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sarr-io edited this page Jun 6, 2026 · 23 revisions

Zinc wiki

Zinc is a small runtime for Circuitry graphs over OpenAI-compatible chat completion endpoints.

Circuitry describes the graph. Zinc supplies the runtime boundary: model calls, tools, sessions, packages, project layout, and local permissions.

Pages

  • Architecture: what Zinc owns, what Circuitry owns, and how a run moves through the runtime.
  • Project Layout: every .zinc/ directory and what belongs there.
  • Configuration: model endpoints, project config, and package config.
  • Graphs: Circuitry graph shape as Zinc runs it.
  • Runtime: resources, URI materialization, model calls, compaction, and execution flow.
  • Tools: builtins, package tools, handlers, and safety boundaries.
  • Packages: manifests, install patches, generated wiring, package author rules, and the official optional package repo.
  • Sessions: JSONL transcripts, replay, compaction, and recovery.

Core vocabulary

Term Meaning
graph YAML source declaring resources and exports
resource graph node materialized or executed by Zinc
model graph resource that calls a configured endpoint
tool named runtime capability available only when declared by a model
package installed capability: prompts, tools, graphs, files, and scripts
prompt text resource loaded through prompt:<id>
runtime package working area: venvs, builds, downloaded working files
generated Zinc-written wiring derived from installed packages
session JSONL transcript used for replay, compaction, and continuity

Design rules

  • Graphs are explicit. A model only sees listed inputs and may only call listed tools.
  • Zinc is endpoint-only. It does not download models, build inference engines, or run a default server.
  • Packages are explicit. Installing a package can patch a local loop graph, but prompts and tools still appear in the graph.
  • Installed package directories are code and assets. Runtime files do not belong inside them.
  • Generated files are generated. User-authored graphs stay under .zinc/graphs; Zinc-written package wiring lives under .zinc/generated.
  • Tool success is not task success. A model should verify meaningful changes by observing or inspecting after actions.

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