Files
ietf-draft-analyzer/workspace/drafts/gap-analysis/draft-nennemann-agent-override-protocol-00.html
Christian Nennemann 2506b6325a
Some checks failed
CI / test (3.11) (push) Failing after 1m37s
CI / test (3.12) (push) Failing after 57s
feat: add draft data, gap analysis report, and workspace config
2026-04-06 18:47:15 +02:00

2734 lines
112 KiB
HTML
Raw Blame History

This file contains invisible Unicode characters
This file contains invisible Unicode characters that are indistinguishable to humans but may be processed differently by a computer. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.
<!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>Standardized Human Override Protocol for Autonomous Agents</title>
<meta content="Christian Nennemann" name="author">
<meta content="
This document defines a cross-vendor interoperable protocol for
human operators to override autonomous agent decisions at multiple
authority levels, with verified compliance and audit trails. It
absorbs and supersedes the override mechanisms described in earlier
HEOP and HITL drafts, providing a single unified protocol that
works across agent implementations from different vendors. The
protocol specifies three override levels (Advisory, Mandatory,
Emergency), a JWT-based override signal format, multiple delivery
mechanisms, compliance verification, and graceful degradation
semantics. Override events are recorded as Execution Context Token
(ECT) nodes for tamper-evident audit.
" name="description">
<meta content="xml2rfc 3.31.0" name="generator">
<meta content="human override" name="keyword">
<meta content="autonomous agents" name="keyword">
<meta content="kill switch" name="keyword">
<meta content="override protocol" name="keyword">
<meta content="agent safety" name="keyword">
<meta content="draft-nennemann-agent-override-protocol-00" name="ietf.draft">
<!-- Generator version information:
xml2rfc 3.31.0
Python 3.14.3
ConfigArgParse 1.7.1
google-i18n-address 3.1.1
intervaltree 3.2.1
Jinja2 3.1.6
lxml 6.0.2
platformdirs 4.9.2
pycountry 26.2.16
PyYAML 6.0.3
requests 2.32.5
wcwidth 0.6.0
-->
<link href="draft-nennemann-agent-override-protocol-00.xml" rel="alternate" type="application/rfc+xml">
<link href="#copyright" rel="license">
<style type="text/css">/*
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,
this can be consolidated so that style settings occur only in one place, but
for now the contents of this file consists first of the initial CSS work as
provided to the RFC Formatter (xml2rfc) work, followed by itemized and
commented changes found necessary during the development of the v3
formatters.
*/
/* fonts */
@import url('https://static.ietf.org/fonts/noto-sans/import.css'); /* Sans-serif */
@import url('https://static.ietf.org/fonts/noto-serif/import.css'); /* Serif (print) */
@import url('https://static.ietf.org/fonts/roboto-mono/import.css'); /* Monospace */
:root {
--font-sans: 'Noto Sans', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;
--font-serif: 'Noto Serif', 'Times', 'Times New Roman', serif;
--font-mono: 'Roboto Mono', Courier, 'Courier New', monospace;
}
@viewport {
zoom: 1.0;
}
@-ms-viewport {
width: extend-to-zoom;
zoom: 1.0;
}
/* general and mobile first */
html {
}
body {
max-width: 90%;
margin: 1.5em auto;
color: #222;
background-color: #fff;
font-size: 14px;
font-family: var(--font-sans);
line-height: 1.6;
scroll-behavior: smooth;
overflow-wrap: break-word;
}
.ears {
display: none;
}
/* headings */
#title, h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
margin: 1em 0 0.5em;
font-weight: bold;
line-height: 1.3;
}
#title {
clear: both;
border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;
margin: 0 0 0.5em 0;
padding: 1em 0 0.5em;
}
.author {
padding-bottom: 4px;
}
h1 {
font-size: 26px;
margin: 1em 0;
}
h2 {
font-size: 22px;
margin-top: -20px; /* provide offset for in-page anchors */
padding-top: 33px;
}
h3 {
font-size: 18px;
margin-top: -36px; /* provide offset for in-page anchors */
padding-top: 42px;
}
h4 {
font-size: 16px;
margin-top: -36px; /* provide offset for in-page anchors */
padding-top: 42px;
}
h5, h6 {
font-size: 14px;
}
#n-copyright-notice {
border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;
padding-bottom: 1em;
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
/* general structure */
p {
padding: 0;
margin: 0 0 1em 0;
text-align: left;
}
div, span {
position: relative;
}
div {
margin: 0;
}
.alignRight.art-text {
background-color: #f9f9f9;
border: 1px solid #eee;
border-radius: 3px;
padding: 1em 1em 0;
margin-bottom: 1.5em;
}
.alignRight.art-text pre {
padding: 0;
}
.alignRight {
margin: 1em 0;
}
.alignRight > *:first-child {
border: none;
margin: 0;
float: right;
clear: both;
}
.alignRight > *:nth-child(2) {
clear: both;
display: block;
border: none;
}
svg {
display: block;
}
@media print {
svg {
max-height: 850px;
max-width: 660px;
}
}
svg[font-family~="serif" i], svg [font-family~="serif" i] {
font-family: var(--font-serif);
}
svg[font-family~="sans-serif" i], svg [font-family~="sans-serif" i] {
font-family: var(--font-sans);
}
svg[font-family~="monospace" i], svg [font-family~="monospace" i] {
font-family: var(--font-mono);
}
.alignCenter.art-text {
background-color: #f9f9f9;
border: 1px solid #eee;
border-radius: 3px;
padding: 1em 1em 0;
margin-bottom: 1.5em;
}
.alignCenter.art-text pre {
padding: 0;
}
.alignCenter {
margin: 1em 0;
}
.alignCenter > *:first-child {
display: table;
border: none;
margin: 0 auto;
}
/* lists */
ol, ul {
padding: 0;
margin: 0 0 1em 2em;
}
ol ol, ul ul, ol ul, ul ol {
margin-left: 1em;
}
li {
margin: 0 0 0.25em 0;
}
.ulCompact li {
margin: 0;
}
ul.empty, .ulEmpty {
list-style-type: none;
}
ul.empty li, .ulEmpty li {
margin-top: 0.5em;
}
ul.ulBare, li.ulBare {
margin-left: 0em !important;
}
ul.compact, .ulCompact,
ol.compact, .olCompact {
line-height: 100%;
margin: 0 0 0 2em;
}
/* definition lists */
dl {
}
dl > dt {
float: left;
margin-right: 1em;
}
/*
dl.nohang > dt {
float: none;
}
*/
dl > dd {
margin-bottom: .8em;
min-height: 1.3em;
}
dl.compact > dd, .dlCompact > dd {
margin-bottom: 0em;
}
dl > dd > dl {
margin-top: 0.5em;
margin-bottom: 0em;
}
/* links */
a {
text-decoration: none;
}
a[href] {
color: #22e; /* Arlen: WCAG 2019 */
}
a[href]:hover {
background-color: #f2f2f2;
}
figcaption a[href],
a[href].selfRef {
color: #222;
}
/* XXX probably not this:
a.selfRef:hover {
background-color: transparent;
cursor: default;
} */
/* Figures */
tt, code, pre {
background-color: #f9f9f9;
font-family: var(--font-mono);
}
pre {
border: 1px solid #eee;
margin: 0;
padding: 1em;
}
img {
max-width: 100%;
}
figure {
margin: 0;
}
figure blockquote {
margin: 0.8em 0.4em 0.4em;
}
figcaption {
font-style: italic;
margin: 0 0 1em 0;
}
@media screen {
pre {
overflow-x: auto;
max-width: 100%;
max-width: calc(100% - 22px);
}
}
/* aside, blockquote */
aside, blockquote {
margin-left: 0;
padding: 1.2em 2em;
}
blockquote {
background-color: #f9f9f9;
color: #111; /* Arlen: WCAG 2019 */
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 3px;
margin: 1em 0;
}
blockquote > *:last-child {
margin-bottom: 0;
}
cite {
display: block;
text-align: right;
font-style: italic;
}
.xref {
overflow-wrap: normal;
}
/* tables */
table {
width: 100%;
margin: 0 0 1em;
border-collapse: collapse;
border: 1px solid #eee;
}
th, td {
text-align: left;
vertical-align: top;
padding: 0.5em 0.75em;
}
th {
text-align: left;
background-color: #e9e9e9;
}
tr:nth-child(2n+1) > td {
background-color: #f5f5f5;
}
table caption {
font-style: italic;
margin: 0;
padding: 0;
text-align: left;
}
table p {
/* XXX to avoid bottom margin on table row signifiers. If paragraphs should
be allowed within tables more generally, it would be far better to select on a class. */
margin: 0;
}
/* pilcrow */
a.pilcrow {
color: #666; /* Arlen: AHDJ 2019 */
text-decoration: none;
visibility: hidden;
user-select: none;
-ms-user-select: none;
-o-user-select:none;
-moz-user-select: none;
-khtml-user-select: none;
-webkit-user-select: none;
-webkit-touch-callout: none;
}
@media screen {
aside:hover > a.pilcrow,
p:hover > a.pilcrow,
blockquote:hover > a.pilcrow,
div:hover > a.pilcrow,
li:hover > a.pilcrow,
pre:hover > a.pilcrow {
visibility: visible;
}
a.pilcrow:hover {
background-color: transparent;
}
}
/* misc */
hr {
border: 0;
border-top: 1px solid #eee;
}
.bcp14 {
font-variant: small-caps;
}
.role {
font-variant: all-small-caps;
}
/* info block */
#identifiers {
margin: 0;
font-size: 0.9em;
}
#identifiers dt {
width: 3em;
clear: left;
}
#identifiers dd {
float: left;
margin-bottom: 0;
}
/* Fix PDF info block run off issue */
@media print {
#identifiers dd {
max-width: 100%;
}
}
#identifiers .authors .author {
display: inline-block;
margin-right: 1.5em;
}
#identifiers .authors .org {
font-style: italic;
}
/* The prepared/rendered info at the very bottom of the page */
.docInfo {
color: #666; /* Arlen: WCAG 2019 */
font-size: 0.9em;
font-style: italic;
margin-top: 2em;
}
.docInfo .prepared {
float: left;
}
.docInfo .prepared {
float: right;
}
/* table of contents */
#toc {
padding: 0.75em 0 2em 0;
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
nav.toc ul {
margin: 0 0.5em 0 0;
padding: 0;
list-style: none;
}
nav.toc li {
line-height: 1.3em;
margin: 0.75em 0;
padding-left: 1.2em;
text-indent: -1.2em;
}
/* references */
.references dt {
text-align: right;
font-weight: bold;
min-width: 7em;
}
.references dd {
margin-left: 8em;
overflow: auto;
}
.refInstance {
margin-bottom: 1.25em;
}
.refSubseries {
margin-bottom: 1.25em;
}
.references .ascii {
margin-bottom: 0.25em;
}
/* index */
.index ul {
margin: 0 0 0 1em;
padding: 0;
list-style: none;
}
.index ul ul {
margin: 0;
}
.index li {
margin: 0;
text-indent: -2em;
padding-left: 2em;
padding-bottom: 5px;
}
.indexIndex {
margin: 0.5em 0 1em;
}
.index a {
font-weight: 700;
}
/* make the index two-column on all but the smallest screens */
@media (min-width: 600px) {
.index ul {
-moz-column-count: 2;
-moz-column-gap: 20px;
}
.index ul ul {
-moz-column-count: 1;
-moz-column-gap: 0;
}
}
/* authors */
address.vcard {
font-style: normal;
margin: 1em 0;
}
address.vcard .nameRole {
font-weight: 700;
margin-left: 0;
}
address.vcard .label {
font-family: var(--font-sans);
margin: 0.5em 0;
}
address.vcard .type {
display: none;
}
.alternative-contact {
margin: 1.5em 0 1em;
}
hr.addr {
border-top: 1px dashed;
margin: 0;
color: #ddd;
max-width: calc(100% - 16px);
}
/* temporary notes */
.rfcEditorRemove::before {
position: absolute;
top: 0.2em;
right: 0.2em;
padding: 0.2em;
content: "The RFC Editor will remove this note";
color: #9e2a00; /* Arlen: WCAG 2019 */
background-color: #ffd; /* Arlen: WCAG 2019 */
}
.rfcEditorRemove {
position: relative;
padding-top: 1.8em;
background-color: #ffd; /* Arlen: WCAG 2019 */
border-radius: 3px;
}
.cref {
background-color: #ffd; /* Arlen: WCAG 2019 */
padding: 2px 4px;
}
.crefSource {
font-style: italic;
}
/* alternative layout for smaller screens */
@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {
body {
padding-top: 2em;
}
#title {
padding: 1em 0;
}
h1 {
font-size: 24px;
}
h2 {
font-size: 20px;
margin-top: -18px; /* provide offset for in-page anchors */
padding-top: 38px;
}
#identifiers dd {
max-width: 60%;
}
#toc {
position: fixed;
z-index: 2;
top: 0;
right: 0;
padding: 0;
margin: 0;
background-color: inherit;
border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;
}
#toc h2 {
margin: -1px 0 0 0;
padding: 4px 0 4px 6px;
padding-right: 1em;
min-width: 190px;
font-size: 1.1em;
text-align: right;
background-color: #444;
color: white;
cursor: pointer;
}
#toc h2::before { /* css hamburger */
float: right;
position: relative;
width: 1em;
height: 1px;
left: -164px;
margin: 6px 0 0 0;
background: white none repeat scroll 0 0;
box-shadow: 0 4px 0 0 white, 0 8px 0 0 white;
content: "";
}
#toc nav {
display: none;
padding: 0.5em 1em 1em;
overflow: auto;
height: calc(100vh - 48px);
border-left: 1px solid #ddd;
}
}
/* alternative layout for wide screens */
@media screen and (min-width: 1024px) {
body {
max-width: 724px;
margin: 42px auto;
padding-left: 1.5em;
padding-right: 29em;
}
#toc {
position: fixed;
top: 42px;
right: 42px;
width: 25%;
margin: 0;
padding: 0 1em;
z-index: 1;
}
#toc h2 {
border-top: none;
border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;
font-size: 1em;
font-weight: normal;
margin: 0;
padding: 0.25em 1em 1em 0;
}
#toc nav {
display: block;
height: calc(90vh - 84px);
bottom: 0;
padding: 0.5em 0 0;
overflow: auto;
}
img { /* future proofing */
max-width: 100%;
height: auto;
}
}
/* pagination */
@media print {
body {
width: 100%;
}
p {
orphans: 3;
widows: 3;
}
#n-copyright-notice {
border-bottom: none;
}
#toc, #n-introduction {
page-break-before: always;
}
#toc {
border-top: none;
padding-top: 0;
}
figure, pre {
page-break-inside: avoid;
}
figure {
overflow: scroll;
}
.breakable pre {
break-inside: auto;
}
h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
page-break-after: avoid;
}
h2+*, h3+*, h4+*, h5+*, h6+* {
page-break-before: avoid;
}
pre {
white-space: pre-wrap;
word-wrap: break-word;
font-size: 10pt;
}
table {
border: 1px solid #ddd;
}
td {
border-top: 1px solid #ddd;
}
}
/* This is commented out here, as the string-set: doesn't
pass W3C validation currently */
/*
.ears thead .left {
string-set: ears-top-left content();
}
.ears thead .center {
string-set: ears-top-center content();
}
.ears thead .right {
string-set: ears-top-right content();
}
.ears tfoot .left {
string-set: ears-bottom-left content();
}
.ears tfoot .center {
string-set: ears-bottom-center content();
}
.ears tfoot .right {
string-set: ears-bottom-right content();
}
*/
@page :first {
padding-top: 0;
@top-left {
content: normal;
border: none;
}
@top-center {
content: normal;
border: none;
}
@top-right {
content: normal;
border: none;
}
}
@page {
size: A4;
margin-bottom: 45mm;
padding-top: 20px;
/* The following is commented out here, but set appropriately by in code, as
the content depends on the document */
/*
@top-left {
content: 'Internet-Draft';
vertical-align: bottom;
border-bottom: solid 1px #ccc;
}
@top-left {
content: string(ears-top-left);
vertical-align: bottom;
border-bottom: solid 1px #ccc;
}
@top-center {
content: string(ears-top-center);
vertical-align: bottom;
border-bottom: solid 1px #ccc;
}
@top-right {
content: string(ears-top-right);
vertical-align: bottom;
border-bottom: solid 1px #ccc;
}
@bottom-left {
content: string(ears-bottom-left);
vertical-align: top;
border-top: solid 1px #ccc;
}
@bottom-center {
content: string(ears-bottom-center);
vertical-align: top;
border-top: solid 1px #ccc;
}
@bottom-right {
content: '[Page ' counter(page) ']';
vertical-align: top;
border-top: solid 1px #ccc;
}
*/
}
/* Changes introduced to fix issues found during implementation */
/* Make sure links are clickable even if overlapped by following H* */
a {
z-index: 2;
}
/* Separate body from document info even without intervening H1 */
section {
clear: both;
}
/* Top align author divs, to avoid names without organization dropping level with org names */
.author {
vertical-align: top;
}
/* Leave room in document info to show Internet-Draft on one line */
#identifiers dt {
width: 8em;
}
/* Don't waste quite as much whitespace between label and value in doc info */
#identifiers dd {
margin-left: 1em;
}
/* Give floating toc a background color (needed when it's a div inside section */
#toc {
background-color: white;
}
/* Make the collapsed ToC header render white on gray also when it's a link */
@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {
#toc h2 a,
#toc h2 a:link,
#toc h2 a:focus,
#toc h2 a:hover,
#toc a.toplink,
#toc a.toplink:hover {
color: white;
background-color: #444;
text-decoration: none;
}
}
/* Give the bottom of the ToC some whitespace */
@media screen and (min-width: 1024px) {
#toc {
padding: 0 0 1em 1em;
}
}
/* Style section numbers with more space between number and title */
.section-number {
padding-right: 0.5em;
}
/* prevent monospace from becoming overly large */
tt, code, pre {
font-size: 95%;
}
/* Fix the height/width aspect for ascii art*/
.sourcecode pre,
.art-text pre {
line-height: 1.12;
}
/* Add styling for a link in the ToC that points to the top of the document */
a.toplink {
float: right;
margin-right: 0.5em;
}
/* Fix the dl styling to match the RFC 7992 attributes */
dl > dt,
dl.dlParallel > dt {
float: left;
margin-right: 1em;
}
dl.dlNewline > dt {
float: none;
}
/* Provide styling for table cell text alignment */
table td.text-left,
table th.text-left {
text-align: left;
}
table td.text-center,
table th.text-center {
text-align: center;
}
table td.text-right,
table th.text-right {
text-align: right;
}
/* Make the alternative author contact information look less like just another
author, and group it closer with the primary author contact information */
.alternative-contact {
margin: 0.5em 0 0.25em 0;
}
address .non-ascii {
margin: 0 0 0 2em;
}
/* With it being possible to set tables with alignment
left, center, and right, { width: 100%; } does not make sense */
table {
width: auto;
}
/* Avoid reference text that sits in a block with very wide left margin,
because of a long floating dt label.*/
.references dd {
overflow: visible;
}
/* Control caption placement */
caption {
caption-side: bottom;
}
/* Limit the width of the author address vcard, so names in right-to-left
script don't end up on the other side of the page. */
address.vcard {
max-width: 30em;
margin-right: auto;
}
/* For address alignment dependent on LTR or RTL scripts */
address div.left {
text-align: left;
}
address div.right {
text-align: right;
}
/* Provide table alignment support. We can't use the alignX classes above
since they do unwanted things with caption and other styling. */
table.right {
margin-left: auto;
margin-right: 0;
}
table.center {
margin-left: auto;
margin-right: auto;
}
table.left {
margin-left: 0;
margin-right: auto;
}
/* Give the table caption label the same styling as the figcaption */
caption a[href] {
color: #222;
}
@media print {
.toplink {
display: none;
}
/* avoid overwriting the top border line with the ToC header */
#toc {
padding-top: 1px;
}
/* Avoid page breaks inside dl and author address entries */
.vcard {
page-break-inside: avoid;
}
}
/* Tweak the bcp14 keyword presentation */
.bcp14 {
font-variant: small-caps;
font-weight: bold;
font-size: 0.9em;
}
/* Tweak the invisible space above H* in order not to overlay links in text above */
h2 {
margin-top: -18px; /* provide offset for in-page anchors */
padding-top: 31px;
}
h3 {
margin-top: -18px; /* provide offset for in-page anchors */
padding-top: 24px;
}
h4 {
margin-top: -18px; /* provide offset for in-page anchors */
padding-top: 24px;
}
/* Float artwork pilcrow to the right */
@media screen {
.artwork a.pilcrow {
display: block;
line-height: 0.7;
margin-top: 0.15em;
}
}
/* Make pilcrows on dd visible */
@media screen {
dd:hover > a.pilcrow {
visibility: visible;
}
}
/* Make the placement of figcaption match that of a table's caption
by removing the figure's added bottom margin */
.alignLeft.art-text,
.alignCenter.art-text,
.alignRight.art-text {
margin-bottom: 0;
}
.alignLeft,
.alignCenter,
.alignRight {
margin: 1em 0 0 0;
}
/* In print, the pilcrow won't show on hover, so prevent it from taking up space,
possibly even requiring a new line */
@media print {
a.pilcrow {
display: none;
}
}
/* Styling for the external metadata */
div#external-metadata {
background-color: #eee;
padding: 0.5em;
margin-bottom: 0.5em;
display: none;
}
div#internal-metadata {
padding: 0.5em; /* to match the external-metadata padding */
}
/* Styling for title RFC Number */
h1#rfcnum {
clear: both;
margin: 0 0 -1em;
padding: 1em 0 0 0;
}
/* Make .olPercent look the same as <ol><li> */
dl.olPercent > dd {
margin-bottom: 0.25em;
min-height: initial;
}
/* Give aside some styling to set it apart */
aside {
border-left: 1px solid #ddd;
margin: 1em 0 1em 2em;
padding: 0.2em 2em;
}
aside > dl,
aside > ol,
aside > ul,
aside > table,
aside > p {
margin-bottom: 0.5em;
}
/* Additional page break settings */
@media print {
figcaption, table caption {
page-break-before: avoid;
}
}
/* Font size adjustments for print */
@media print {
body { font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; max-width: 96%; }
h1 { font-size: 1.72em; padding-top: 1.5em; } /* 1*1.2*1.2*1.2 */
h2 { font-size: 1.44em; padding-top: 1.5em; } /* 1*1.2*1.2 */
h3 { font-size: 1.2em; padding-top: 1.5em; } /* 1*1.2 */
h4 { font-size: 1em; padding-top: 1.5em; }
h5, h6 { font-size: 1em; margin: initial; padding: 0.5em 0 0.3em; }
}
/* Sourcecode margin in print, when there's no pilcrow */
@media print {
.artwork,
.artwork > pre,
.sourcecode {
margin-bottom: 1em;
}
}
/* Avoid narrow tables forcing too narrow table captions, which may render badly */
table {
min-width: 20em;
}
/* ol type a */
ol.type-a { list-style-type: lower-alpha; }
ol.type-A { list-style-type: upper-alpha; }
ol.type-i { list-style-type: lower-roman; }
ol.type-I { list-style-type: upper-roman; }
/* Apply the print table and row borders in general, on request from the RPC,
and increase the contrast between border and odd row background slightly */
table {
border: 1px solid #ddd;
}
td {
border-top: 1px solid #ddd;
}
tr {
break-inside: avoid;
}
tr:nth-child(2n+1) > td {
background-color: #f8f8f8;
}
/* Use style rules to govern display of the TOC. */
@media screen and (max-width: 1023px) {
#toc nav { display: none; }
#toc.active nav { display: block; }
}
/* Add support for keepWithNext */
.keepWithNext {
break-after: avoid-page;
break-after: avoid-page;
}
/* Add support for keepWithPrevious */
.keepWithPrevious {
break-before: avoid-page;
}
/* Change the approach to avoiding breaks inside artwork etc. */
figure, pre, table, .artwork, .sourcecode {
break-before: auto;
break-after: auto;
}
/* Avoid breaks between <dt> and <dd> */
dl {
break-before: auto;
break-inside: auto;
}
dt {
break-before: auto;
break-after: avoid-page;
}
dd {
break-before: avoid-page;
break-after: auto;
orphans: 3;
widows: 3
}
span.break, dd.break {
margin-bottom: 0;
min-height: 0;
break-before: auto;
break-inside: auto;
break-after: auto;
}
/* Undo break-before ToC */
@media print {
#toc {
break-before: auto;
}
}
/* Text in compact lists should not get extra bottom margin space,
since that would makes the list not compact */
ul.compact p, .ulCompact p,
ol.compact p, .olCompact p {
margin: 0;
}
/* But the list as a whole needs the extra space at the end */
section ul.compact,
section .ulCompact,
section ol.compact,
section .olCompact {
margin-bottom: 1em; /* same as p not within ul.compact etc. */
}
/* The tt and code background above interferes with for instance table cell
backgrounds. Changed to something a bit more selective. */
tt, code {
background-color: transparent;
}
p tt, p code, li tt, li code, dt tt, dt code {
background-color: #f8f8f8;
}
/* Tweak the pre margin -- 0px doesn't come out well */
pre {
margin-top: 0.5px;
}
/* Tweak the compact list text */
ul.compact, .ulCompact,
ol.compact, .olCompact,
dl.compact, .dlCompact {
line-height: normal;
}
/* Don't add top margin for nested lists */
li > ul, li > ol, li > dl,
dd > ul, dd > ol, dd > dl,
dl > dd > dl {
margin-top: initial;
}
/* Elements that should not be rendered on the same line as a <dt> */
/* This should match the element list in writer.text.TextWriter.render_dl() */
dd > div.artwork:first-child,
dd > aside:first-child,
dd > blockquote:first-child,
dd > figure:first-child,
dd > ol:first-child,
dd > div.sourcecode:first-child,
dd > table:first-child,
dd > ul:first-child {
clear: left;
}
/* fix for weird browser behaviour when <dd/> is empty */
dt+dd:empty::before{
content: "\00a0";
}
/* Make paragraph spacing inside <li> smaller than in body text, to fit better within the list */
li > p {
margin-bottom: 0.5em
}
/* Don't let p margin spill out from inside list items */
li > p:last-of-type:only-child {
margin-bottom: 0;
}
</style>
<link href="rfc-local.css" rel="stylesheet" type="text/css">
<script type="application/javascript">async function addMetadata(){try{const e=document.styleSheets[0].cssRules;for(let t=0;t<e.length;t++)if(/#identifiers/.exec(e[t].selectorText)){const a=e[t].cssText.replace("#identifiers","#external-updates");document.styleSheets[0].insertRule(a,document.styleSheets[0].cssRules.length)}}catch(e){console.log(e)}const e=document.getElementById("external-metadata");if(e)try{var t,a="",o=function(e){const t=document.getElementsByTagName("meta");for(let a=0;a<t.length;a++)if(t[a].getAttribute("name")===e)return t[a].getAttribute("content");return""}("rfc.number");if(o){t="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc"+o+".json";try{const e=await fetch(t);a=await e.json()}catch(e){t=document.URL.indexOf("html")>=0?document.URL.replace(/html$/,"json"):document.URL+".json";const o=await fetch(t);a=await o.json()}}if(!a)return;e.style.display="block";const s="",d="https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc",n="https://datatracker.ietf.org/ipr/search",c="https://www.rfc-editor.org/info",l=a.doc_id.toLowerCase(),i=a.doc_id.slice(0,3).toLowerCase(),f=a.doc_id.slice(3).replace(/^0+/,""),u={status:"Status",obsoletes:"Obsoletes",obsoleted_by:"Obsoleted By",updates:"Updates",updated_by:"Updated By",see_also:"See Also",errata_url:"Errata"};let h="<dl style='overflow:hidden' id='external-updates'>";["status","obsoletes","obsoleted_by","updates","updated_by","see_also","errata_url"].forEach(e=>{if("status"==e){a[e]=a[e].toLowerCase();var t=a[e].split(" "),o=t.length,w="",p=1;for(let e=0;e<o;e++)p<o?w=w+r(t[e])+" ":w+=r(t[e]),p++;a[e]=w}else if("obsoletes"==e||"obsoleted_by"==e||"updates"==e||"updated_by"==e){var g,m="",b=1;g=a[e].length;for(let t=0;t<g;t++)a[e][t]&&(a[e][t]=String(a[e][t]).toLowerCase(),m=b<g?m+"<a href='"+s+"/rfc/".concat(a[e][t])+"'>"+a[e][t].slice(3)+"</a>, ":m+"<a href='"+s+"/rfc/".concat(a[e][t])+"'>"+a[e][t].slice(3)+"</a>",b++);a[e]=m}else if("see_also"==e){var y,L="",C=1;y=a[e].length;for(let t=0;t<y;t++)if(a[e][t]){a[e][t]=String(a[e][t]);var _=a[e][t].slice(0,3),v=a[e][t].slice(3).replace(/^0+/,"");L=C<y?"RFC"!=_?L+"<a href='"+s+"/info/"+_.toLowerCase().concat(v.toLowerCase())+"'>"+_+" "+v+"</a>, ":L+"<a href='"+s+"/info/"+_.toLowerCase().concat(v.toLowerCase())+"'>"+v+"</a>, ":"RFC"!=_?L+"<a href='"+s+"/info/"+_.toLowerCase().concat(v.toLowerCase())+"'>"+_+" "+v+"</a>":L+"<a href='"+s+"/info/"+_.toLowerCase().concat(v.toLowerCase())+"'>"+v+"</a>",C++}a[e]=L}else if("errata_url"==e){var R="";R=a[e]?R+"<a href='"+a[e]+"'>Errata exist</a> | <a href='"+d+"/"+l+"'>Datatracker</a>| <a href='"+n+"/?"+i+"="+f+"&submit="+i+"'>IPR</a> | <a href='"+c+"/"+l+"'>Info page</a>":"<a href='"+d+"/"+l+"'>Datatracker</a> | <a href='"+n+"/?"+i+"="+f+"&submit="+i+"'>IPR</a> | <a href='"+c+"/"+l+"'>Info page</a>",a[e]=R}""!=a[e]?"Errata"==u[e]?h+=`<dt>More info:</dt><dd>${a[e]}</dd>`:h+=`<dt>${u[e]}:</dt><dd>${a[e]}</dd>`:"Errata"==u[e]&&(h+=`<dt>More info:</dt><dd>${a[e]}</dd>`)}),h+="</dl>",e.innerHTML=h}catch(e){console.log(e)}else console.log("Could not locate metadata <div> element");function r(e){return e.charAt(0).toUpperCase()+e.slice(1)}}window.removeEventListener("load",addMetadata),window.addEventListener("load",addMetadata);</script>
</head>
<body class="xml2rfc">
<table class="ears">
<thead><tr>
<td class="left">Internet-Draft</td>
<td class="center">Agent Override Protocol</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-override-protocol-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">Standardized Human Override Protocol for Autonomous Agents</h1>
<section id="section-abstract">
<h2 id="abstract"><a href="#abstract" class="selfRef">Abstract</a></h2>
<p id="section-abstract-1">This document defines a cross-vendor interoperable protocol for
human operators to override autonomous agent decisions at multiple
authority levels, with verified compliance and audit trails. It
absorbs and supersedes the override mechanisms described in earlier
HEOP and HITL drafts, providing a single unified protocol that
works across agent implementations from different vendors. The
protocol specifies three override levels (Advisory, Mandatory,
Emergency), a JWT-based override signal format, multiple delivery
mechanisms, compliance verification, and graceful degradation
semantics. Override events are recorded as Execution Context Token
(ECT) nodes for tamper-evident audit.<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>
<p id="section-boilerplate.1-3">
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-override-protocol" class="internal xref">Override Protocol</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-override-architecture" class="internal xref">Override Architecture</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-override-authority-levels" class="internal xref">Override Authority Levels</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-level-1-advisory" class="internal xref">Level 1: Advisory</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-level-2-mandatory" class="internal xref">Level 2: Mandatory</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-level-3-emergency" class="internal xref">Level 3: Emergency</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-authority-delegation-and-ch" class="internal xref">Authority Delegation and Chain of Command</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-override-scope" class="internal xref">Override Scope</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-single-agent-override" class="internal xref">Single Agent Override</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-agent-group-override" class="internal xref">Agent Group Override</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-workflow-wide-override" class="internal xref">Workflow-Wide Override</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.3.2.4">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.3.2.3.2.4.1"><a href="#section-3.3.4" class="auto internal xref">3.3.4</a>.  <a href="#name-domain-wide-override" class="internal xref">Domain-Wide Override</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-override-signal-format" class="internal xref">Override Signal Format</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-delivery-mechanisms" class="internal xref">Delivery Mechanisms</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-override-endpoint-discovery" class="internal xref">Override Endpoint Discovery</a></p>
</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-compliance-and-verification" class="internal xref">Compliance and Verification</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-acknowledgment-protocol" class="internal xref">Acknowledgment Protocol</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-override-receipt-acknowledg" class="internal xref">Override Receipt Acknowledgment</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-compliance-confirmation" class="internal xref">Compliance Confirmation</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-non-compliance-reporting-an" class="internal xref">Non-Compliance Reporting and Escalation</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-compliance-verification" class="internal xref">Compliance Verification</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-behavioral-verification-pos" class="internal xref">Behavioral Verification Post-Override</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-timeout-and-retry-semantics" class="internal xref">Timeout and Retry Semantics</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-graceful-degradation" class="internal xref">Graceful Degradation</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-unreachable-override-target" class="internal xref">Unreachable Override Target</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-failsafe-defaults" class="internal xref">Failsafe Defaults</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.3.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.4.2.3.2.3.1"><a href="#section-4.3.3" class="auto internal xref">4.3.3</a>.  <a href="#name-proxy-override-for-offline-" class="internal xref">Proxy Override for Offline Agents</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-integration-with-acp-dag-hi" class="internal xref">Integration with ACP-DAG-HITL and ECT</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-override-authorization-via-" class="internal xref">Override Authorization via ACP Policy</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-override-events-as-ect-node" class="internal xref">Override Events as ECT Nodes</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.5.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.5.2.3.1"><a href="#section-5.3" class="auto internal xref">5.3</a>.  <a href="#name-override-audit-trail" class="internal xref">Override Audit Trail</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-unauthorized-override-attem" class="internal xref">Unauthorized Override Attempts</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-replay-protection-for-overr" class="internal xref">Replay Protection for Override Signals</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-override-signal-tampering" class="internal xref">Override Signal Tampering</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-denial-of-service-via-overr" class="internal xref">Denial-of-Service via Override Flooding</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.6.2.5">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.6.2.5.1"><a href="#section-6.5" class="auto internal xref">6.5</a>.  <a href="#name-authority-impersonation" class="internal xref">Authority Impersonation</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-well-known-uri-registration" class="internal xref">Well-Known URI Registration</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-override-exec_act-values" class="internal xref">Override exec_act Values</a></p>
</li>
<li class="compact toc ulBare ulEmpty" id="section-toc.1-1.7.2.3">
<p id="section-toc.1-1.7.2.3.1"><a href="#section-7.3" class="auto internal xref">7.3</a>.  <a href="#name-override-jwt-claims" class="internal xref">Override JWT Claims</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">Gap 7 of the agentic AI gap analysis
<span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-agent-gap-analysis" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-agent-gap-analysis</a>]</span> identifies the absence of a
standardized human override mechanism as a critical deficiency.
Current human-in-the-loop (HITL) mechanisms are vendor-specific:
each agent platform implements its own override interface,
authentication scheme, and compliance model. When agents from
different vendors collaborate in a shared workflow, there is no
universal mechanism for a human operator to intervene.<a href="#section-1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-1-2">Earlier drafts addressed portions of this problem. The Human
Emergency Override Protocol (HEOP) defined four override levels
with ECT integration. The HITL Primitives draft added approval
gates, explainability tokens, and timeout policies. This document
absorbs and supersedes the override protocol aspects of both,
providing a single cross-vendor interoperable specification.<a href="#section-1-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-1-3">The design draws from industrial safety: the emergency stop button
on factory equipment, the circuit breaker in electrical systems, and
the kill switch in robotics. The override mechanism must be simpler
and more reliable than the system it controls.<a href="#section-1-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-1-4">The protocol integrates with the Agent Context Policy Token
<span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety</a>]</span> for authorization and with
the Execution Context Token <span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect</a>]</span> for audit.<a href="#section-1-4" 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>
<span class="break"></span><dl class="dlParallel" id="section-2-2">
<dt id="section-2-2.1">Override Signal:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-2.2">
<p id="section-2-2.2.1">A signed message from an authorized human operator directing one
or more agents to change their autonomous behavior.<a href="#section-2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-2.3">Override Authority:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-2.4">
<p id="section-2-2.4.1">The authenticated identity and role of a human operator authorized
to issue override signals, as defined in ACP-DAG-HITL policy.<a href="#section-2-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-2.5">Override Scope:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-2.6">
<p id="section-2-2.6.1">The set of agents or agent functions targeted by an override
signal.<a href="#section-2-2.6.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-2.7">Override Level:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-2.8">
<p id="section-2-2.8.1">One of three escalating intervention types: Advisory (Level 1),
Mandatory (Level 2), or Emergency (Level 3).<a href="#section-2-2.8.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-2.9">Compliance Verification:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-2.10">
<p id="section-2-2.10.1">The process of confirming that an agent has changed its behavior
in accordance with an override signal.<a href="#section-2-2.10.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-2.11">Acknowledgment:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-2.12">
<p id="section-2-2.12.1">A signed response from an agent confirming receipt and processing
of an override signal.<a href="#section-2-2.12.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-2.13">Graceful Degradation:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-2.14">
<p id="section-2-2.14.1">The behavior of the override system when the target agent is
unreachable or non-responsive.<a href="#section-2-2.14.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-2-2.15">Kill Switch:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-2-2.16">
<p id="section-2-2.16.1">An Emergency (Level 3) override that requires immediate cessation
of all autonomous agent activity.<a href="#section-2-2.16.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
</dl>
</section>
</div>
<div id="override-protocol">
<section id="section-3">
<h2 id="name-override-protocol">
<a href="#section-3" class="section-number selfRef">3. </a><a href="#name-override-protocol" class="section-name selfRef">Override Protocol</a>
</h2>
<div id="override-architecture">
<section id="section-3.1">
<h3 id="name-override-architecture">
<a href="#section-3.1" class="section-number selfRef">3.1. </a><a href="#name-override-architecture" class="section-name selfRef">Override Architecture</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-3.1-1">The following diagram illustrates the override signal flow from a
human operator through the override system to the target agent(s):<a href="#section-3.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-override-architecture-2"></span><div id="fig-architecture">
<figure id="figure-1">
<div class="alignLeft art-text artwork" id="section-3.1-2.1">
<pre>
+----------+ Override Signal +------------------+
| Human |--(JWT-signed msg)---&gt;| Override |
| Operator | | Dispatcher |
+----------+ +------------------+
^ | | |
| +---------+ | +---------+
| v v v
| +---------+ +---------+ +---------+
| | Agent A | | Agent B | | Agent C |
| | (push) | | (pull) | | (bcast) |
| +---------+ +---------+ +---------+
| | | |
+-----(Ack ECT)-----+-----(Ack)---+-----(Ack)---+
| | |
+----v-------------v-------------v----+
| Compliance Verification |
| &amp; Audit Trail (ECT DAG) |
+-------------------------------------+
</pre>
</div>
<figcaption><a href="#figure-1" class="selfRef">Figure 1</a>:
<a href="#name-override-architecture-2" class="selfRef">Override Architecture</a>
</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p id="section-3.1-3">The Override Dispatcher receives the operator's signed override
signal and routes it to target agents via the appropriate delivery
mechanism. Each agent acknowledges the override with an ECT. The
compliance verification layer monitors agent behavior to confirm
the override was applied.<a href="#section-3.1-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="override-authority-levels">
<section id="section-3.2">
<h3 id="name-override-authority-levels">
<a href="#section-3.2" class="section-number selfRef">3.2. </a><a href="#name-override-authority-levels" class="section-name selfRef">Override Authority Levels</a>
</h3>
<div id="level-1-advisory">
<section id="section-3.2.1">
<h4 id="name-level-1-advisory">
<a href="#section-3.2.1" class="section-number selfRef">3.2.1. </a><a href="#name-level-1-advisory" class="section-name selfRef">Level 1: Advisory</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.2.1-1">An Advisory override is a suggestion for the agent to reconsider
its current course of action. The agent <span class="bcp14">MAY</span> comply with an
Advisory override. If the agent does not comply, it <span class="bcp14">MUST</span>
acknowledge receipt and provide a reason for non-compliance.<a href="#section-3.2.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-3.2.1-2">Advisory overrides are appropriate when the operator wants to
influence agent behavior without mandating a specific outcome.<a href="#section-3.2.1-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="level-2-mandatory">
<section id="section-3.2.2">
<h4 id="name-level-2-mandatory">
<a href="#section-3.2.2" class="section-number selfRef">3.2.2. </a><a href="#name-level-2-mandatory" class="section-name selfRef">Level 2: Mandatory</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.2.2-1">A Mandatory override is a directive for the agent to change its
behavior. The agent <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> comply with a Mandatory override. The
agent <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> alter its behavior as specified in the override signal
and confirm compliance.<a href="#section-3.2.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-3.2.2-2">Mandatory overrides are appropriate when the operator requires a
specific behavioral change but the situation does not require
immediate cessation of all activity.<a href="#section-3.2.2-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="level-3-emergency">
<section id="section-3.2.3">
<h4 id="name-level-3-emergency">
<a href="#section-3.2.3" class="section-number selfRef">3.2.3. </a><a href="#name-level-3-emergency" class="section-name selfRef">Level 3: Emergency</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.2.3-1">An Emergency override requires immediate halt of all autonomous
agent activity. The agent <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> stop all autonomous actions
immediately upon receipt. The agent <span class="bcp14">MUST NOT</span> initiate any new
actions until explicitly released by an authorized operator.
This is the kill switch.<a href="#section-3.2.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-3.2.3-2">Emergency overrides are appropriate in safety-critical situations
where continued autonomous operation poses unacceptable risk.
The agent <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> process Emergency overrides within 1 second of
receipt. The override processing path <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be independent of
the agent's main processing loop.<a href="#section-3.2.3-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="authority-delegation-and-chain-of-command">
<section id="section-3.2.4">
<h4 id="name-authority-delegation-and-ch">
<a href="#section-3.2.4" class="section-number selfRef">3.2.4. </a><a href="#name-authority-delegation-and-ch" class="section-name selfRef">Authority Delegation and Chain of Command</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.2.4-1">Override authority is derived from ACP-DAG-HITL policy. The
policy defines which operator roles are authorized for each
override level:<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">Level 1 (Advisory): Any operator with <code>advisory_override</code> role<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">Level 2 (Mandatory): Operators with <code>mandatory_override</code> role<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">Level 3 (Emergency): Operators with <code>emergency_override</code> role<a href="#section-3.2.4-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="section-3.2.4-3">An operator with a higher-level role implicitly holds all
lower-level roles. Authority delegation (one operator authorizing
another to act on their behalf) <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be recorded as an ECT and
<span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be time-bounded.<a href="#section-3.2.4-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="override-scope">
<section id="section-3.3">
<h3 id="name-override-scope">
<a href="#section-3.3" class="section-number selfRef">3.3. </a><a href="#name-override-scope" class="section-name selfRef">Override Scope</a>
</h3>
<div id="single-agent-override">
<section id="section-3.3.1">
<h4 id="name-single-agent-override">
<a href="#section-3.3.1" class="section-number selfRef">3.3.1. </a><a href="#name-single-agent-override" class="section-name selfRef">Single Agent Override</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.3.1-1">Targets a specific agent identified by its agent identifier
(e.g., a SPIFFE ID). The override signal contains a single
<code>target</code> value.<a href="#section-3.3.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="agent-group-override">
<section id="section-3.3.2">
<h4 id="name-agent-group-override">
<a href="#section-3.3.2" class="section-number selfRef">3.3.2. </a><a href="#name-agent-group-override" class="section-name selfRef">Agent Group Override</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.3.2-1">Targets a set of agents identified by a tag or label. The
override signal contains a <code>target_group</code> value that matches
agents sharing a common label (e.g., <code>group:firewall-agents</code>).<a href="#section-3.3.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="workflow-wide-override">
<section id="section-3.3.3">
<h4 id="name-workflow-wide-override">
<a href="#section-3.3.3" class="section-number selfRef">3.3.3. </a><a href="#name-workflow-wide-override" class="section-name selfRef">Workflow-Wide Override</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.3.3-1">Targets all agents participating in a specific workflow DAG.
The override signal contains a <code>target_workflow</code> value
referencing the workflow identifier.<a href="#section-3.3.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="domain-wide-override">
<section id="section-3.3.4">
<h4 id="name-domain-wide-override">
<a href="#section-3.3.4" class="section-number selfRef">3.3.4. </a><a href="#name-domain-wide-override" class="section-name selfRef">Domain-Wide Override</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-3.3.4-1">Targets all agents within an administrative domain. The
override signal contains <code>target_domain</code> set to <code>"*"</code> or a
specific domain identifier.<a href="#section-3.3.4-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="override-signal-format">
<section id="section-3.4">
<h3 id="name-override-signal-format">
<a href="#section-3.4" class="section-number selfRef">3.4. </a><a href="#name-override-signal-format" class="section-name selfRef">Override Signal Format</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-3.4-1">Override signals are JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) <span>[<a href="#RFC7519" class="cite xref">RFC7519</a>]</span> signed
by the override authority using JSON Web Signature (JWS)
<span>[<a href="#RFC7515" class="cite xref">RFC7515</a>]</span>.<a href="#section-3.4-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-3.4-2">The JWT payload <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> contain the following claims:<a href="#section-3.4-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-override-signal-jwt-payload"></span><div id="fig-signal">
<figure id="figure-2">
<div class="lang-json sourcecode" id="section-3.4-3.1">
<pre>
{
"jti": "urn:uuid:f47ac10b-58cc-4372-a567-0e02b2c3d479",
"iss": "spiffe://example.com/human/alice",
"iat": 1741042800,
"override_level": 3,
"override_scope": {
"type": "single",
"target": "spiffe://example.com/agent/firewall-mgr"
},
"override_action": "stop",
"override_reason": "Agent blocking legitimate traffic",
"override_expiry": 1741046400,
"nonce": "a3f8b2c1e9d74506"
}
</pre>
</div>
<figcaption><a href="#figure-2" class="selfRef">Figure 2</a>:
<a href="#name-override-signal-jwt-payload" class="selfRef">Override Signal JWT Payload</a>
</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p id="section-3.4-4">Claim definitions:<a href="#section-3.4-4" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span class="break"></span><dl class="dlParallel" id="section-3.4-5">
<dt id="section-3.4-5.1">
<code>override_level</code>:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-3.4-5.2">
<p id="section-3.4-5.2.1">Integer 1-3. <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be present. Specifies the override authority
level.<a href="#section-3.4-5.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-3.4-5.3">
<code>override_scope</code>:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-3.4-5.4">
<p id="section-3.4-5.4.1">Object. <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be present. Contains <code>type</code> (one of <code>single</code>,
<code>group</code>, <code>workflow</code>, <code>domain</code>) and the corresponding target
identifier.<a href="#section-3.4-5.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-3.4-5.5">
<code>override_action</code>:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-3.4-5.6">
<p id="section-3.4-5.6.1">String. <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be present. The action the agent should take.
Values include <code>reconsider</code>, <code>change_behavior</code>, <code>stop</code>,
<code>restrict</code>, and <code>resume</code>.<a href="#section-3.4-5.6.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-3.4-5.7">
<code>override_reason</code>:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-3.4-5.8">
<p id="section-3.4-5.8.1">String. <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be present. Human-readable explanation for the
override.<a href="#section-3.4-5.8.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-3.4-5.9">
<code>override_expiry</code>:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-3.4-5.10">
<p id="section-3.4-5.10.1">Integer (Unix timestamp) or null. If set, the override expires
automatically at this time and the agent resumes its prior mode.
If null, the override persists until explicitly lifted.<a href="#section-3.4-5.10.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
<dt id="section-3.4-5.11">
<code>nonce</code>:</dt>
<dd style="margin-left: 1.5em" id="section-3.4-5.12">
<p id="section-3.4-5.12.1">String. <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be present. A random value to prevent replay
attacks.<a href="#section-3.4-5.12.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</dd>
<dd class="break"></dd>
</dl>
<div id="delivery-mechanisms">
<section id="section-3.4.1">
<h4 id="name-delivery-mechanisms">
<a href="#section-3.4.1" class="section-number selfRef">3.4.1. </a><a href="#name-delivery-mechanisms" class="section-name selfRef">Delivery Mechanisms</a>
</h4>
<div id="push-webhook">
<section id="section-3.4.1.1">
<h5 id="name-push-webhook">
<a href="#section-3.4.1.1" class="section-number selfRef">3.4.1.1. </a><a href="#name-push-webhook" class="section-name selfRef">Push (Webhook)</a>
</h5>
<p id="section-3.4.1.1-1">The override dispatcher sends the signed override signal as an
HTTP POST <span>[<a href="#RFC9110" class="cite xref">RFC9110</a>]</span> to the agent's override endpoint:<a href="#section-3.4.1.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-push-delivery"></span><div id="fig-push">
<figure id="figure-3">
<div class="alignLeft art-text artwork" id="section-3.4.1.1-2.1">
<pre>
POST /.well-known/agent-override HTTP/1.1
Host: agent.example.com
Content-Type: application/jose
Authorization: Bearer &lt;operator-jwt&gt;
&lt;signed-override-signal&gt;
</pre>
</div>
<figcaption><a href="#figure-3" class="selfRef">Figure 3</a>:
<a href="#name-push-delivery" class="selfRef">Push Delivery</a>
</figcaption></figure>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="pull-polling-endpoint">
<section id="section-3.4.1.2">
<h5 id="name-pull-polling-endpoint">
<a href="#section-3.4.1.2" class="section-number selfRef">3.4.1.2. </a><a href="#name-pull-polling-endpoint" class="section-name selfRef">Pull (Polling Endpoint)</a>
</h5>
<p id="section-3.4.1.2-1">Agents that cannot receive inbound connections <span class="bcp14">MAY</span> poll for
pending overrides:<a href="#section-3.4.1.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-pull-delivery"></span><div id="fig-pull">
<figure id="figure-4">
<div class="alignLeft art-text artwork" id="section-3.4.1.2-2.1">
<pre>
GET /.well-known/agent-override/pending HTTP/1.1
Host: override-service.example.com
Authorization: Bearer &lt;agent-jwt&gt;
</pre>
</div>
<figcaption><a href="#figure-4" class="selfRef">Figure 4</a>:
<a href="#name-pull-delivery" class="selfRef">Pull Delivery</a>
</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p id="section-3.4.1.2-3">The polling interval <span class="bcp14">SHOULD NOT</span> exceed 10 seconds. For
Emergency overrides, agents relying on pull delivery <span class="bcp14">MUST</span>
poll at least every 5 seconds.<a href="#section-3.4.1.2-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="broadcast">
<section id="section-3.4.1.3">
<h5 id="name-broadcast">
<a href="#section-3.4.1.3" class="section-number selfRef">3.4.1.3. </a><a href="#name-broadcast" class="section-name selfRef">Broadcast</a>
</h5>
<p id="section-3.4.1.3-1">For domain-wide or group overrides, the dispatcher <span class="bcp14">MAY</span> use a
broadcast mechanism. The dispatcher fans out the override
signal to all matching agents and collects acknowledgments.<a href="#section-3.4.1.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-broadcast-delivery"></span><div id="fig-broadcast">
<figure id="figure-5">
<div class="alignLeft art-text artwork" id="section-3.4.1.3-2.1">
<pre>
POST /override/broadcast HTTP/1.1
Host: override-service.example.com
Content-Type: application/jose
&lt;signed-override-signal with target_domain or target_group&gt;
</pre>
</div>
<figcaption><a href="#figure-5" class="selfRef">Figure 5</a>:
<a href="#name-broadcast-delivery" class="selfRef">Broadcast Delivery</a>
</figcaption></figure>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="override-endpoint-discovery">
<section id="section-3.5">
<h3 id="name-override-endpoint-discovery">
<a href="#section-3.5" class="section-number selfRef">3.5. </a><a href="#name-override-endpoint-discovery" class="section-name selfRef">Override Endpoint Discovery</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-3.5-1">Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> advertise their override endpoint at the well-known
URI <code>/.well-known/agent-override</code> per <span>[<a href="#RFC9110" class="cite xref">RFC9110</a>]</span>.<a href="#section-3.5-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-3.5-2">A GET request to <code>/.well-known/agent-override</code> <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> return the
agent's override capabilities:<a href="#section-3.5-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-override-capability-adverti"></span><div id="fig-discovery">
<figure id="figure-6">
<div class="lang-json sourcecode" id="section-3.5-3.1">
<pre>
{
"agent_id": "spiffe://example.com/agent/firewall-mgr",
"supported_levels": [1, 2, 3],
"delivery_mechanisms": ["push", "pull"],
"max_response_time_ms": 1000,
"status_endpoint": "/.well-known/agent-override/status",
"protocol_version": "1.0"
}
</pre>
</div>
<figcaption><a href="#figure-6" class="selfRef">Figure 6</a>:
<a href="#name-override-capability-adverti" class="selfRef">Override Capability Advertisement</a>
</figcaption></figure>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="compliance-and-verification">
<section id="section-4">
<h2 id="name-compliance-and-verification">
<a href="#section-4" class="section-number selfRef">4. </a><a href="#name-compliance-and-verification" class="section-name selfRef">Compliance and Verification</a>
</h2>
<div id="acknowledgment-protocol">
<section id="section-4.1">
<h3 id="name-acknowledgment-protocol">
<a href="#section-4.1" class="section-number selfRef">4.1. </a><a href="#name-acknowledgment-protocol" class="section-name selfRef">Acknowledgment Protocol</a>
</h3>
<div id="override-receipt-acknowledgment">
<section id="section-4.1.1">
<h4 id="name-override-receipt-acknowledg">
<a href="#section-4.1.1" class="section-number selfRef">4.1.1. </a><a href="#name-override-receipt-acknowledg" class="section-name selfRef">Override Receipt Acknowledgment</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.1.1-1">Upon receiving an override signal, the agent <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> respond with an
acknowledgment within the following timeframes:<a href="#section-4.1.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.1-2.1">
<p id="section-4.1.1-2.1.1">Level 1 (Advisory): 5 seconds<a href="#section-4.1.1-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.1-2.2">
<p id="section-4.1.1-2.2.1">Level 2 (Mandatory): 2 seconds<a href="#section-4.1.1-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.1.1-2.3">
<p id="section-4.1.1-2.3.1">Level 3 (Emergency): 1 second<a href="#section-4.1.1-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="section-4.1.1-3">The acknowledgment is an ECT with <code>exec_act</code> set to the
appropriate override acknowledgment value:<a href="#section-4.1.1-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-override-receipt-acknowledgm"></span><div id="fig-ack">
<figure id="figure-7">
<div class="lang-json sourcecode" id="section-4.1.1-4.1">
<pre>
{
"exec_act": "override_ack",
"par": ["&lt;override-signal-jti&gt;"],
"ext": {
"override.status": "received",
"override.level": 3,
"override.prior_state": "autonomous",
"override.effective_at": "2026-03-06T12:00:00.123Z"
}
}
</pre>
</div>
<figcaption><a href="#figure-7" class="selfRef">Figure 7</a>:
<a href="#name-override-receipt-acknowledgm" class="selfRef">Override Receipt Acknowledgment ECT</a>
</figcaption></figure>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="compliance-confirmation">
<section id="section-4.1.2">
<h4 id="name-compliance-confirmation">
<a href="#section-4.1.2" class="section-number selfRef">4.1.2. </a><a href="#name-compliance-confirmation" class="section-name selfRef">Compliance Confirmation</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.1.2-1">After the agent has changed its behavior in response to the
override, it <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> emit a compliance confirmation ECT:<a href="#section-4.1.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-compliance-confirmation-ect"></span><div id="fig-compliance">
<figure id="figure-8">
<div class="lang-json sourcecode" id="section-4.1.2-2.1">
<pre>
{
"exec_act": "override_complied",
"par": ["&lt;ack-ect-jti&gt;"],
"ext": {
"override.status": "complied",
"override.current_state": "stopped",
"override.actions_terminated": 3,
"override.evidence": "All autonomous tasks halted"
}
}
</pre>
</div>
<figcaption><a href="#figure-8" class="selfRef">Figure 8</a>:
<a href="#name-compliance-confirmation-ect" class="selfRef">Compliance Confirmation ECT</a>
</figcaption></figure>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="non-compliance-reporting-and-escalation">
<section id="section-4.1.3">
<h4 id="name-non-compliance-reporting-an">
<a href="#section-4.1.3" class="section-number selfRef">4.1.3. </a><a href="#name-non-compliance-reporting-an" class="section-name selfRef">Non-Compliance Reporting and Escalation</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.1.3-1">For Level 1 (Advisory) overrides, the agent <span class="bcp14">MAY</span> decline to
comply. In this case, the agent <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> emit a non-compliance ECT:<a href="#section-4.1.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-non-compliance-ect-advisory"></span><div id="fig-noncompliance">
<figure id="figure-9">
<div class="lang-json sourcecode" id="section-4.1.3-2.1">
<pre>
{
"exec_act": "override_declined",
"par": ["&lt;override-signal-jti&gt;"],
"ext": {
"override.status": "declined",
"override.reason": "Action is within policy bounds",
"override.level": 1
}
}
</pre>
</div>
<figcaption><a href="#figure-9" class="selfRef">Figure 9</a>:
<a href="#name-non-compliance-ect-advisory" class="selfRef">Non-Compliance ECT (Advisory Only)</a>
</figcaption></figure>
</div>
<p id="section-4.1.3-3">For Level 2 and Level 3 overrides, the agent <span class="bcp14">MUST NOT</span> decline.
If the agent cannot fully comply (e.g., due to hardware
limitations), it <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> report partial compliance with a
description of what could not be done. The override dispatcher
<span class="bcp14">MUST</span> escalate partial compliance to the operator.<a href="#section-4.1.3-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="compliance-verification">
<section id="section-4.2">
<h3 id="name-compliance-verification">
<a href="#section-4.2" class="section-number selfRef">4.2. </a><a href="#name-compliance-verification" class="section-name selfRef">Compliance Verification</a>
</h3>
<div id="behavioral-verification-post-override">
<section id="section-4.2.1">
<h4 id="name-behavioral-verification-pos">
<a href="#section-4.2.1" class="section-number selfRef">4.2.1. </a><a href="#name-behavioral-verification-pos" class="section-name selfRef">Behavioral Verification Post-Override</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.2.1-1">After an agent acknowledges an override, the compliance
verification system <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> monitor the agent's subsequent
behavior to confirm the override was actually applied.
Verification methods include:<a href="#section-4.2.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.1-2.1">
<p id="section-4.2.1-2.1.1">Observing that the agent's ECT emissions cease (for Level 3)<a href="#section-4.2.1-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.1-2.2">
<p id="section-4.2.1-2.2.1">Checking that subsequent ECTs contain only permitted actions
(for Level 2 with restrictions)<a href="#section-4.2.1-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.2.1-2.3">
<p id="section-4.2.1-2.3.1">Querying the agent's status endpoint<a href="#section-4.2.1-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="timeout-and-retry-semantics">
<section id="section-4.2.2">
<h4 id="name-timeout-and-retry-semantics">
<a href="#section-4.2.2" class="section-number selfRef">4.2.2. </a><a href="#name-timeout-and-retry-semantics" class="section-name selfRef">Timeout and Retry Semantics</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.2.2-1">If the agent does not acknowledge within the required timeframe:<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 dispatcher <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> retry the override signal once after 2
seconds.<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">If no acknowledgment is received after the retry, the
dispatcher <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> escalate to the operator.<a href="#section-4.2.2-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-4.2.2-2.3">
<p id="section-4.2.2-2.3.1">For Level 3 (Emergency) overrides, the dispatcher <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span>
attempt alternative delivery mechanisms (e.g., switching from
push to broadcast).<a href="#section-4.2.2-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-4.2.2-2.4">
<p id="section-4.2.2-2.4.1">If all delivery attempts fail, the graceful degradation
policy applies (see <a href="#graceful-degradation" class="auto internal xref">Section 4.3</a>).<a href="#section-4.2.2-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ol>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="graceful-degradation">
<section id="section-4.3">
<h3 id="name-graceful-degradation">
<a href="#section-4.3" class="section-number selfRef">4.3. </a><a href="#name-graceful-degradation" class="section-name selfRef">Graceful Degradation</a>
</h3>
<div id="unreachable-override-target">
<section id="section-4.3.1">
<h4 id="name-unreachable-override-target">
<a href="#section-4.3.1" class="section-number selfRef">4.3.1. </a><a href="#name-unreachable-override-target" class="section-name selfRef">Unreachable Override Target</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.3.1-1">When the override target agent is unreachable, the system <span class="bcp14">MUST</span>:<a href="#section-4.3.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ol start="1" type="1" class="normal type-1" id="section-4.3.1-2">
<li id="section-4.3.1-2.1">
<p id="section-4.3.1-2.1.1">Log an ECT with <code>exec_act</code>: <code>"override_delivery_failed"</code>
documenting the failure.<a href="#section-4.3.1-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-4.3.1-2.2">
<p id="section-4.3.1-2.2.1">Notify the operator of the delivery failure.<a href="#section-4.3.1-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-4.3.1-2.3">
<p id="section-4.3.1-2.3.1">Attempt delivery via alternative mechanisms.<a href="#section-4.3.1-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ol>
</section>
</div>
<div id="failsafe-defaults">
<section id="section-4.3.2">
<h4 id="name-failsafe-defaults">
<a href="#section-4.3.2" class="section-number selfRef">4.3.2. </a><a href="#name-failsafe-defaults" class="section-name selfRef">Failsafe Defaults</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.3.2-1">Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> implement a dead man's switch: if the agent loses
contact with the override service for a configurable duration
(default: 90 seconds), the agent <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> enter a failsafe state
equivalent to Level 2 (Mandatory) with restricted operations.<a href="#section-4.3.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<p id="section-4.3.2-2">The failsafe policy is configured in the agent's ACP-DAG-HITL
policy and <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> specify one of:<a href="#section-4.3.2-2" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ul class="normal">
<li class="normal" id="section-4.3.2-3.1">
<p id="section-4.3.2-3.1.1"><code>safe_pause</code>: Enter Level 2 with read-only operations permitted.<a href="#section-4.3.2-3.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.3.2-3.2">
<p id="section-4.3.2-3.2.1"><code>full_stop</code>: Enter Level 3 equivalent (cease all actions).<a href="#section-4.3.2-3.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li class="normal" id="section-4.3.2-3.3">
<p id="section-4.3.2-3.3.1"><code>continue_logged</code>: Continue operating but emit warning ECTs at
elevated frequency. This option is only permitted at HITL
intensity I0 or I1.<a href="#section-4.3.2-3.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
</section>
</div>
<div id="proxy-override-for-offline-agents">
<section id="section-4.3.3">
<h4 id="name-proxy-override-for-offline-">
<a href="#section-4.3.3" class="section-number selfRef">4.3.3. </a><a href="#name-proxy-override-for-offline-" class="section-name selfRef">Proxy Override for Offline Agents</a>
</h4>
<p id="section-4.3.3-1">When an agent is offline, the override dispatcher <span class="bcp14">MAY</span> apply the
override to the agent's proxy or orchestrator. The proxy <span class="bcp14">MUST</span>:<a href="#section-4.3.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ol start="1" type="1" class="normal type-1" id="section-4.3.3-2">
<li id="section-4.3.3-2.1">
<p id="section-4.3.3-2.1.1">Queue the override signal for delivery when the agent
reconnects.<a href="#section-4.3.3-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-4.3.3-2.2">
<p id="section-4.3.3-2.2.1">Prevent new tasks from being dispatched to the offline agent.<a href="#section-4.3.3-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-4.3.3-2.3">
<p id="section-4.3.3-2.3.1">Emit an ECT recording the proxy override action.<a href="#section-4.3.3-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p id="section-4.3.3-3">When the agent reconnects, the proxy <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> deliver the queued
override signal. The agent <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> process it as if it were
received in real time, applying the override level and action
specified.<a href="#section-4.3.3-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="integration-with-acp-dag-hitl-and-ect">
<section id="section-5">
<h2 id="name-integration-with-acp-dag-hi">
<a href="#section-5" class="section-number selfRef">5. </a><a href="#name-integration-with-acp-dag-hi" class="section-name selfRef">Integration with ACP-DAG-HITL and ECT</a>
</h2>
<div id="override-authorization-via-acp-policy">
<section id="section-5.1">
<h3 id="name-override-authorization-via-">
<a href="#section-5.1" class="section-number selfRef">5.1. </a><a href="#name-override-authorization-via-" class="section-name selfRef">Override Authorization via ACP Policy</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-5.1-1">Override authority is governed by ACP-DAG-HITL policy tokens
<span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety</a>]</span>. The policy token
specifies:<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">Which operator roles are authorized for each override level.<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">Which agents or agent groups each role may override.<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">Escalation chains when primary operators are unavailable.<a href="#section-5.1-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="section-5.1-3">The override dispatcher <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> verify the operator's JWT against
the ACP policy before routing the override signal. An override
signal from an unauthorized operator <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be rejected with HTTP
403 and logged as a security event.<a href="#section-5.1-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="override-events-as-ect-nodes">
<section id="section-5.2">
<h3 id="name-override-events-as-ect-node">
<a href="#section-5.2" class="section-number selfRef">5.2. </a><a href="#name-override-events-as-ect-node" class="section-name selfRef">Override Events as ECT Nodes</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-5.2-1">Every override interaction produces ECT nodes
<span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect</a>]</span> that are linked into the workflow
DAG:<a href="#section-5.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-override-ect-exec_act-value"></span><div id="fig-ect-actions">
<table class="center" id="table-1">
<caption>
<a href="#table-1" class="selfRef">Table 1</a>:
<a href="#name-override-ect-exec_act-value" class="selfRef">Override ECT exec_act Values</a>
</caption>
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Event</th>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">exec_act value</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Advisory override issued</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_advisory</code>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Mandatory override issued</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_mandatory</code>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Emergency override issued</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_emergency</code>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override acknowledged</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_ack</code>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override complied</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_complied</code>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override declined (Advisory only)</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_declined</code>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override delivery failed</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_delivery_failed</code>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override lifted</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_lifted</code>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override expired</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_expired</code>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p id="section-5.2-3">Each override ECT references the triggering override signal's
<code>jti</code> via the <code>par</code> claim, maintaining the causal chain in the
DAG.<a href="#section-5.2-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="override-audit-trail">
<section id="section-5.3">
<h3 id="name-override-audit-trail">
<a href="#section-5.3" class="section-number selfRef">5.3. </a><a href="#name-override-audit-trail" class="section-name selfRef">Override Audit Trail</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-5.3-1">The sequence of override ECTs provides a complete,
tamper-evident audit trail:<a href="#section-5.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ol start="1" type="1" class="normal type-1" id="section-5.3-2">
<li id="section-5.3-2.1">
<p id="section-5.3-2.1.1">The operator issues an override (override ECT with operator
identity, reason, and level).<a href="#section-5.3-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-5.3-2.2">
<p id="section-5.3-2.2.1">The agent acknowledges (ack ECT linked to override ECT).<a href="#section-5.3-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-5.3-2.3">
<p id="section-5.3-2.3.1">The agent confirms compliance (compliance ECT linked to ack
ECT).<a href="#section-5.3-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-5.3-2.4">
<p id="section-5.3-2.4.1">Optionally, the operator lifts the override (lift ECT linked
to override ECT).<a href="#section-5.3-2.4.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p id="section-5.3-3">At AEM assurance level L3, all override ECTs <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be committed
to the immutable audit ledger.<a href="#section-5.3-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</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="unauthorized-override-attempts">
<section id="section-6.1">
<h3 id="name-unauthorized-override-attem">
<a href="#section-6.1" class="section-number selfRef">6.1. </a><a href="#name-unauthorized-override-attem" class="section-name selfRef">Unauthorized Override Attempts</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-6.1-1">Override signals that fail authentication or authorization <span class="bcp14">MUST</span>
be rejected. The agent <span class="bcp14">MUST NOT</span> alter its behavior in response
to an unsigned or improperly signed override signal. All
rejected override attempts <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> be logged with the source
identity (if available) and the reason for rejection.<a href="#section-6.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="replay-protection-for-override-signals">
<section id="section-6.2">
<h3 id="name-replay-protection-for-overr">
<a href="#section-6.2" class="section-number selfRef">6.2. </a><a href="#name-replay-protection-for-overr" class="section-name selfRef">Replay Protection for Override Signals</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-6.2-1">Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> reject override signals with:<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">An <code>iat</code> claim more than 30 seconds in the past.<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">A <code>jti</code> that matches a previously processed override signal.<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">A missing or invalid <code>nonce</code> claim.<a href="#section-6.2-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="section-6.2-3">Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> maintain a cache of recently processed <code>jti</code> values
for at least 5 minutes to detect replays.<a href="#section-6.2-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="override-signal-tampering">
<section id="section-6.3">
<h3 id="name-override-signal-tampering">
<a href="#section-6.3" class="section-number selfRef">6.3. </a><a href="#name-override-signal-tampering" class="section-name selfRef">Override Signal Tampering</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-6.3-1">Override signals are signed JWTs. Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> verify the
signature against the operator's public key (as registered in
ACP-DAG-HITL policy) before processing. Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> reject
signals with invalid or expired signatures.<a href="#section-6.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="denial-of-service-via-override-flooding">
<section id="section-6.4">
<h3 id="name-denial-of-service-via-overr">
<a href="#section-6.4" class="section-number selfRef">6.4. </a><a href="#name-denial-of-service-via-overr" class="section-name selfRef">Denial-of-Service via Override Flooding</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-6.4-1">To prevent abuse, agents <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> implement rate limiting on the
override endpoint:<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">Level 1 (Advisory): Maximum 10 signals per minute per operator.<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">Level 2 (Mandatory): Maximum 5 signals per minute per operator.<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">Level 3 (Emergency): No rate limit (to ensure emergency
overrides are never blocked), but agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> log high-frequency
Emergency overrides as potential abuse.<a href="#section-6.4-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ul>
<p id="section-6.4-3">The override endpoint <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> be served on a separate port or
network interface from the agent's main API to ensure
availability during overload conditions.<a href="#section-6.4-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</section>
</div>
<div id="authority-impersonation">
<section id="section-6.5">
<h3 id="name-authority-impersonation">
<a href="#section-6.5" class="section-number selfRef">6.5. </a><a href="#name-authority-impersonation" class="section-name selfRef">Authority Impersonation</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-6.5-1">Agents <span class="bcp14">MUST</span> verify override authority by:<a href="#section-6.5-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<ol start="1" type="1" class="normal type-1" id="section-6.5-2">
<li id="section-6.5-2.1">
<p id="section-6.5-2.1.1">Validating the operator JWT signature against trusted keys.<a href="#section-6.5-2.1.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-6.5-2.2">
<p id="section-6.5-2.2.1">Confirming the operator's role matches the required role for
the override level.<a href="#section-6.5-2.2.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
<li id="section-6.5-2.3">
<p id="section-6.5-2.3.1">Verifying the operator is authorized to override the
specific target agent(s) per ACP policy.<a href="#section-6.5-2.3.1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</li>
</ol>
<p id="section-6.5-3">Deployments <span class="bcp14">SHOULD</span> implement multi-operator approval for Level 3
(Emergency) overrides affecting domain-wide scope, requiring two
independent operator JWTs.<a href="#section-6.5-3" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
</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="well-known-uri-registration">
<section id="section-7.1">
<h3 id="name-well-known-uri-registration">
<a href="#section-7.1" class="section-number selfRef">7.1. </a><a href="#name-well-known-uri-registration" class="section-name selfRef">Well-Known URI Registration</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-7.1-1">This document requests registration of the following well-known
URI suffix per <span>[<a href="#RFC9110" class="cite xref">RFC9110</a>]</span>:<a href="#section-7.1-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-well-known-uri-registration-2"></span><div id="fig-wellknown">
<table class="center" id="table-2">
<caption>
<a href="#table-2" class="selfRef">Table 2</a>:
<a href="#name-well-known-uri-registration-2" class="selfRef">Well-Known URI Registration</a>
</caption>
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">URI Suffix</th>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Description</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>agent-override</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Agent override endpoint for receiving override signals, querying capabilities, and reporting status</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="override-execact-values">
<section id="section-7.2">
<h3 id="name-override-exec_act-values">
<a href="#section-7.2" class="section-number selfRef">7.2. </a><a href="#name-override-exec_act-values" class="section-name selfRef">Override exec_act Values</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-7.2-1">This document requests registration of the following <code>exec_act</code>
values in the ECT Action Type Registry:<a href="#section-7.2-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-override-exec_act-value-reg"></span><div id="fig-iana-actions">
<table class="center" id="table-3">
<caption>
<a href="#table-3" class="selfRef">Table 3</a>:
<a href="#name-override-exec_act-value-reg" class="selfRef">Override exec_act Value Registrations</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">
<code>override_advisory</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Advisory override signal issued</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_mandatory</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Mandatory override signal issued</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_emergency</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Emergency override signal issued</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_ack</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Agent acknowledgment of override</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_complied</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Agent confirmed compliance</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_declined</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Agent declined advisory override</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_delivery_failed</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override delivery failure</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_lifted</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override explicitly lifted</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_expired</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override expired by TTL</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</section>
</div>
<div id="override-jwt-claims">
<section id="section-7.3">
<h3 id="name-override-jwt-claims">
<a href="#section-7.3" class="section-number selfRef">7.3. </a><a href="#name-override-jwt-claims" class="section-name selfRef">Override JWT Claims</a>
</h3>
<p id="section-7.3-1">This document requests registration of the following JWT claims
in the IANA JSON Web Token Claims registry:<a href="#section-7.3-1" class="pilcrow"></a></p>
<span id="name-override-jwt-claim-registra"></span><div id="fig-iana-claims">
<table class="center" id="table-4">
<caption>
<a href="#table-4" class="selfRef">Table 4</a>:
<a href="#name-override-jwt-claim-registra" class="selfRef">Override JWT Claim Registrations</a>
</caption>
<thead>
<tr>
<th class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Claim Name</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">
<code>override_level</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override authority level (1-3)</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_scope</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Target scope of the override</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_action</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Directed action for the agent</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_reason</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Human-readable override justification</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">
<code>override_expiry</code>
</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">Override expiration timestamp</td>
<td class="text-left" rowspan="1" colspan="1">This document</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
</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 of IETF Standards for Agentic AI Workflows"</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>
</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">This document absorbs and supersedes the override protocol aspects
of the Human Emergency Override Protocol (HEOP) and the HITL
Primitives specification. The override level design is inspired
by industrial safety systems (IEC 62061, ISO 13849). The protocol
integrates with the Agent Context Policy Token
<span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-agent-dag-hitl-safety</a>]</span> for authorization and the
Execution Context Token <span>[<a href="#I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect" class="cite xref">I-D.nennemann-wimse-ect</a>]</span> for audit.<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>
<script>const toc = document.getElementById("toc");
toc.querySelector("h2").addEventListener("click", e => {
toc.classList.toggle("active");
});
toc.querySelector("nav").addEventListener("click", e => {
toc.classList.remove("active");
});
</script>
</body>
</html>