// SPDX-License-Identifier: CC-BY-SA-4.0
= K9 Contractiles
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== What Are K9 Contractiles?

K9 contractiles are self-validating components that combine configuration, validation, and deployment logic in a single file format. They implement the RSR principle of "self-describing artifacts" by embedding contracts and orchestration directly in the component.

== The Three Security Levels

K9 components declare their trust requirements using "The Leash" security model:

[horizontal]
`'Kennel`:: Pure data, no execution (safest)
`'Yard`:: Nickel evaluation with contracts (medium trust)
`'Hunt`:: Full execution with Just recipes (requires signature)

== Example Components

This directory contains example K9 contractiles for common repository tasks:

=== Kennel Level (Pure Data)

**File:** `examples/project-metadata.k9.ncl`

Pure configuration data with no execution. Safe to include in any repository.

**Use cases:**
- Project metadata (name, version, description)
- Build configuration
- Tool settings
- Data schemas

**Security:** No signature required, data-only.

=== Yard Level (Validated Config)

**File:** `examples/ci-config.k9.ncl`

Configuration with Nickel contracts for runtime validation. Evaluated safely without I/O.

**Use cases:**
- CI/CD configuration with validation
- Deployment parameters
- Database schemas with constraints
- API specifications

**Security:** Signature recommended, Nickel evaluation only.

=== Hunt Level (Full Execution)

**File:** `examples/setup-repo.k9.ncl`

Full execution with Just recipes. Can run shell commands and modify filesystem.

**Use cases:**
- Repository setup scripts
- Deployment automation
- System configuration
- Package installation

**Security:** **Signature required**, full system access.

== Usage in Your Repository

=== 1. Create K9 Components

Choose the appropriate security level for your use case:

[source,bash]
----
# Kennel: Pure configuration
cp .machine_readable/contractiles/k9/examples/project-metadata.k9.ncl config/metadata.k9.ncl

# Yard: Validated configuration
cp .machine_readable/contractiles/k9/examples/ci-config.k9.ncl .github/ci.k9.ncl

# Hunt: Full automation
cp .machine_readable/contractiles/k9/examples/setup-repo.k9.ncl scripts/setup.k9.ncl
----

=== 2. Validate Components

[source,bash]
----
# Validate Nickel syntax and contracts
nickel typecheck config/metadata.k9.ncl

# Verify Hunt-level signature (if signed)
./must verify scripts/setup.k9.ncl
----

=== 3. Execute Components

[source,bash]
----
# Kennel: Export as JSON
nickel export config/metadata.k9.ncl > metadata.json

# Yard: Evaluate with validation
nickel eval .github/ci.k9.ncl

# Hunt: Run with Just (dry-run first!)
./must --dry-run run scripts/setup.k9.ncl
./must run scripts/setup.k9.ncl
----

== Integration with RSR

K9 contractiles integrate with other RSR standards:

**STATE.a2ml**:: K9 components can generate or validate STATE.a2ml
**ECOSYSTEM.a2ml**:: K9 can automate cross-repo operations
**META.a2ml**:: K9 can enforce architectural decisions

== Security Best Practices

=== For Kennel/Yard Components

✅ **Safe to use without signatures** +
✅ **Review Nickel code before use** +
✅ **Validate contracts match expectations**

=== For Hunt Components

⚠️ **ALWAYS verify signatures** +
⚠️ **Review Just recipes carefully** +
⚠️ **Run dry-run mode first** +
⚠️ **Never run as root unless required** +
⚠️ **Sandbox external components**

**See:** https://github.com/hyperpolymath/k9-svc/blob/main/docs/SECURITY-BEST-PRACTICES.adoc

== Template Files

Use these as starting points for your own K9 components:

- `template-kennel.k9.ncl` - Pure data template
- `template-yard.k9.ncl` - Validated config template
- `template-hunt.k9.ncl` - Full execution template

== Dependencies

To use K9 contractiles in your repository:

[source,bash]
----
# Install Nickel (configuration language)
curl -L https://github.com/tweag/nickel/releases/latest/download/nickel-linux-x86_64 -o nickel
chmod +x nickel && sudo mv nickel /usr/local/bin/

# Install Just (task runner, for Hunt level)
cargo install just

# Clone K9-SVC (for must shim and tooling)
git clone https://github.com/hyperpolymath/k9-svc.git
----

== Learn More

- **K9-SVC Specification:** https://github.com/hyperpolymath/k9-svc/blob/main/SPEC.adoc
- **K9 User Guide:** https://github.com/hyperpolymath/k9-svc/blob/main/GUIDE.adoc
- **Security Documentation:** https://github.com/hyperpolymath/k9-svc/blob/main/docs/SECURITY-FAQ.adoc
- **IANA Media Type:** `application/vnd.k9+nickel`

== Contributing

When adding K9 contractiles to your repository:

1. Use appropriate security level (Kennel > Yard > Hunt)
2. Document what each component does
3. Include validation contracts in Yard/Hunt components
4. Sign Hunt-level components before committing
5. Add K9 validation to CI/CD pipeline

**Questions?** Open an issue on https://github.com/hyperpolymath/k9-svc
