Forge Pool

Appearance

Adapters ​

What Is an Adapter ​

An adapter is the boundary layer between the external world and Forge.

It is where:

  • external input enters the system
  • domain-specific logic is applied
  • execution is optionally orchestrated
  • results are shaped for consumption

Adapters do not define compute.

They define how compute is used.

Core Principle ​

Forge is strict at the core and open at the edge.

Adapters are that edge.

They are intentionally flexible, but they operate under one non-negotiable rule:

Adapters must never redefine compute truth.

This is the only hard boundary.

Everything else is open.

What Adapters Are Responsible For ​

Adapters are responsible for shaping and coordinating execution flows.

Typical responsibilities include:

  • input validation and normalization
  • transformation of external state
  • construction of execution requests
  • orchestration of primitive calls
  • aggregation of results
  • shaping output for external systems

An adapter may do one of these or all of them.

What Adapters Are Not ​

Adapters are not compute engines.

They do not:

  • implement primitive logic
  • alter primitive semantics
  • redefine execution results
  • claim deterministic guarantees without execution trace

If compute truth is changed, the adapter is invalid.

Execution Boundary ​

Adapters may:

  • call Forge primitives
  • orchestrate multi-stage execution flows
  • combine results across primitives

But they must always respect the execution boundary:

text
Adapter → requests compute
Forge → performs compute
Adapter → receives results

This separation is fundamental.

Adapter Types ​

Adapters can take many forms depending on their role.

Common categories include:

Ingest Adapters ​

Handle incoming external data.

  • APIs
  • files
  • user input
  • external systems

Compute Adapters ​

Orchestrate execution using Forge primitives.

  • risk modeling
  • simulation flows
  • optimization pipelines

Aggregation Adapters ​

Combine multiple results into higher-level outputs.

  • summaries
  • scoring systems
  • composite metrics

Export Adapters ​

Shape outputs for external systems.

  • dashboards
  • APIs
  • reporting systems

Bridge Adapters ​

Connect Forge with other systems or ecosystems.

  • third-party integrations
  • data pipelines
  • hybrid execution environments

Adapters may span multiple categories.

These are not strict classes — only useful lenses.

Freedom Model ​

Adapters are intentionally unopinionated in implementation.

There is:

  • no required framework
  • no required language
  • no enforced internal structure

This allows:

  • domain-specific optimization
  • rapid experimentation
  • ecosystem growth

However, this freedom exists within a constraint:

Implementation is flexible. Execution truth is not.

Where Truth Lives ​

All canonical compute truth lives inside Forge primitives.

Adapters:

  • request execution
  • shape input
  • shape output

They do not define the meaning of results.

This ensures:

  • consistency
  • replayability
  • auditability
  • system-wide coherence

Traceability ​

If an adapter participates in execution, it must preserve traceability.

This includes:

  • execution references
  • primitive identifiers
  • input parameters
  • adapter version
  • execution context

Without traceability:

  • results cannot be verified
  • flows cannot be replayed
  • trust is degraded

Design Philosophy ​

Adapters are not plugins.

They are not extensions of the core.

They are independent boundary systems that:

  • translate between worlds
  • coordinate execution
  • expose Forge capabilities

A well-designed adapter is:

  • clear in responsibility
  • honest in behavior
  • explicit in boundaries
  • transparent in execution

Minimal Mental Model ​

A simple way to think about adapters:

text
External world
    ↓
Adapter
    ↓
Forge primitives
    ↓
Adapter
    ↓
External world

Adapters shape the flow.

Forge defines the truth.

Anti-Patterns ​

Avoid:

Hidden compute ​

Performing local compute and presenting it as Forge execution

Semantic distortion ​

Altering the meaning of primitive outputs

Boundary collapse ​

Mixing all responsibilities without clear separation

Opaque outputs ​

Returning results without trace or execution context

Fake replayability ​

Claiming reproducibility without preserving execution inputs

Summary ​

Adapters are the open execution boundary of Forge.

They provide:

  • flexibility at the system edge
  • structure for real-world integration
  • orchestration without compromising core truth

They allow the system to grow without fragmenting.

Next ​