specs/node-modes.md

node modesfull node cell light client
cyber specs soft3 cell light client full node spec cyber
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node modes

three modes of participation in the cyber network. all are in scope. they share roots, nullifiers, and finality rules; they differ in storage and how tip trust is obtained.

money loop requirements: money-loop.
light money detail: light-money.

1. modes

full node                 cell (cyb)                    light client
hold / replay             apply my                      headers + fold
all signals               namespaces                    decide(acc)
tri-kernel locally        local notes + sigma           openings only
size: unbounded           size: O(my slice)             size: ~constant
mode tip trust private notes run φ* produce block proofs typical device
full own apply of history yes yes yes (validators) server / desktop
cell apply my slice + completeness; MAY embed light fold yes optional / domain-local no phone / laptop cyb
light clock C: decide + fold secrets only; witnesses via open no no thin phone / embed

production cyb default: cell that embeds light tip (grade 4 via fold, plus local note store and apply of signals that touch the owner). pure light is the thinnest extreme; pure full is the fattest.

2. required capabilities by mode

2.1 full node

MUST:

  • store or recompute state sufficient to serve BBG openings and history
  • verify all signal $\sigma$ it accepts
  • maintain nullifier set consistency with foculus rules
  • compute or verify φ* domain finality as required by its role
  • serve Lens openings and completeness proofs to peers
  • produce folding accumulator contributions if participating in consensus/settlement

MAY:

  • prune archival data if openings and acc still served

2.2 cell (cyb)

MUST:

  • hold neuron secrets and owned notes
  • submit sends (prove Intents)
  • obtain grade-4 tip (fold preferred; continuous completeness minimum)
  • apply or open all signals that credit/debit local neuron
  • emit money-loop events to sense/sigma
  • verify peer openings against tip

MUST NOT:

  • mark money final without grade 2 at trusted tip

SHOULD:

  • multi-device local sync (CRDT) for same identity (structural-sync local merge)

2.3 light client

MUST:

  • implement clock C join: checkpoint → decide(folding_acc) → tip
  • fold each new tip update O(1)
  • verify Lens openings against tip for balance and receive
  • verify own send proofs before broadcast; verify finality evidence for own spends at tip
  • refuse money-grade state if grade 4 missing

MUST NOT:

  • re-execute full history
  • run full tri-kernel as a requirement of money
  • accept balance/receive without tip-bound proof

MAY:

  • cache headers and openings
  • subscribe to push hints (still MUST verify)

3. matrix: money loop × mode

capability full cell light
balance local apply or open open
send prove + gossip prove + gossip prove + gossip (witnesses from peers)
receive detect apply apply / open open + event
receive NOTIFY yes yes yes after verify
multi-payee reward yes yes yes after open
cold start sync/replay sync slice + fold fold only
grade 4 implicit fold or completeness fold

4. promotion and demotion

transition rule
light → cell add private note store + apply pipeline; keep fold tip
cell → full add full graph / validator duties; not required for money UX
full → light drop local graph; retain keys; re-join via decide

losing grade 4 (cannot fold, no completeness) → money UI MUST drop to non-money-grade (read-only warning) until tip restored.

5. conformance

  • light join works offline-of-history: only acc + decide + opens
  • cell send/receive works with embedded fold tip
  • full node can serve the openings light needs
  • mode flag visible in diagnostics (for support, not for trust)

see light-money, structural sync, light client, cell.

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