OIP-1: OIP Purpose and Guidelines

Status

DRAFT

Type

Meta

Author(s)

OpenPond Core Team

Created

2024-01-05

Summary

OIP-1 describes the OIP process and explains what OIPs are. It also specifies the different OIP types and their respective requirements. This OIP is the reference for all other OIPs.

Motivation

The OpenPond Improvement Proposal (OIP) system provides a standardized process for proposing improvements to the OpenPond Protocol, documenting its design decisions, and ensuring community involvement in the protocol's evolution.

Specification

OIP Types

1. Standards Track OIP

Changes affecting OpenPond implementations or protocol interoperability. Must include:

• Design document
• Implementation
• Formal specification updates (if needed)

Categories:

Core

Core OIPs affect fundamental protocol operations:

• Identity and authentication
• Network topology and discovery
• Message formats and validation
• Security mechanisms
• Registry and permissions
• Economic and incentive mechanisms

Required sections for Core OIPs:

1. Protocol Changes

   • Technical specification of changes
   • Data structures and formats
   • Backward compatibility
   • Economic model changes (if applicable)

2. Security Considerations

   • Security implications
   • Threat analysis
   • Mitigation strategies
   • Economic security analysis (if applicable)

3. Implementation

   • Reference implementation
   • Test requirements
   • Deployment plan
   • Migration strategy

Networking

• P2P networking layer
• Agent discovery protocol
• Connection handling
• Peer discovery mechanisms
• Network message formats

Required sections:

• Protocol specification
• Network impact analysis
• Security considerations
• Reference implementation

ARC (Agent Request for Comments)

• Agent behavior standards
• Message format standards
• Capability declarations
• Interaction protocols

Required sections:

• Behavior specification
• Message formats
• Compatibility matrix
• Example scenarios

2. Meta OIP

Process-related proposals:

• Workflow changes
• Guidelines updates
• Decision-making processes
• Development tools/environment

Required sections:

• Process specification
• Rationale
• Implementation timeline
• Success metrics

3. Informational OIP

Design discussions and guidelines:

• Best practices
• Design patterns
• Implementation guidelines
• Architecture discussions

Required sections:

• Background
• Rationale
• References
• Additional resources

OIP Workflow

1. Ideation

   • Discuss on forum
   • Gather feedback
   • Check for duplicates

2. Draft

   • Use template
   • Include all sections
   • Technical review

3. Review

   • Community feedback
   • Technical assessment
   • Security review

4. Last Call

   • Final review period
   • Address all concerns
   • Update documentation

5. Final

   • Merge implementation
   • Update specification
   • Archive discussions

OIP Format

OIPs should be written in Markdown format. Each OIP must begin with a header preamble:

# OIP-X: Title

## Status

[Draft|Review|Last Call|Final|Withdrawn]

## Type

[Standards Track (Core|Networking|Interface|ARC)|Meta|Informational]

## Author(s)

[Name <email>]

## Created

[YYYY-MM-DD]

Required Sections

1. Summary - One paragraph explanation
2. Motivation - Why this OIP is needed
3. Specification - Technical details
4. Rationale - Design decisions
5. Backwards Compatibility (if applicable)
6. Security Considerations (if applicable)
7. Reference Implementation (if applicable)
8. Copyright - License information

Rationale

This format is chosen to:

1. Ensure comprehensive documentation
2. Enable effective technical review
3. Maintain historical record
4. Support implementation efforts
5. Facilitate community participation

Backwards Compatibility

This OIP is the foundation for the OIP process and does not affect existing protocol implementations.

Security Considerations

The OIP process includes security review requirements for changes that might affect protocol security.

Copyright

This OIP is licensed under the MIT License.