PROTOCOL

"The name activates the tradition."

K-lines as semantic activation. When you invoke a protocol by name, you activate an entire constellation of knowledge and behavior.

Core Concept

A protocol is a named pattern that the LLM already knows. Invoking it by name activates that knowledge without needing to repeat it.

Why This Works

# Traditional approach: Explain everything
"When writing YAML, use natural keys, add comments for humans and LLMs,
keep structure flexible, use semantic naming, allow improvisation..."
# [500 tokens of explanation]

# K-line approach: Name activates pattern
> Apply YAML-JAZZ

# The LLM already knows. One name = 500 tokens compressed.

Minsky's Insight

"A K-line is a wirelike structure that attaches itself to whichever mental agents are active when you solve a problem. When activated later, those agents are partially activated, creating a similar mental state."
— Marvin Minsky, Society of Mind (1986)

MOOLLM protocols ARE K-lines. The name IS the activation vector.

Methods

INVOKE

Activate a protocol by name.

> INVOKE POSTEL
# Activates: "Be liberal in what you accept, conservative in what you emit"
# Plus: ASK when uncertain, robustness principles, defensive parsing

DEFINE

Create a new protocol.

> DEFINE WAFFLE-PARTY AS "Celebratory gathering requiring Form WP-7"
# Now WAFFLE-PARTY is a K-line that activates this context

LIST

Show available protocols.

> LIST PROTOCOLS
ADVENTURE, BOOTSTRAP, INCARNATION, POSTEL, PSIBER,
SPEED-OF-LIGHT, YAML-JAZZ, ...

K-REF

Emit a file pointer with metadata.

Format: PATH[:LINE[-END]][#anchor][?search] # TYPE - DESC

Examples:
/path/file.txt:42 # secret 🔴
/path/screenshot.png # image - Cursor can read!
/path/schema.yml#field.name # k-line
@central/apps/insights/brain/Schema.py:142-200 # code - Schema class

K-REF Format

Full syntax:

PATH[:LINE[-END]][#anchor][?search] # TYPE - DESC

Special types:

• # secret 🔴 — Sensitive content
• # image — Cursor can read images from absolute paths!
• # k-line — Semantic activation point
• # code — Source code reference

SISTER-SCRIPT Pattern

Tools emit K-REFs, LLM reads selectively.

The Pattern

# Tool (Python/shell) runs and emits:
print("/logs/2026-01-28.log:147 # error - Database timeout")
print("/logs/2026-01-28.log:892 # error - Memory exhausted")
print("/logs/2026-01-28.log:1203 # warning - Slow query")
print("/config/db.yml # config - Database settings")

LLM Behavior

1. Scans the K-REF list
2. Decides which to read based on task
3. Reads only relevant files/sections
4. Avoids loading everything

Key insight: Scan and point, not dump.

Core Protocols

Protocol Activation Cascade

When you invoke a protocol, related concepts activate:

> INVOKE YAML-JAZZ

# Activates:
- yaml-jazz/SKILL.md content
- Related: POSTEL (be liberal), plain-text (forever accessible)
- Patterns: Semantic comments, natural keys, improvisational structure
- Anti-patterns: Cryptic keys, missing comments, rigid schemas
- Emotional tone: Jazzy, playful, improvisational

This is why K-lines are so powerful — one name activates a network of knowledge.

Why Tier 0

This skill is tier 0 because:

• It's foundational to all other skills
• Every skill name IS a protocol
• Understanding K-lines is essential to understanding MOOLLM

Dovetails With

• [../k-lines/](../k-lines/) — Naming conventions and K-line formatting
• [../naming/](../naming/) — Big-endian semantic file naming
• [../skill/](../skill/) — Skills are invokable protocols
• [../bootstrap/](../bootstrap/) — Session startup protocol
• [../yaml-jazz/](../yaml-jazz/) — The YAML-JAZZ protocol

"Speak the name. Become the pattern."