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Specification Overview

The Structured Context Specification (SCS) defines how to create, validate, version, and deploy structured context for AI systems.

Current Version: v0.3 (actively evolving)

SCDs are YAML files containing structured context organized by tier:

  • Meta Tier (scd:meta:*): SCS specification language itself
  • Standards Tier (scd:standards:*): External compliance requirements
  • Project Tier (scd:project:*): Company/project-specific context

Bundles are versioned packages of SCDs with:

  • Unique ID (bundle:<name>:<version>)
  • Type (meta, standards, domain, concern, project)
  • List of SCDs
  • Imports (dependency bundles)
  • Provenance (who, when, why)
  • What: Universal SCS vocabulary
  • Who: SCS (platform owner)
  • Cardinality: 1 per ecosystem
  • Example: bundle:meta:1.0.0
  • What: External regulatory requirements
  • Who: Standards bodies (CHAI, NIST, AICPA)
  • Cardinality: Many (one per standard)
  • Examples: bundle:hipaa:1.0.0, bundle:soc2:1.0.0
  • What: Company knowledge aggregator ⭐
  • Who: CTO/CIO (C-suite owned)
  • Cardinality: 1 per company
  • Imports: ≥1 concern bundle
  • Example: bundle:acme-health-corp:1.0.0
  • What: Functional area standards (leaf nodes)
  • Who: VPs/Directors (Architect, CISO, CMO, CDO)
  • Cardinality: Variable (based on needs)
  • Examples: bundle:acme-architecture:1.0.0, bundle:acme-security:1.0.0
  • What: Individual initiative (AI entry point)
  • Who: Product/Project Managers
  • Cardinality: Many (one per project)
  • Imports: Typically imports domain bundle
  • Example: bundle:prior-auth-app:1.0.0
Project Bundle (AI uses this)
↓ imports
Domain Bundle (Company aggregator)
↓ imports
Concern Bundles (Architecture, Security, Clinical)
↓ may import
Standards Bundles (HIPAA, SOC2, CHAI)
↓ imports
Meta Bundle (SCS foundation)

Phase 1 (DRAFT): Loose validation

  • Validates YAML structure, bundle fields
  • Does NOT enforce required SCD content
  • Supports spectrum from minimal to full disclosure

Phase 2 (Version): Strict validation

  • All checks enforced before versioning
  • Immutable once published

When a bundle is deployed, imports are recursively resolved:

Input: bundle:prior-auth:1.0.0
Output (resolved):
[
"bundle:prior-auth:1.0.0", # Project
"bundle:acme-health-corp:1.0.0", # Domain
"bundle:acme-architecture:1.0.0", # Concern
"bundle:acme-security:1.0.0", # Concern
"bundle:hipaa:1.0.0", # Standards
"bundle:meta:1.0.0" # Meta
]

All SCDs from all bundles are combined and provided to AI systems.