Visible-Agent-Loop-Protocol

Provider Matrix

The provider matrix records what each agent backend can actually do now.

It is scanned before routing. It is not assumed from memory.

Minimum Fields

{
  "provider_name": "codex",
  "provider_version_or_runtime_report": "unknown",
  "cli_available": true,
  "mcp_support": "supported|unsupported|unknown",
  "skill_discovery_path": "$CODEX_HOME/skills",
  "session_resume_support": "supported|unsupported|unknown",
  "approval_behavior": "manual|auto|policy|unknown",
  "model_selection": "static|dynamic|runtime_default|unknown",
  "max_concurrency": 1,
  "context_policy": {},
  "runtime_preflight": {},
  "known_limitations": [],
  "last_verified_at": "2026-07-03T00:00:00Z"
}

Use unknown instead of guessing.

Evidence Sources

Provider matrix values may come from:

runtime status output
agent CLI version commands
installed skills scan
MCP config scan
official provider documentation
workspace operator configuration
recent successful run evidence
local overlay capability profile, marked as hint only
routing feedback records, marked as historical priors

Marketing claims are not enough. Current local availability matters. Local overlay and feedback data can explain likely fit, but they do not prove current availability.

Fields That Affect Routing

cli_available

If false, the agent cannot receive execution work on that runtime.

mcp_support

Determines whether tasks requiring external tools can be assigned.

skill_discovery_path

Determines whether recommended skills will actually reach the provider.

session_resume_support

Determines whether infrastructure retries can resume safely.

approval_behavior

Determines whether high-risk or tool-heavy work can run headlessly.

context_policy

Determines whether the agent can safely receive more work.

runtime_preflight

Determines whether the runtime agent session, CLI, display size for pane adapters, and update state are ready enough for dispatch.

known_limitations

Must be shown in routing output when they affect the task.

Example Matrix

{
  "generated_at": "2026-07-03T00:00:00Z",
  "runtime_id": "local-daemon-1",
  "providers": [
    {
      "provider_name": "claude-code",
      "cli_available": true,
      "mcp_support": "supported",
      "skill_discovery_path": ".claude/skills/",
      "session_resume_support": "supported",
      "approval_behavior": "provider_policy",
      "known_limitations": []
    },
    {
      "provider_name": "hermes",
      "cli_available": true,
      "mcp_support": "supported",
      "skill_discovery_path": ".agent_context/skills/",
      "session_resume_support": "supported",
      "approval_behavior": "provider_policy",
      "known_limitations": ["skill discovery path must be verified for this runtime"]
    }
  ]
}

Routing Rule

The matrix is evidence, not authority. It cannot bypass approval gates, context compression, receipt gates, or profile-specific verification.

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