How to Evaluate an Agent Kernel: The 6-Point Checklist

A checklist for evaluating an agent kernel: the cycle, verification, weight updates, repair rules, kill switch, and efficiency.

What should the cycle contain?

Generate, verify, record, update. A cycle without verification cannot end on a verdict. Without a verdict, the system cannot learn from its actions.

What should be defined?

Repair rules, a kill switch, a role profile, and an efficiency rule. These define the boundaries and safety mechanisms of the kernel.

Can a checklist replace a framework?

No. A checklist evaluates; it does not supply components. It is a tool for assessment, not a building block.

Why is verification so important?

Because generating without verifying is a silent failure. The system must compare the actual outcome with the expected outcome to record a verdict.

What is the purpose of the efficiency rule?

To ensure the kernel weighs energy consumed against result achieved. The aim is to do less, not more, for the same verified outcome.

How does a kill switch contribute to safety?

It provides an immediate way to stop execution. It operates at the cycle boundary to ensure that stopping does not corrupt the memory state.