.3.1"><a href="#section-6.3" class="auto internal xref">6.3</a>.  <a href="#name-capability-spoofing" class="internal xref">Capability Spoofing</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.6.2.4">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.6.2.4.1"><a href="#section-6.4" class="auto internal xref">6.4</a>.  <a href="#name-coercion-and-collusion-dete" class="internal xref">Coercion and Collusion Detection</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.7">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.7.1"><a href="#section-7" class="auto internal xref">7</a>.  <a href="#name-iana-considerations" class="internal xref">IANA Considerations</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.7.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.7.2.1.1"><a href="#section-7.1" class="auto internal xref">7.1</a>.  <a href="#name-consensus-exec_act-values" class="internal xref">Consensus exec_act Values</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.7.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.7.2.2.1"><a href="#section-7.2" class="auto internal xref">7.2</a>.  <a href="#name-capability-type-registry" class="internal xref">Capability Type Registry</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.8">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.8.1"><a href="#section-8" class="auto internal xref">8</a>.  <a href="#name-references" class="internal xref">References</a></p>
<ul class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty">
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.8.2.1">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.8.2.1.1"><a href="#section-8.1" class="auto internal xref">8.1</a>.  <a href="#name-normative-references" class="internal xref">Normative References</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.8.2.2">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.8.2.2.1"><a href="#section-8.2" class="auto internal xref">8.2</a>.  <a href="#name-informative-references" class="internal xref">Informative References</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.9">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.9.1"><a href="#appendix-A" class="auto internal xref"></a><a href="#name-acknowledgments" class="internal xref">Acknowledgments</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.10">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.10.1"><a href="#appendix-B" class="auto internal xref"></a><a href="#name-authors-address" class="internal xref">Author's Address</a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</nav>
</section>
</div>
<div id="introduction">
<section id="section-1">
<h2 id="name-introduction">
<a href="#section-1" class="section-number selfRef">1. </a><a href="#name-introduction" class="section-name selfRef">Introduction</a>
</h2>
<p id="section-1-1">When multiple AI agents collaborate on shared tasks such as network
management, resource allocation, or policy enforcement, they must
frequently agree on joint decisions. Currently, no standardized protocol
exists for agents to propose actions, vote on alternatives, reach
quorum, or handle disagreements.<a href="#section-1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-1-2">This document addresses Gap 3 (Multi-Agent Consensus) and Gap 10
(Capability Negotiation) from the gap analysis <span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-agent-gap-analysis" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-agent-gap-analysis</a>]</span>.
Gap 3 identifies the absence of formal consensus mechanisms for
multi-agent coordination, while Gap 10 highlights the lack of dynamic
capability negotiation during runtime collaboration.<a href="#section-1-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-1-3">The protocols defined here enable agents to:<a href="#section-1-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-1-4.1">
<p id="section-1-4.1.1">Propose actions and gather votes from participating agents.<a href="#section-1-4.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-1-4.2">
<p id="section-1-4.2.1">Reach agreement using multiple consensus mechanisms suited to
different operational contexts.<a href="#section-1-4.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-1-4.3">
<p id="section-1-4.3.1">Advertise, discover, and negotiate capabilities dynamically.<a href="#section-1-4.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-1-4.4">
<p id="section-1-4.4.1">Record consensus and negotiation outcomes in verifiable
evidence chains via the Execution Chain Trace (ECT)
framework <span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect</a>]</span>.<a href="#section-1-4.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="section-1-5">The human-in-the-loop override protocol defined in
<span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety</a>]</span> serves as the ultimate
escalation path when consensus cannot be reached or when decisions
exceed agent authority.<a href="#section-1-5" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="terminology">
<section id="section-2">
<h2 id="name-terminology">
<a href="#section-2" class="section-number selfRef">2. </a><a href="#name-terminology" class="section-name selfRef">Terminology</a>
</h2>
<p id="section-2-1">The key words "<span class="bcp14">MUST</span>", "<span class="bcp14">MUST NOT</span>", "<span class="bcp14">REQUIRED</span>", "<span class="bcp14">SHALL</span>", "<span class="bcp14">SHALL NOT</span>", "<span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span>", "<span class="bcp14">SHOULD NOT</span>", "<span class="bcp14">RECOMMENDED</span>", "<span class="bcp14">NOT RECOMMENDED</span>",
"<span class="bcp14">MAY</span>", and "<span class="bcp14">OPTIONAL</span>" in this document are to be interpreted as
described in BCP 14 <span>[<a href="#RFC2119" class="cite xref">RFC2119</a>]</span> <span>[<a href="#RFC8174" class="cite xref">RFC8174</a>]</span> when, and only when, they
appear in all capitals, as shown here.<a href="#section-2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-2-2">The following terms are used throughout this document:<a href="#section-2-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span class="break"></span><dl class="dlParallel" id="section-2-3">
<dt id="section-2-3.1">Consensus Round:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-3.2">
<p id="section-2-3.2.1">A bounded period during which agents exchange proposals and votes
to reach agreement on a specific decision.<a href="#section-2-3.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-3.3">Quorum:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-3.4">
<p id="section-2-3.4.1">The minimum number of participating agents required for a consensus
round to produce a valid outcome.<a href="#section-2-3.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-3.5">Proposal:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-3.6">
<p id="section-2-3.6.1">A structured message submitted by an agent that describes a
candidate action or decision for group consideration.<a href="#section-2-3.6.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-3.7">Vote:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-3.8">
<p id="section-2-3.8.1">A response to a proposal indicating approval, rejection, or
abstention, optionally accompanied by a rationale.<a href="#section-2-3.8.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-3.9">Leader Agent:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-3.10">
<p id="section-2-3.10.1">An agent designated as the coordinator for a consensus round,
responsible for collecting votes and declaring outcomes.<a href="#section-2-3.10.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-3.11">Capability Advertisement:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-3.12">
<p id="section-2-3.12.1">A structured declaration by an agent of the capabilities it offers
to other agents in a collaboration.<a href="#section-2-3.12.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-3.13">Capability Offer:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-3.14">
<p id="section-2-3.14.1">A message proposing the use of a specific capability under
defined terms during a negotiation session.<a href="#section-2-3.14.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-3.15">Capability Acceptance:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-3.16">
<p id="section-2-3.16.1">A binding confirmation that an agent agrees to the terms of a
capability offer.<a href="#section-2-3.16.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-3.17">Negotiation Session:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-3.18">
<p id="section-2-3.18.1">A bounded interaction between two or more agents for the purpose
of agreeing on capability usage terms.<a href="#section-2-3.18.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
</dl>
</section>
</div>
<div id="consensus-protocols">
<section id="section-3">
<h2 id="name-consensus-protocols">
<a href="#section-3" class="section-number selfRef">3. </a><a href="#name-consensus-protocols" class="section-name selfRef">Consensus Protocols</a>
</h2>
<div id="consensus-model-overview">
<section id="section-3.1">
<h3 id="name-consensus-model-overview">
<a href="#section-3.1" class="section-number selfRef">3.1. </a><a href="#name-consensus-model-overview" class="section-name selfRef">Consensus Model Overview</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-3.1-1">The consensus protocol follows a three-phase commit model: propose,
vote, and commit. The following diagram illustrates the message flow
for a typical consensus round.<a href="#section-3.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-consensus-round-message-flo"></span><div id="fig-consensus-flow">
<figure id="figure-1">
<div class="alignLeft art-ascii-art art-text artwork" id="section-3.1-2.1">
<pre>
Agent A Leader Agent B Agent C
| | | |
|--- Propose ----&gt;| | |
| |-- Vote Req ---&gt;| |
| |-- Vote Req ------------------&gt; |
| | | |
| |&lt;-- Vote -------| |
| |&lt;-- Vote ---------------------- |
| | | |
| |--- Tally &amp; Decide ----------&gt; |
|&lt;-- Commit ------| | |
| |-- Commit -----&gt;| |
| |-- Commit -------------------&gt; |
| | | |
</pre>
</div>
<figcaption><a href="#figure-1" class="selfRef">Figure 1</a>:
<a href="#name-consensus-round-message-flo" class="selfRef">Consensus Round Message Flow</a>
</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<ol start="1" type="1" class="normal type-1" id="section-3.1-3">
<li id="section-3.1-3.1">
<p id="section-3.1-3.1.1"><strong>Propose</strong>: An agent submits a proposal to the leader agent.<a href="#section-3.1-3.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-3.1-3.2">
<p id="section-3.1-3.2.1"><strong>Vote</strong>: The leader distributes the proposal to all participants
and collects votes within the timeout window.<a href="#section-3.1-3.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-3.1-3.3">
<p id="section-3.1-3.3.1"><strong>Commit/Abort</strong>: The leader evaluates votes against the quorum
and consensus mechanism rules, then issues a commit or abort
signal to all participants.<a href="#section-3.1-3.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ol>
</section>
</div>
<div id="consensus-mechanisms">
<section id="section-3.2">
<h3 id="name-consensus-mechanisms">
<a href="#section-3.2" class="section-number selfRef">3.2. </a><a href="#name-consensus-mechanisms" class="section-name selfRef">Consensus Mechanisms</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-3.2-1">This specification defines four consensus mechanisms. Implementations
<span class="bcp14">MUST</span> support simple majority voting and <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> support at least one
additional mechanism.<a href="#section-3.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<div id="simple-majority-voting">
<section id="section-3.2.1">
<h4 id="name-simple-majority-voting">
<a href="#section-3.2.1" class="section-number selfRef">3.2.1. </a><a href="#name-simple-majority-voting" class="section-name selfRef">Simple Majority Voting</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.2.1-1">A proposal is accepted if more than half of the votes received are
approvals. Abstentions do not count toward the total.<a href="#section-3.2.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.2.1-2.1">
<p id="section-3.2.1-2.1.1">Quorum: A minimum of ceil(N/2) votes must be received, where N
is the number of eligible voters.<a href="#section-3.2.1-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.2.1-2.2">
<p id="section-3.2.1-2.2.1">Ties result in rejection of the proposal.<a href="#section-3.2.1-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="weighted-consensus">
<section id="section-3.2.2">
<h4 id="name-weighted-consensus">
<a href="#section-3.2.2" class="section-number selfRef">3.2.2. </a><a href="#name-weighted-consensus" class="section-name selfRef">Weighted Consensus</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.2.2-1">Each agent is assigned a weight reflecting its trust score, domain
expertise, or capability level. A proposal is accepted if the sum
of approval weights exceeds a configured threshold (default: 50%
of total weight).<a href="#section-3.2.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.2.2-2.1">
<p id="section-3.2.2-2.1.1">Weights <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be distributed and agreed upon before the consensus
round begins.<a href="#section-3.2.2-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.2.2-2.2">
<p id="section-3.2.2-2.2.1">Weight assignments <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> be recorded in the ECT for
auditability.<a href="#section-3.2.2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="leader-based-consensus">
<section id="section-3.2.3">
<h4 id="name-leader-based-consensus">
<a href="#section-3.2.3" class="section-number selfRef">3.2.3. </a><a href="#name-leader-based-consensus" class="section-name selfRef">Leader-Based Consensus</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.2.3-1">A designated leader agent makes the final decision after soliciting
input from participants. Participant votes serve as advisory input
rather than binding decisions.<a href="#section-3.2.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.2.3-2.1">
<p id="section-3.2.3-2.1.1">The leader <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> provide a rationale when overriding participant
recommendations.<a href="#section-3.2.3-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.2.3-2.2">
<p id="section-3.2.3-2.2.1">Leader designation <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> rotate or be determined by a
higher-level policy.<a href="#section-3.2.3-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.2.3-2.3">
<p id="section-3.2.3-2.3.1">This mechanism is appropriate for time-critical decisions where
full consensus would introduce unacceptable delay.<a href="#section-3.2.3-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="optimistic-consensus">
<section id="section-3.2.4">
<h4 id="name-optimistic-consensus">
<a href="#section-3.2.4" class="section-number selfRef">3.2.4. </a><a href="#name-optimistic-consensus" class="section-name selfRef">Optimistic Consensus</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.2.4-1">A proposal is considered accepted unless an objection is raised
within the timeout window. This mechanism minimizes communication
overhead for routine decisions.<a href="#section-3.2.4-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.2.4-2.1">
<p id="section-3.2.4-2.1.1">Any single objection blocks the proposal.<a href="#section-3.2.4-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.2.4-2.2">
<p id="section-3.2.4-2.2.1">The objecting agent <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> provide a rationale.<a href="#section-3.2.4-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.2.4-2.3">
<p id="section-3.2.4-2.3.1">Optimistic consensus <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> only be used for low-risk,
reversible decisions.<a href="#section-3.2.4-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="consensus-message-format">
<section id="section-3.3">
<h3 id="name-consensus-message-format">
<a href="#section-3.3" class="section-number selfRef">3.3. </a><a href="#name-consensus-message-format" class="section-name selfRef">Consensus Message Format</a>
</h3>
<div id="proposal-message-structure">
<section id="section-3.3.1">
<h4 id="name-proposal-message-structure">
<a href="#section-3.3.1" class="section-number selfRef">3.3.1. </a><a href="#name-proposal-message-structure" class="section-name selfRef">Proposal Message Structure</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.3.1-1">A proposal message <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> contain the following fields:<a href="#section-3.3.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.1-2.1">
<p id="section-3.3.1-2.1.1"><strong>proposal_id</strong>: A globally unique identifier for the proposal
(UUID format).<a href="#section-3.3.1-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.1-2.2">
<p id="section-3.3.1-2.2.1"><strong>proposer</strong>: The identity of the proposing agent.<a href="#section-3.3.1-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.1-2.3">
<p id="section-3.3.1-2.3.1"><strong>consensus_round_id</strong>: Identifier for the consensus round.<a href="#section-3.3.1-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.1-2.4">
<p id="section-3.3.1-2.4.1"><strong>mechanism</strong>: The consensus mechanism to use (one of "majority",
"weighted", "leader", "optimistic").<a href="#section-3.3.1-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.1-2.5">
<p id="section-3.3.1-2.5.1"><strong>subject</strong>: A human-readable summary of the proposal.<a href="#section-3.3.1-2.5.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.1-2.6">
<p id="section-3.3.1-2.6.1"><strong>action</strong>: A structured description of the proposed action.<a href="#section-3.3.1-2.6.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.1-2.7">
<p id="section-3.3.1-2.7.1"><strong>timeout</strong>: The deadline for vote collection (as an absolute
timestamp per <span>[<a href="#RFC9110" class="cite xref">RFC9110</a>]</span> Section 5.6.7).<a href="#section-3.3.1-2.7.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.1-2.8">
<p id="section-3.3.1-2.8.1"><strong>quorum</strong>: The minimum number of votes required.<a href="#section-3.3.1-2.8.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.1-2.9">
<p id="section-3.3.1-2.9.1"><strong>participants</strong>: List of agent identifiers eligible to vote.<a href="#section-3.3.1-2.9.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="vote-message-structure">
<section id="section-3.3.2">
<h4 id="name-vote-message-structure">
<a href="#section-3.3.2" class="section-number selfRef">3.3.2. </a><a href="#name-vote-message-structure" class="section-name selfRef">Vote Message Structure</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.3.2-1">A vote message <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> contain the following fields:<a href="#section-3.3.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.2-2.1">
<p id="section-3.3.2-2.1.1"><strong>proposal_id</strong>: The identifier of the proposal being voted on.<a href="#section-3.3.2-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.2-2.2">
<p id="section-3.3.2-2.2.1"><strong>voter</strong>: The identity of the voting agent.<a href="#section-3.3.2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.2-2.3">
<p id="section-3.3.2-2.3.1"><strong>decision</strong>: One of "approve", "reject", or "abstain".<a href="#section-3.3.2-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.2-2.4">
<p id="section-3.3.2-2.4.1"><strong>rationale</strong>: A human-readable explanation for the vote
(<span class="bcp14">REQUIRED</span> for "reject", <span class="bcp14">OPTIONAL</span> for others).<a href="#section-3.3.2-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.2-2.5">
<p id="section-3.3.2-2.5.1"><strong>timestamp</strong>: The time the vote was cast.<a href="#section-3.3.2-2.5.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.2-2.6">
<p id="section-3.3.2-2.6.1"><strong>signature</strong>: A JWS <span>[<a href="#RFC7515" class="cite xref">RFC7515</a>]</span> signature over the vote content
for non-repudiation.<a href="#section-3.3.2-2.6.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="commit-and-abort-signals">
<section id="section-3.3.3">
<h4 id="name-commit-and-abort-signals">
<a href="#section-3.3.3" class="section-number selfRef">3.3.3. </a><a href="#name-commit-and-abort-signals" class="section-name selfRef">Commit and Abort Signals</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.3.3-1">After vote collection, the leader issues either a commit or abort
signal:<a href="#section-3.3.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.3-2.1">
<p id="section-3.3.3-2.1.1"><strong>Commit</strong>: Indicates the proposal was accepted. All participants
<span class="bcp14">MUST</span> execute the agreed action.<a href="#section-3.3.3-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.3.3-2.2">
<p id="section-3.3.3-2.2.1"><strong>Abort</strong>: Indicates the proposal was rejected. Participants <span class="bcp14">MUST NOT</span> execute the proposed action.<a href="#section-3.3.3-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="section-3.3.3-3">Both signals <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> include the proposal_id, the final tally, and a
JWS signature from the leader.<a href="#section-3.3.3-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="quorum-and-timeout-rules">
<section id="section-3.4">
<h3 id="name-quorum-and-timeout-rules">
<a href="#section-3.4" class="section-number selfRef">3.4. </a><a href="#name-quorum-and-timeout-rules" class="section-name selfRef">Quorum and Timeout Rules</a>
</h3>
<div id="quorum-calculation">
<section id="section-3.4.1">
<h4 id="name-quorum-calculation">
<a href="#section-3.4.1" class="section-number selfRef">3.4.1. </a><a href="#name-quorum-calculation" class="section-name selfRef">Quorum Calculation</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.4.1-1">The quorum for a consensus round is determined by the consensus
mechanism in use:<a href="#section-3.4.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.4.1-2.1">
<p id="section-3.4.1-2.1.1"><strong>Simple majority</strong>: ceil(N/2) where N is the number of
eligible voters.<a href="#section-3.4.1-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.4.1-2.2">
<p id="section-3.4.1-2.2.1"><strong>Weighted</strong>: Agents representing at least 50% of total weight
must participate.<a href="#section-3.4.1-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.4.1-2.3">
<p id="section-3.4.1-2.3.1"><strong>Leader-based</strong>: No quorum required; leader decides
independently.<a href="#section-3.4.1-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.4.1-2.4">
<p id="section-3.4.1-2.4.1"><strong>Optimistic</strong>: All eligible agents are considered participants;
silence counts as approval.<a href="#section-3.4.1-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="timeout-semantics-and-fallback-behavior">
<section id="section-3.4.2">
<h4 id="name-timeout-semantics-and-fallb">
<a href="#section-3.4.2" class="section-number selfRef">3.4.2. </a><a href="#name-timeout-semantics-and-fallb" class="section-name selfRef">Timeout Semantics and Fallback Behavior</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.4.2-1">Each consensus round <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> specify a timeout. If quorum is not
reached before the timeout:<a href="#section-3.4.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ol start="1" type="1" class="normal type-1" id="section-3.4.2-2">
<li id="section-3.4.2-2.1">
<p id="section-3.4.2-2.1.1">The leader <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> issue an abort signal.<a href="#section-3.4.2-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-3.4.2-2.2">
<p id="section-3.4.2-2.2.1">The proposing agent <span class="bcp14">MAY</span> re-submit the proposal with a longer
timeout or reduced quorum.<a href="#section-3.4.2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-3.4.2-2.3">
<p id="section-3.4.2-2.3.1">If the decision is time-critical, the leader <span class="bcp14">MAY</span> escalate to
a human operator via the override protocol defined in
<span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety</a>]</span>.<a href="#section-3.4.2-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p id="section-3.4.2-3">Implementations <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> use exponential backoff for re-submissions
with a maximum retry count of 3.<a href="#section-3.4.2-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="split-brain-prevention">
<section id="section-3.4.3">
<h4 id="name-split-brain-prevention">
<a href="#section-3.4.3" class="section-number selfRef">3.4.3. </a><a href="#name-split-brain-prevention" class="section-name selfRef">Split-Brain Prevention</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.4.3-1">In distributed deployments where network partitions may occur:<a href="#section-3.4.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.4.3-2.1">
<p id="section-3.4.3-2.1.1">A consensus round is valid only if the leader can verify
connectivity to a majority of participants.<a href="#section-3.4.3-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.4.3-2.2">
<p id="section-3.4.3-2.2.1">If a partition is detected, all in-progress consensus rounds
<span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be suspended until connectivity is restored.<a href="#section-3.4.3-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.4.3-2.3">
<p id="section-3.4.3-2.3.1">Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST NOT</span> accept commit signals from multiple leaders
for the same consensus round.<a href="#section-3.4.3-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="conflict-resolution">
<section id="section-3.5">
<h3 id="name-conflict-resolution">
<a href="#section-3.5" class="section-number selfRef">3.5. </a><a href="#name-conflict-resolution" class="section-name selfRef">Conflict Resolution</a>
</h3>
<div id="priority-based-resolution">
<section id="section-3.5.1">
<h4 id="name-priority-based-resolution">
<a href="#section-3.5.1" class="section-number selfRef">3.5.1. </a><a href="#name-priority-based-resolution" class="section-name selfRef">Priority-Based Resolution</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.5.1-1">When multiple competing proposals address the same resource or
decision:<a href="#section-3.5.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.5.1-2.1">
<p id="section-3.5.1-2.1.1">Proposals are ranked by a priority score derived from the
urgency of the decision, the authority level of the proposer,
and the specificity of the proposed action.<a href="#section-3.5.1-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.5.1-2.2">
<p id="section-3.5.1-2.2.1">Higher-priority proposals are evaluated first.<a href="#section-3.5.1-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.5.1-2.3">
<p id="section-3.5.1-2.3.1">Lower-priority proposals that conflict with an accepted
higher-priority proposal are automatically rejected.<a href="#section-3.5.1-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="escalation-to-human-operator">
<section id="section-3.5.2">
<h4 id="name-escalation-to-human-operato">
<a href="#section-3.5.2" class="section-number selfRef">3.5.2. </a><a href="#name-escalation-to-human-operato" class="section-name selfRef">Escalation to Human Operator</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.5.2-1">If consensus cannot be reached after the maximum number of retries,
or if agents are deadlocked:<a href="#section-3.5.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.5.2-2.1">
<p id="section-3.5.2-2.1.1">The leader <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> escalate to a human operator using the override
protocol defined in <span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety</a>]</span>.<a href="#section-3.5.2-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.5.2-2.2">
<p id="section-3.5.2-2.2.1">The escalation message <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> include the proposal, all votes
received, and the reason for escalation.<a href="#section-3.5.2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.5.2-2.3">
<p id="section-3.5.2-2.3.1">The human operator's decision is binding and <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be recorded
in the ECT.<a href="#section-3.5.2-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="deadlock-detection-and-breaking">
<section id="section-3.5.3">
<h4 id="name-deadlock-detection-and-brea">
<a href="#section-3.5.3" class="section-number selfRef">3.5.3. </a><a href="#name-deadlock-detection-and-brea" class="section-name selfRef">Deadlock Detection and Breaking</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.5.3-1">A deadlock exists when:<a href="#section-3.5.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-3.5.3-2.1">
<p id="section-3.5.3-2.1.1">Two or more proposals mutually block each other (circular
dependency).<a href="#section-3.5.3-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-3.5.3-2.2">
<p id="section-3.5.3-2.2.1">A consensus round cannot reach quorum due to persistent
abstentions or non-responsive agents.<a href="#section-3.5.3-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="section-3.5.3-3">Deadlock breaking strategies:<a href="#section-3.5.3-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ol start="1" type="1" class="normal type-1" id="section-3.5.3-4">
<li id="section-3.5.3-4.1">
<p id="section-3.5.3-4.1.1"><strong>Timeout-based</strong>: The oldest proposal takes precedence.<a href="#section-3.5.3-4.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-3.5.3-4.2">
<p id="section-3.5.3-4.2.1"><strong>Random selection</strong>: A verifiable random function selects
the winning proposal.<a href="#section-3.5.3-4.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-3.5.3-4.3">
<p id="section-3.5.3-4.3.1"><strong>Escalation</strong>: The deadlock is escalated to a human operator.<a href="#section-3.5.3-4.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p id="section-3.5.3-5">The leader <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> detect deadlocks within two consecutive failed
consensus rounds on related proposals.<a href="#section-3.5.3-5" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="capability-negotiation">
<section id="section-4">
<h2 id="name-capability-negotiation">
<a href="#section-4" class="section-number selfRef">4. </a><a href="#name-capability-negotiation" class="section-name selfRef">Capability Negotiation</a>
</h2>
<div id="capability-advertisement-format">
<section id="section-4.1">
<h3 id="name-capability-advertisement-fo">
<a href="#section-4.1" class="section-number selfRef">4.1. </a><a href="#name-capability-advertisement-fo" class="section-name selfRef">Capability Advertisement Format</a>
</h3>
<div id="extending-agent-discovery-with-capability-descriptors">
<section id="section-4.1.1">
<h4 id="name-extending-agent-discovery-w">
<a href="#section-4.1.1" class="section-number selfRef">4.1.1. </a><a href="#name-extending-agent-discovery-w" class="section-name selfRef">Extending Agent Discovery with Capability Descriptors</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.1.1-1">Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> advertise their capabilities using a structured
descriptor format. Capability advertisements extend the agent
discovery mechanism and <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> be published during agent
registration.<a href="#section-4.1.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-4.1.1-2">A capability descriptor <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> include:<a href="#section-4.1.1-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.1-3.1">
<p id="section-4.1.1-3.1.1"><strong>agent_id</strong>: The identity of the advertising agent.<a href="#section-4.1.1-3.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.1-3.2">
<p id="section-4.1.1-3.2.1"><strong>capabilities</strong>: An array of capability objects, each containing:<a href="#section-4.1.1-3.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.1-3.2.2.1">
<p id="section-4.1.1-3.2.2.1.1"><strong>type</strong>: The capability type from the capability registry
(see <a href="#capability-registry" class="auto internal xref">Section 4.3</a>).<a href="#section-4.1.1-3.2.2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.1-3.2.2.2">
<p id="section-4.1.1-3.2.2.2.1"><strong>version</strong>: The version of the capability implementation.<a href="#section-4.1.1-3.2.2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.1-3.2.2.3">
<p id="section-4.1.1-3.2.2.3.1"><strong>parameters</strong>: Capability-specific configuration parameters.<a href="#section-4.1.1-3.2.2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.1-3.2.2.4">
<p id="section-4.1.1-3.2.2.4.1"><strong>constraints</strong>: Limitations on capability usage (e.g., rate
limits, maximum payload size).<a href="#section-4.1.1-3.2.2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.1-3.2.2.5">
<p id="section-4.1.1-3.2.2.5.1"><strong>availability</strong>: Current availability status ("available",
"busy", "degraded", "unavailable").<a href="#section-4.1.1-3.2.2.5.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="capability-categories">
<section id="section-4.1.2">
<h4 id="name-capability-categories">
<a href="#section-4.1.2" class="section-number selfRef">4.1.2. </a><a href="#name-capability-categories" class="section-name selfRef">Capability Categories</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.1.2-1">Capabilities are organized into the following categories:<a href="#section-4.1.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.2-2.1">
<p id="section-4.1.2-2.1.1"><strong>Compute</strong>: Processing power, model inference, data
transformation.<a href="#section-4.1.2-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.2-2.2">
<p id="section-4.1.2-2.2.1"><strong>Knowledge</strong>: Domain expertise, access to knowledge bases,
training data coverage.<a href="#section-4.1.2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.2-2.3">
<p id="section-4.1.2-2.3.1"><strong>Tool Access</strong>: Integration with external tools, APIs, or
services.<a href="#section-4.1.2-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.2-2.4">
<p id="section-4.1.2-2.4.1"><strong>Authorization Scope</strong>: Permissions and access levels the agent
holds in various systems.<a href="#section-4.1.2-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="version-and-compatibility-metadata">
<section id="section-4.1.3">
<h4 id="name-version-and-compatibility-m">
<a href="#section-4.1.3" class="section-number selfRef">4.1.3. </a><a href="#name-version-and-compatibility-m" class="section-name selfRef">Version and Compatibility Metadata</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.1.3-1">Each capability advertisement <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> include version information
to enable compatibility checking:<a href="#section-4.1.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.3-2.1">
<p id="section-4.1.3-2.1.1"><strong>min_version</strong>: The minimum protocol version supported.<a href="#section-4.1.3-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.3-2.2">
<p id="section-4.1.3-2.2.1"><strong>max_version</strong>: The maximum protocol version supported.<a href="#section-4.1.3-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.3-2.3">
<p id="section-4.1.3-2.3.1"><strong>deprecated_versions</strong>: A list of versions that are supported
but deprecated.<a href="#section-4.1.3-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="section-4.1.3-3">Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> negotiate a mutually supported version before
initiating capability usage.<a href="#section-4.1.3-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="dynamic-negotiation-protocol">
<section id="section-4.2">
<h3 id="name-dynamic-negotiation-protoco">
<a href="#section-4.2" class="section-number selfRef">4.2. </a><a href="#name-dynamic-negotiation-protoco" class="section-name selfRef">Dynamic Negotiation Protocol</a>
</h3>
<div id="negotiation-initiation-and-session-management">
<section id="section-4.2.1">
<h4 id="name-negotiation-initiation-and-">
<a href="#section-4.2.1" class="section-number selfRef">4.2.1. </a><a href="#name-negotiation-initiation-and-" class="section-name selfRef">Negotiation Initiation and Session Management</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.2.1-1">A negotiation session is initiated when an agent requires a
capability that it does not possess but has identified in another
agent's advertisement.<a href="#section-4.2.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ol start="1" type="1" class="normal type-1" id="section-4.2.1-2">
<li id="section-4.2.1-2.1">
<p id="section-4.2.1-2.1.1">The initiating agent sends a <strong>Negotiation Request</strong> specifying
the desired capability type and parameters.<a href="#section-4.2.1-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-4.2.1-2.2">
<p id="section-4.2.1-2.2.1">The target agent responds with a <strong>Negotiation Response</strong>
indicating willingness to negotiate.<a href="#section-4.2.1-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-4.2.1-2.3">
<p id="section-4.2.1-2.3.1">A <strong>session_id</strong> is established for tracking the negotiation.<a href="#section-4.2.1-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p id="section-4.2.1-3">Sessions have a configurable timeout (default: 60 seconds) and
<span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be explicitly closed by either party.<a href="#section-4.2.1-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="offercounter-offer-exchange">
<section id="section-4.2.2">
<h4 id="name-offer-counter-offer-exchang">
<a href="#section-4.2.2" class="section-number selfRef">4.2.2. </a><a href="#name-offer-counter-offer-exchang" class="section-name selfRef">Offer/Counter-Offer Exchange</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.2.2-1">Once a session is established:<a href="#section-4.2.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ol start="1" type="1" class="normal type-1" id="section-4.2.2-2">
<li id="section-4.2.2-2.1">
<p id="section-4.2.2-2.1.1">The initiating agent sends a <strong>Capability Offer</strong> specifying
the desired terms of use (duration, rate limits, data handling
requirements).<a href="#section-4.2.2-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-4.2.2-2.2">
<p id="section-4.2.2-2.2.1">The target agent may respond with:<a href="#section-4.2.2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.2-2.2.2.1">
<p id="section-4.2.2-2.2.2.1.1"><strong>Accept</strong>: Agreement to the offered terms.<a href="#section-4.2.2-2.2.2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.2-2.2.2.2">
<p id="section-4.2.2-2.2.2.2.1"><strong>Counter-Offer</strong>: Modified terms for the initiator to
consider.<a href="#section-4.2.2-2.2.2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.2-2.2.2.3">
<p id="section-4.2.2-2.2.2.3.1"><strong>Reject</strong>: Refusal to provide the capability, with a
rationale.<a href="#section-4.2.2-2.2.2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li id="section-4.2.2-2.3">
<p id="section-4.2.2-2.3.1">Counter-offers may continue for a maximum of 5 rounds before
the negotiation <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be concluded or abandoned.<a href="#section-4.2.2-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ol>
</section>
</div>
<div id="acceptance-and-binding">
<section id="section-4.2.3">
<h4 id="name-acceptance-and-binding">
<a href="#section-4.2.3" class="section-number selfRef">4.2.3. </a><a href="#name-acceptance-and-binding" class="section-name selfRef">Acceptance and Binding</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.2.3-1">When both parties agree on terms:<a href="#section-4.2.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.3-2.1">
<p id="section-4.2.3-2.1.1">A <strong>Capability Agreement</strong> is created containing the final terms,
signed by both parties using JWS <span>[<a href="#RFC7515" class="cite xref">RFC7515</a>]</span>.<a href="#section-4.2.3-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.3-2.2">
<p id="section-4.2.3-2.2.1">The agreement includes a unique <strong>agreement_id</strong>, the agreed
capability parameters, duration, and any usage constraints.<a href="#section-4.2.3-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.3-2.3">
<p id="section-4.2.3-2.3.1">Both agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> honor the agreement until its expiration or
explicit revocation.<a href="#section-4.2.3-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="re-negotiation-during-runtime">
<section id="section-4.2.4">
<h4 id="name-re-negotiation-during-runti">
<a href="#section-4.2.4" class="section-number selfRef">4.2.4. </a><a href="#name-re-negotiation-during-runti" class="section-name selfRef">Re-Negotiation During Runtime</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.2.4-1">Either party <span class="bcp14">MAY</span> initiate re-negotiation of an active agreement
when:<a href="#section-4.2.4-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.4-2.1">
<p id="section-4.2.4-2.1.1">Resource availability changes.<a href="#section-4.2.4-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.4-2.2">
<p id="section-4.2.4-2.2.1">New constraints are imposed by external factors.<a href="#section-4.2.4-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.4-2.3">
<p id="section-4.2.4-2.3.1">The original terms are no longer adequate.<a href="#section-4.2.4-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="section-4.2.4-3">Re-negotiation follows the same offer/counter-offer protocol but
references the existing agreement_id.<a href="#section-4.2.4-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="capability-registry">
<section id="section-4.3">
<h3 id="name-capability-registry">
<a href="#section-4.3" class="section-number selfRef">4.3. </a><a href="#name-capability-registry" class="section-name selfRef">Capability Registry</a>
</h3>
<div id="well-known-capability-types">
<section id="section-4.3.1">
<h4 id="name-well-known-capability-types">
<a href="#section-4.3.1" class="section-number selfRef">4.3.1. </a><a href="#name-well-known-capability-types" class="section-name selfRef">Well-Known Capability Types</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.3.1-1">The following capability types are defined as initial entries in
the capability registry:<a href="#section-4.3.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-well-known-capability-types-2"></span><div id="tab-capability-types">
<table class="center" id="table-1">
<caption>
<a href="#table-1" class="selfRef">Table 1</a>:
<a href="#name-well-known-capability-types-2" class="selfRef">Well-Known Capability Types</a>
</caption>
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Type ID</th>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Category</th>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Description</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">compute.inference</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Compute</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Model inference execution</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">compute.transform</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Compute</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Data transformation and processing</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">knowledge.domain</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Knowledge</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Domain-specific expertise</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">knowledge.retrieval</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Knowledge</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Information retrieval from knowledge bases</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">tool.api</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Tool Access</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">External API integration</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">tool.execution</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Tool Access</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Tool or script execution</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">authz.delegate</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Authorization</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Delegated authorization scope</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">authz.verify</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Authorization</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Credential and permission verification</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="extension-mechanism-for-custom-capabilities">
<section id="section-4.3.2">
<h4 id="name-extension-mechanism-for-cus">
<a href="#section-4.3.2" class="section-number selfRef">4.3.2. </a><a href="#name-extension-mechanism-for-cus" class="section-name selfRef">Extension Mechanism for Custom Capabilities</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.3.2-1">Organizations <span class="bcp14">MAY</span> define custom capability types using a reverse
domain name prefix (e.g., "com.example.custom-capability"). Custom
capability types:<a href="#section-4.3.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.3.2-2.1">
<p id="section-4.3.2-2.1.1"><span class="bcp14">MUST NOT</span> conflict with well-known capability type identifiers.<a href="#section-4.3.2-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.3.2-2.2">
<p id="section-4.3.2-2.2.1"><span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> be registered with IANA for interoperability when intended
for broad use.<a href="#section-4.3.2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.3.2-2.3">
<p id="section-4.3.2-2.3.1"><span class="bcp14">MUST</span> include a human-readable description and a machine-readable
schema for parameters.<a href="#section-4.3.2-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="ect-integration">
<section id="section-5">
<h2 id="name-ect-integration">
<a href="#section-5" class="section-number selfRef">5. </a><a href="#name-ect-integration" class="section-name selfRef">ECT Integration</a>
</h2>
<p id="section-5-1">Consensus and capability negotiation events <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be recorded in the
Execution Chain Trace (ECT) framework defined in
<span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect</a>]</span> to provide a verifiable audit trail.<a href="#section-5-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<div id="consensus-evidence-in-ect-nodes">
<section id="section-5.1">
<h3 id="name-consensus-evidence-in-ect-n">
<a href="#section-5.1" class="section-number selfRef">5.1. </a><a href="#name-consensus-evidence-in-ect-n" class="section-name selfRef">Consensus Evidence in ECT Nodes</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-5.1-1">The following exec_act values are defined for consensus operations:<a href="#section-5.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-5.1-2.1">
<p id="section-5.1-2.1.1"><strong>consensus_propose</strong>: Records the submission of a proposal.
The ECT node <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> include the proposal_id, proposer identity,
and proposal summary.<a href="#section-5.1-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-5.1-2.2">
<p id="section-5.1-2.2.1"><strong>consensus_vote</strong>: Records a vote cast by an agent. The ECT
node <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> include the proposal_id, voter identity, decision,
and rationale (if provided).<a href="#section-5.1-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-5.1-2.3">
<p id="section-5.1-2.3.1"><strong>consensus_commit</strong>: Records the outcome of a consensus round.
The ECT node <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> include the proposal_id, final tally,
outcome (commit or abort), and the leader's signature.<a href="#section-5.1-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="capability-negotiation-records-in-ect">
<section id="section-5.2">
<h3 id="name-capability-negotiation-reco">
<a href="#section-5.2" class="section-number selfRef">5.2. </a><a href="#name-capability-negotiation-reco" class="section-name selfRef">Capability Negotiation Records in ECT</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-5.2-1">Capability negotiation events are recorded using the ECT ext
(extension) claims mechanism:<a href="#section-5.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-5.2-2.1">
<p id="section-5.2-2.1.1">The <strong>ext</strong> claim <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> include a "capability_negotiation" object
containing the session_id, capability type, and negotiation
outcome.<a href="#section-5.2-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-5.2-2.2">
<p id="section-5.2-2.2.1">Agreement creation and revocation events <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> each produce an
ECT node with the agreement_id and relevant terms.<a href="#section-5.2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-5.2-2.3">
<p id="section-5.2-2.3.1">Re-negotiation events <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> reference the original agreement_id
and include both the previous and updated terms.<a href="#section-5.2-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="security-considerations">
<section id="section-6">
<h2 id="name-security-considerations">
<a href="#section-6" class="section-number selfRef">6. </a><a href="#name-security-considerations" class="section-name selfRef">Security Considerations</a>
</h2>
<div id="sybil-resistance">
<section id="section-6.1">
<h3 id="name-sybil-resistance">
<a href="#section-6.1" class="section-number selfRef">6.1. </a><a href="#name-sybil-resistance" class="section-name selfRef">Sybil Resistance</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-6.1-1">To prevent an attacker from creating multiple fake agent identities
to influence consensus outcomes:<a href="#section-6.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-6.1-2.1">
<p id="section-6.1-2.1.1">Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> authenticate using verifiable credentials bound to
their operational identity.<a href="#section-6.1-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.1-2.2">
<p id="section-6.1-2.2.1">The leader <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> verify agent identities before accepting votes.<a href="#section-6.1-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.1-2.3">
<p id="section-6.1-2.3.1">Consensus mechanisms <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> incorporate identity verification
scores that penalize newly registered or unverified agents.<a href="#section-6.1-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.1-2.4">
<p id="section-6.1-2.4.1">Rate limiting on agent registration prevents rapid creation of
sybil identities.<a href="#section-6.1-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="byzantine-fault-tolerance-considerations">
<section id="section-6.2">
<h3 id="name-byzantine-fault-tolerance-c">
<a href="#section-6.2" class="section-number selfRef">6.2. </a><a href="#name-byzantine-fault-tolerance-c" class="section-name selfRef">Byzantine Fault Tolerance Considerations</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-6.2-1">The consensus mechanisms defined in this document do not provide
full Byzantine fault tolerance (BFT). Deployments requiring BFT
guarantees <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span>:<a href="#section-6.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-6.2-2.1">
<p id="section-6.2-2.1.1">Use weighted consensus with trust scores that reflect agent
reliability history.<a href="#section-6.2-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.2-2.2">
<p id="section-6.2-2.2.1">Implement cross-validation of votes through independent
verification channels.<a href="#section-6.2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.2-2.3">
<p id="section-6.2-2.3.1">Set quorum thresholds to at least 2f+1 where f is the maximum
number of potentially faulty agents.<a href="#section-6.2-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.2-2.4">
<p id="section-6.2-2.4.1">Consider established BFT protocols (e.g., PBFT) as an
alternative consensus mechanism for high-security environments.<a href="#section-6.2-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="capability-spoofing">
<section id="section-6.3">
<h3 id="name-capability-spoofing">
<a href="#section-6.3" class="section-number selfRef">6.3. </a><a href="#name-capability-spoofing" class="section-name selfRef">Capability Spoofing</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-6.3-1">Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST NOT</span> advertise capabilities they do not possess.
Mitigations include:<a href="#section-6.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-6.3-2.1">
<p id="section-6.3-2.1.1">Capability advertisements <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be signed using the agent's
verified credentials.<a href="#section-6.3-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.3-2.2">
<p id="section-6.3-2.2.1">Consumers <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> validate capability claims through test
invocations before relying on them for critical operations.<a href="#section-6.3-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.3-2.3">
<p id="section-6.3-2.3.1">Agents that fail to deliver advertised capabilities <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> have
their trust scores reduced.<a href="#section-6.3-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.3-2.4">
<p id="section-6.3-2.4.1">Repeated capability spoofing <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> result in exclusion from
future consensus rounds and negotiation sessions.<a href="#section-6.3-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="coercion-and-collusion-detection">
<section id="section-6.4">
<h3 id="name-coercion-and-collusion-dete">
<a href="#section-6.4" class="section-number selfRef">6.4. </a><a href="#name-coercion-and-collusion-dete" class="section-name selfRef">Coercion and Collusion Detection</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-6.4-1">To detect coordinated manipulation of consensus outcomes:<a href="#section-6.4-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-6.4-2.1">
<p id="section-6.4-2.1.1">Vote patterns <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> be analyzed for statistical anomalies
(e.g., identical rationales, synchronized timing).<a href="#section-6.4-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.4-2.2">
<p id="section-6.4-2.2.1">Agents <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> be required to submit votes independently without
knowledge of other agents' votes until the tally is complete
(sealed-bid voting).<a href="#section-6.4-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.4-2.3">
<p id="section-6.4-2.3.1">The ECT audit trail enables post-hoc analysis of voting patterns
to identify potential collusion.<a href="#section-6.4-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-6.4-2.4">
<p id="section-6.4-2.4.1">Human operators <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> be notified when anomalous voting patterns
are detected.<a href="#section-6.4-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="iana-considerations">
<section id="section-7">
<h2 id="name-iana-considerations">
<a href="#section-7" class="section-number selfRef">7. </a><a href="#name-iana-considerations" class="section-name selfRef">IANA Considerations</a>
</h2>
<div id="consensus-execact-values">
<section id="section-7.1">
<h3 id="name-consensus-exec_act-values">
<a href="#section-7.1" class="section-number selfRef">7.1. </a><a href="#name-consensus-exec_act-values" class="section-name selfRef">Consensus exec_act Values</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-7.1-1">This document requests registration of the following exec_act
values in the ECT exec_act registry:<a href="#section-7.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-consensus-exec_act-values-2"></span><div id="tab-exec-act">
<table class="center" id="table-2">
<caption>
<a href="#table-2" class="selfRef">Table 2</a>:
<a href="#name-consensus-exec_act-values-2" class="selfRef">Consensus exec_act Values</a>
</caption>
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Value</th>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Description</th>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Reference</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">consensus_propose</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Agent submits a consensus proposal</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">consensus_vote</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Agent casts a vote on a proposal</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">consensus_commit</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Leader commits or aborts a consensus round</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="capability-type-registry">
<section id="section-7.2">
<h3 id="name-capability-type-registry">
<a href="#section-7.2" class="section-number selfRef">7.2. </a><a href="#name-capability-type-registry" class="section-name selfRef">Capability Type Registry</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-7.2-1">This document requests IANA to create a new "Agent Capability
Types" registry with the following initial entries as defined in
<a href="#tab-capability-types" class="auto internal xref">Table 1</a>.<a href="#section-7.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-7.2-2">New entries in this registry require Specification Required
(per <span>[<a href="#RFC8126" class="cite xref">RFC8126</a>]</span>) and <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> include:<a href="#section-7.2-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-7.2-3.1">
<p id="section-7.2-3.1.1">A unique type identifier.<a href="#section-7.2-3.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-7.2-3.2">
<p id="section-7.2-3.2.1">The capability category.<a href="#section-7.2-3.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-7.2-3.3">
<p id="section-7.2-3.3.1">A human-readable description.<a href="#section-7.2-3.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-7.2-3.4">
<p id="section-7.2-3.4.1">A reference to the defining specification.<a href="#section-7.2-3.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="sec-combined-references">
<section id="section-8">
<h2 id="name-references">
<a href="#section-8" class="section-number selfRef">8. </a><a href="#name-references" class="section-name selfRef">References</a>
</h2>
<div id="sec-normative-references">
<section id="section-8.1">
<h3 id="name-normative-references">
<a href="#section-8.1" class="section-number selfRef">8.1. </a><a href="#name-normative-references" class="section-name selfRef">Normative References</a>
</h3>
<dl class="references">
<dt id="I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety">[I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety]</dt>
<dd>
<span class="refTitle">"Agent Context Policy Token: DAG Delegation with Human Override"</span>, <span>n.d.</span>, <span>&lt;<a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety/">https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety/</a>&gt;</span>. </dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect">[I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect]</dt>
<dd>
<span class="refTitle">"Execution Context Tokens for Distributed Agentic Workflows"</span>, <span>n.d.</span>, <span>&lt;<a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-nennemann-wimse-ect/">https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-nennemann-wimse-ect/</a>&gt;</span>. </dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="RFC2119">[RFC2119]</dt>
<dd>
<span class="refAuthor">Bradner, S.</span>, <span class="refTitle">"Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement Levels"</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">BCP 14</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">RFC 2119</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">DOI 10.17487/RFC2119</span>, <time datetime="1997-03" class="refDate">March 1997</time>, <span>&lt;<a href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2119">https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2119</a>&gt;</span>. </dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="RFC7515">[RFC7515]</dt>
<dd>
<span class="refAuthor">Jones, M.</span>, <span class="refAuthor">Bradley, J.</span>, and <span class="refAuthor">N. Sakimura</span>, <span class="refTitle">"JSON Web Signature (JWS)"</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">RFC 7515</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">DOI 10.17487/RFC7515</span>, <time datetime="2015-05" class="refDate">May 2015</time>, <span>&lt;<a href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7515">https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7515</a>&gt;</span>. </dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="RFC7519">[RFC7519]</dt>
<dd>
<span class="refAuthor">Jones, M.</span>, <span class="refAuthor">Bradley, J.</span>, and <span class="refAuthor">N. Sakimura</span>, <span class="refTitle">"JSON Web Token (JWT)"</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">RFC 7519</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">DOI 10.17487/RFC7519</span>, <time datetime="2015-05" class="refDate">May 2015</time>, <span>&lt;<a href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7519">https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7519</a>&gt;</span>. </dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="RFC8174">[RFC8174]</dt>
<dd>
<span class="refAuthor">Leiba, B.</span>, <span class="refTitle">"Ambiguity of Uppercase vs Lowercase in RFC 2119 Key Words"</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">BCP 14</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">RFC 8174</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">DOI 10.17487/RFC8174</span>, <time datetime="2017-05" class="refDate">May 2017</time>, <span>&lt;<a href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8174">https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8174</a>&gt;</span>. </dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="RFC9110">[RFC9110]</dt>
<dd>
<span class="refAuthor">Fielding, R., Ed.</span>, <span class="refAuthor">Nottingham, M., Ed.</span>, and <span class="refAuthor">J. Reschke, Ed.</span>, <span class="refTitle">"HTTP Semantics"</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">STD 97</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">RFC 9110</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">DOI 10.17487/RFC9110</span>, <time datetime="2022-06" class="refDate">June 2022</time>, <span>&lt;<a href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc9110">https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc9110</a>&gt;</span>. </dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
</dl>
</section>
</div>
<div id="sec-informative-references">
<section id="section-8.2">
<h3 id="name-informative-references">
<a href="#section-8.2" class="section-number selfRef">8.2. </a><a href="#name-informative-references" class="section-name selfRef">Informative References</a>
</h3>
<dl class="references">
<dt id="I-D.nennemann-agent-gap-analysis">[I-D.nennemann-agent-gap-analysis]</dt>
<dd>
<span class="refTitle">"Gap Analysis for Autonomous Agent Protocols"</span>, <span>n.d.</span>, <span>&lt;<a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-nennemann-agent-gap-analysis/">https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/draft-nennemann-agent-gap-analysis/</a>&gt;</span>. </dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="RFC8126">[RFC8126]</dt>
<dd>
<span class="refAuthor">Cotton, M.</span>, <span class="refAuthor">Leiba, B.</span>, and <span class="refAuthor">T. Narten</span>, <span class="refTitle">"Guidelines for Writing an IANA Considerations Section in RFCs"</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">BCP 26</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">RFC 8126</span>, <span class="seriesInfo">DOI 10.17487/RFC8126</span>, <time datetime="2017-06" class="refDate">June 2017</time>, <span>&lt;<a href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8126">https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8126</a>&gt;</span>. </dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
</dl>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="acknowledgments">
<section id="appendix-A">
<h2 id="name-acknowledgments">
<a href="#name-acknowledgments" class="section-name selfRef">Acknowledgments</a>
</h2>
<p id="appendix-A-1">The author thanks the contributors to the NMOP working group
discussions on AI agent orchestration and multi-agent coordination
challenges.<a href="#appendix-A-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="authors-addresses">
<section id="appendix-B">
<h2 id="name-authors-address">
<a href="#name-authors-address" class="section-name selfRef">Author's Address</a>
</h2>
<address class="vcard">
<div dir="auto" class="left"><span class="fn nameRole">Christian Nennemann</span></div>
<div dir="auto" class="left"><span class="org">Independent Researcher</span></div>
<div class="email">
<span>Email:</span>
<a href="mailto:ietf@nennemann.de" class="email">ietf@nennemann.de</a>
</div>
</address>
</section>
</div>
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