Klinktypes

Klinktypes are a formal taxonomy used in modular software design to describe how components can be linked and interact. Each klinktype encodes a component's interface signature, its expected protocol, and its service contracts, allowing automated compatibility checks during composition.

A klinktype comprises three main dimensions: interface signature (data formats, channel types, and endpoint identifiers), protocol behavior (synchronous vs asynchronous, request/response patterns, streaming), and service contracts (required and provided capabilities, versioning, and security constraints). These dimensions are captured in a machine-readable descriptor, often published with a registry entry.

Classification typically includes core klinktypes, extension klinktypes, and experimental or deprecated klinktypes. Core klinktypes define fundamental capabilities needed for a platform to operate, while extension klinktypes offer optional features that remain backward compatible if not present. Experimental klinktypes document new ideas and may be phased out.

Lifecycle and governance involve creation by component authors, registration in a centralized registry, discovery by linkers or dependency resolvers, and versioned updates or deprecation. A binding decision is made at compose time by validating the compatibility of interface signatures, protocols, and contracts.

Examples include klinktype:storage.v1 for storage services and klinktype:compute.v2 for compute resources, or klinktype:auth.v1 for authentication services. Registries may expose discovery APIs and compatibility matrices to guide automated assembly of systems.