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
| Component | Purpose | Example |
|-----------|---------|---------|
| PATH | File location | /path/file.yml |
| :LINE | Specific line | :42 |
| [-END] | Line range | :42-67 |
| #anchor | YAML path / section | #field.name |
| ?search | Search term | ?error |
| # TYPE | Content type | # secret, # image |
| - DESC | Description | - The Schema class |
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
- Scans the K-REF list
- Decides which to read based on task
- Reads only relevant files/sections
- Avoids loading everything
Key insight: Scan and point, not dump.
Core Protocols
| Protocol | Activates |
|----------|-----------|
| ADVENTURE | Text adventure patterns, room navigation |
| YAML-JAZZ | Flexible YAML with semantic comments |
| BOOTSTRAP | Session startup, context assembly |
| PSIBER | Data as navigable room (HyperCard heritage) |
| POSTEL | Liberal accept, conservative emit, ASK |
| INCARNATION | Gold-standard character creation |
| SPEED-OF-LIGHT | Many turns in one LLM call |
| HERO-STORY | Safe real-person references |
| TREKIFICATION | Privacy masking protocol |
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/ — Naming conventions and K-line formatting
- ../naming/ — Big-endian semantic file naming
- ../skill/ — Skills are invokable protocols
- ../bootstrap/ — Session startup protocol
- ../yaml-jazz/ — The YAML-JAZZ protocol
"Speak the name. Become the pattern."