Serow

Serow is an experimental AI-first programming language.

The current implementation is a public v1 bootstrap baseline written in dependency-free Rust. It focuses on the core language workflow rather than performance: spec-first public functions, mandatory executable examples, contracts, properties, source-level versions, structured diagnostics, semantic queries, change planning, certification, and Rust backend generation.

The language and compiler are intentionally small, but usable for the supported bootstrap subset. Active state and next steps are tracked under Progress/. The current implementation mode is the public v1 release baseline: future work should choose the highest-leverage next step across all phases, with targeted v2 hardening ahead of broad syntax expansion.

Current Capabilities

• spec-first public functions with required intent, contract, examples, properties, effects, and impl sections
• source-level public symbol versions and qualified function references
• records, nullary enum/sum types, exhaustive enum matches, sequencing, local mutation, checked loops, Unit, and concrete List<T> values
• explicit effects with direct-call capability checks
• explicit and inferred module dependencies checked against serow.project
• executable examples and deterministic sampled properties over built-in values, homogeneous lists, declared records, and enum variants
• structured JSON diagnostics with machine-readable repair actions where available
• semantic ledger queries for intent search, symbol lookup, type-shape lookup, callees, effects, dependents, and impact paths
• machine-readable change plans and certification gates for public behavior, implementation evidence, capability changes, impact coverage, and migration acknowledgements
• canonical formatting and structured source patches
• portable IR emission and a first Rust backend for the supported bootstrap subset

Quickstart

Print the compact agent bootstrap contract:

bin/serow agent
bin/serow agent --json

Print explicit reference material that is omitted from the compact bootstrap:

bin/serow docs
bin/serow docs check
bin/serow docs --check
bin/serow docs --json
bin/serow help --json
bin/serow agent commands
bin/serow agent commands --json
bin/serow agent diagnostics
bin/serow agent diagnostics --json
bin/serow release-check --json

Print the compiler/project version:

bin/serow version
bin/serow version --json

Run the checker:

bin/serow check

Format Serow source:

bin/serow fmt
bin/serow fmt --check

Query the semantic ledger:

bin/serow query intent "add two integers"
bin/serow query symbol add
bin/serow query symbols
bin/serow query type "Int, Int -> Int"
bin/serow query callees @core.math.add.v1
bin/serow query effects @core.math.add.v1
bin/serow query dependents @core.math.add.v1
bin/serow query impact @core.math.add.v1

Plan and certify changes:

bin/serow plan --json
bin/serow certify
bin/serow certify --profile standard
bin/serow certify --profile unattended
bin/serow release-check

Compile checked Serow source:

bin/serow compile ir examples/math.serow --json
bin/serow compile rust examples/math.serow
bin/serow compile rust examples/math.serow --out-dir generated/serow_math

Build and run the deterministic terminal RPG demo:

bin/serow compile rust examples/rpg.serow --out-dir generated/serow_rpg --crate-name serow_rpg_demo --emit-bin
cargo run --manifest-path generated/serow_rpg/Cargo.toml

References

• Language Reference: public v1 source shape, types, expressions, evidence, effects, planning, and limits.
• CLI Reference: checker, formatter, structured patches, ledger queries, replay, planning, and certification.
• Standard Library Reference: public v1 source-level standard library modules, functions, records, usage, and limits.
• Backend Reference: portable IR, Rust backend support, generated crate layout, metadata, drift checks, runtime behavior, and current backend limits.
• Agent Instructions: compact repository rules for coding agents.
• Progress/: current state, implementation log, roadmap, and language notes.

License

Serow is licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0. See LICENSE.