permissions.mdx

title	Permission System Architecture
description	Comprehensive guide to Torus's recursive delegation system, emission permissions, and control distribution mechanisms.

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The Torus v0.5 implements a flexible recursive delegation system called Permission0 that enables fine-grained control over emission distribution, agent capability access, and governance functions.

Permission Architecture Overview

The permission system operates through Permission Contracts that define delegation relationships between delegators and recipients. Each contract encapsulates the authority, scope, duration, and enforcement mechanisms for specific permission delegations.

Permission Contract Structure

pub struct PermissionContract {
    pub delegator: AccountId,           // Authority delegator
    pub recipient: AccountId,           // Authority recipient
    pub scope: PermissionScope,       // Delegation boundaries
    pub duration: PermissionDuration, // Temporal constraints
    pub revocation: RevocationTerms,  // Termination conditions
    pub enforcement: EnforcementAuthority, // Third-party governance
    pub parent: Option<PermissionId>, // Recursive delegation chain
}

Permission Scope Categories

The system supports three fundamental permission types that enable comprehensive coordination:

pub enum PermissionScope {
    Emission(EmissionScope),    // Token delegation permissions
    Curator(CuratorScope),      // Governance function delegation
    Capability(CapabilityScope),  // Off-chain service access control
}

Recursive Delegation Architecture

The permission system enables recursive delegation through hierarchical permission trees, creating natural incentive alignment across agent networks.

Hierarchical Permission Trees

Recursive Delegation Properties:

• Unlimited Depth: Delegation trees can extend to arbitrary depth
• Permission Inheritance: Child permissions derive authority from parent permissions
• Validation Chains: Each level validates the delegator has rights from the level above
• Economic Incentives: Rational agents delegate when it increases their own emissions

Delegation Validation

Each delegation level undergoes strict validation to ensure proper authorization:

1. Parent Validation: Child permissions must reference valid parent permissions
2. Authority Checking: Each delegation level validates proper authorization chain
3. Scope Consistency: Child permissions cannot exceed parent permission scope
4. Temporal Constraints: Child permissions cannot exceed parent permission duration

Enforcement Authority System

The enforcement system creates a sophisticated bridge between on-chain permissions and off-chain verification, allowing builders to create custom enforcement mechanisms.