SYNAPSE Context Engine

Overview

SYNAPSE (Synkra Adaptive Processing & State Engine) is the unified context engine for AIOS. It injects contextual rules into every prompt via an 8-layer processing pipeline, adapting to context window usage through bracket-aware filtering.

What it does:

• •Injects rules per-prompt via Claude Code's UserPromptSubmit hook
• •Processes 8 layers (L0 Constitution through L7 Star-Commands) sequentially
• •Adapts injection volume based on context brackets (FRESH/MODERATE/DEPLETED/CRITICAL)
• •Integrates with agent state (active agent, workflow, task, squad)
• •Outputs <synapse-rules> XML block appended to each prompt

What it replaces: SYNAPSE replaces the legacy CARL system with full feature parity plus 8 new capabilities including agent-scoped domains, workflow activation, and CRUD management commands.

Architecture model: Open Core — the 8-layer engine lives in aios-core (open source), memory integration is feature-gated in aios-pro.

Quick Start

Verify SYNAPSE is Active

SYNAPSE runs automatically via the Claude Code hook. To check status:

*synapse status

This shows: active domains, current bracket, session info, and loaded layers.

Basic Commands

Create a Custom Domain

*synapse create

This walks you through creating a new domain file + manifest entry. See references/domains.md for the full domain guide.

Architecture

SYNAPSE operates as a 4-layer architecture:

.claude/hooks/synapse-engine.js          # Layer 1: Hook Entry (~50 lines)
        |
        v imports
.aios-core/core/synapse/                 # Layer 2: Engine Modules
|-- engine.js                            #   SynapseEngine class
|-- layers/                              #   8 layer processors (L0-L7)
|-- session/session-manager.js           #   Session state (JSON v2.0)
|-- domain/domain-loader.js              #   Manifest + domain parser
|-- context/context-tracker.js           #   Bracket calculation
|-- memory/memory-bridge.js              #   Pro-gated MIS consumer
|-- output/formatter.js                  #   <synapse-rules> XML
        |
        v reads/writes
.synapse/                                # Layer 3: Runtime Data
|-- manifest                             #   Central domain registry (KEY=VALUE)
|-- constitution, global, context        #   Core domains (L0, L1)
|-- agent-*, workflow-*                  #   Scoped domains (L2, L3)
|-- commands                             #   Star-command definitions (L7)
|-- sessions/, cache/                    #   Session state (gitignored)
        |
        v user-invoked
.claude/commands/synapse/                # Layer 4: CRUD Commands + Skill Docs
|-- manager.md                           #   Router/dispatcher
|-- tasks/ (6 tasks)                     #   create, add, edit, toggle, command, suggest

Key principle: SYNAPSE is a consumer of existing systems (UAP for session state, MIS for memories). It never rewrites code from other epics.

References

Reference Guides

Assets (Templates)

Templates for creating custom domains and manifest entries are maintained at:

• •Domain template: .claude/commands/synapse/templates/domain-template
• •Manifest entry template: .claude/commands/synapse/templates/manifest-entry-template

See assets/README.md for details.

CRUD Commands

For domain management operations, use the SYNAPSE manager:

Full details: references/commands.md

Key Files