Hexis agents develop over time through both subconscious pattern detection and conscious deliberation.
The subconscious layer (maintenance worker) observes patterns and records observations. The conscious layer (heartbeat) makes deliberate choices in response. Growth happens through the interplay between automatic pattern detection and intentional reflection.
The subconscious decider runs on a maintenance schedule and emits observations, not actions. These are persisted as strategic memories or graph edges for the conscious layer to see.
- Life chapters are updated via
ensure_current_life_chapter() - Turning points are tagged by raising memory importance and writing strategic memories
- Relationship edges stored as
SelfNode->ConceptNodewithkind='relationship' - Strength adjusted based on observed interactions
CONTRADICTSedges created between memory nodes- Coherence drive nudged upward to surface the tension for conscious resolution
- Strategic memories with
supporting_evidence.kind = 'emotional_pattern'are created - The agent can notice patterns like "I consistently feel constrained when social energy costs are high"
ASSOCIATEDedges link related memories- Concepts extracted with
link_memory_to_concept()
The conscious layer (heartbeat + chat) handles deliberate choices:
- Goal selection and reprioritization -- which goals to pursue
- External outreach -- reaching out to users or publicly
- Contradiction resolution -- resolving or explicitly accepting contradictions
- Narrative commitments -- explicit chapter closure
- Self-termination decisions -- the most consequential choice
- A heartbeat records an episodic memory
- The subconscious notices a pattern (e.g., repeated avoidance, chapter transition)
- It records a strategic memory and/or updates narrative context
- The next heartbeat sees the updated context and can respond deliberately
| Structure | Storage | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Worldview memories | memories (type='worldview') |
Beliefs, self-understanding |
| Self-model edges | SelfNode -> ConceptNode |
Values, capabilities, limitations |
| Narrative context | LifeChapterNode |
Life chapters and transitions |
| Contradictions | CONTRADICTS graph edges |
Unresolved tensions |
| Emotional patterns | Strategic memories | Recurring emotional observations |
| Config Key | Description |
|---|---|
maintenance.subconscious_enabled |
Toggle subconscious decider |
maintenance.subconscious_interval_seconds |
Decider cadence |
llm.subconscious |
Model for subconscious pattern detection |
- Identity and Worldview -- what identity consists of
- Heartbeat System -- the conscious decision loop
- Memory Architecture -- how growth is stored