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SW4RM Protocol Extensions

This directory contains optional protocol extensions that build on the core SW4RM specification. Extensions are identified by the prefix SW4-NNN and follow a consistent structure.

Related documents:

Extension Index

ID Title Status Extends
SW4-001 Failure Semantics Draft Core §17.5
SW4-002 Timeout Profiles Draft Core §5, OPERATIONAL_CONTRACTS
SW4-003 Observability Draft Core §4

Extension Philosophy

The core SW4RM specification is intentionally minimal, defining only the essential coordination primitives. Extensions provide:

  • Production hardening: Failure semantics, timeout tuning, observability
  • Optional features: Advanced consensus, security enhancements
  • Implementation guidance: Best practices, patterns, anti-patterns

Extensions are OPTIONAL unless explicitly required by a deployment profile.

Conformance Levels

Implementations may claim conformance to specific extensions:

  • Core Only: Implements core spec, no extensions
  • Core + SW4-001: Adds failure semantics
  • Core + SW4-001 + SW4-002 + SW4-003: Production-ready profile

Extension Lifecycle

  1. Draft: Initial proposal, open for feedback
  2. Candidate: Implementation experience gathered
  3. Stable: Proven in production, normative
  4. Deprecated: Superseded by newer extension

Contributing

To propose a new extension:

  1. Create SW4-NNN-title.md following the template
  2. Assign the next available ID
  3. Submit for review
  4. Gather implementation feedback

Template

# SW4-NNN: Title

**Status:** Draft
**Version:** 0.1.0
**Date:** YYYY-MM-DD
**Extends:** Core Spec §X.Y

## Abstract
[One paragraph summary]

## Motivation
[Why this extension is needed]

## Specification
[Normative requirements]

## Implementation Requirements
[MUST/SHOULD/MAY requirements]

## Compatibility
[Backward compatibility notes]

## References
[Related specs and extensions]

Last updated: 2026-01-10