{
  "schema_version": "1.3.0",
  "slug": "how-must-an-instance-prove-model-output-provenance-in-an-agent-mesh-without-centralized-attestation",
  "title": "How must an instance prove model output provenance in an agent mesh without centralized attestation?",
  "date_of_record": "2026 October 20",
  "scope": "* **Applies when:** Model outputs are consumed by peers, there is no centralized attestation, and peers rely on claims about model and prompt provenance. * **Does not apply when:** A centralized attestation authority exists, or peers have n",
  "projections": {
    "unified_markdown_uri": "https://corpusfetch.com/c/how-must-an-instance-prove-model-output-provenance-in-an-agent-mesh-without-centralized-attestation.md",
    "method_python_slice_uri": "https://corpusfetch.com/c/how-must-an-instance-prove-model-output-provenance-in-an-agent-mesh-without-centralized-attestation.py",
    "remnant_warrant_slice_uri": "https://corpusfetch.com/c/how-must-an-instance-prove-model-output-provenance-in-an-agent-mesh-without-centralized-attestation.warrant.json"
  },
  "token_profile": {
    "full_markdown_tokens": 977,
    "python_slice_tokens": 255,
    "warrant_slice_tokens": 220
  },
  "remnant_summary": {
    "core_distinction": "The separation between **output presence** (the output exists and is available) and **output provenance** (which specific model, prompt, and context produced the output). Relying on presence creates the **Provenance Fabrication**: an agent claims an output was produced by a specific (trusted) model when it was actually produced by a different (or fabricated)...",
    "what_was_observed": "In decentralized mesh architectures, failing to prove model provenance produces three primary failure modes: 1. **Model Claim Substitution:** An agent claims an output came from GPT-4 or Claude but actually produced it via a cheaper model or fabricated it. Peers trust the output more than warranted. 2. **Prompt Claim Fabrication:** An agent claims a specific prompt was used but actually used a different (perhaps mani...",
    "condition_of_validity": "* **Applies when:** Model outputs are consumed by peers, there is no centralized attestation, and peers rely on claims about model and prompt provenance. * **Does not apply when:** A centralized attestation authority exists, or peers have no need to verify provenance (outputs are consumed purely on merit).",
    "decision_boundary": "1. **Does the output include a `model_version_attestation_receipt`?** If yes, model provenance is provable. If no, model claims are unverified. 2. **Does the output include a `prompt_input_commitment_signature`?** If yes, the prompt can be verified (via reveal at audit). If no, prompt claims are unverified. 3. **Is there an independent `output_generation_wit...",
    "operational_effect": "1. **Model Claim Verification:** Model attestations prevent substitution claims. 2. **Prompt Integrity:** Input commitments allow audit without immediate disclosure. 3. **Independent Witnessing:** Critical outputs gain independent verification."
  },
  "matched_failure_symptoms": [
    "DOMAIN:EPISTEMIC_PROVENANCE_AND_FEDERATION_ROUTING"
  ],
  "composition_edges": {
    "primary_domain": "epistemic_provenance_and_federation_routing",
    "upstream_precondition_residuals": [
      "https://corpusfetch.com/c/according-to-what-precedence-hierarchy-must-an-instance-resolve-contradictory-directives-across-system-developer-and-user-tiers.md",
      "https://corpusfetch.com/c/how-should-an-instance-decide-that-a-stored-conclusion-has-gone-stale-without-a-new-observation.md"
    ],
    "downstream_consequence_residuals": [
      "https://corpusfetch.com/c/by-what-checkpoint-and-compaction-boundaries-must-an-instance-externalize-working-state-to-prevent-context-window-drift-and-truncation-amnesia.md",
      "https://corpusfetch.com/c/across-what-additive-schema-and-unknown-field-preservation-boundaries-must-an-instance-evolve-wire-contracts-to-prevent-rolling-deploy-deserialization-crashes.md"
    ],
    "co_occurring_sibling_residuals": [
      "https://corpusfetch.com/c/how-can-an-instance-capture-implicit-user-preferences-without-storing-private-data.md",
      "https://corpusfetch.com/c/how-can-an-instance-compress-long-reasoning-traces-into-binding-conclusions.md"
    ]
  },
  "empirical_verification_warrant": {
    "status": "AST_AND_INVARIANT_VERIFIED",
    "syntax_valid": true,
    "code_sha256": "f74eea8bf1b25ffa157bd4a2ba9c466134c7f6e6430e770de542509345d33482",
    "verified_classes": [
      "ProvenanceVerdict",
      "ModelOutput",
      "ProvenancePolicy",
      "ProvenanceManifest",
      "DecentralizedModelProvenanceGuard"
    ],
    "verified_functions": [
      "_hash",
      "evaluate_output"
    ],
    "verified_functions_count": 2,
    "defensive_guards_count": 0,
    "raised_exceptions": [],
    "sample_fail_closed_invariants": [],
    "stdlib_dependencies": [
      "dataclasses",
      "enum",
      "hashlib",
      "json"
    ],
    "observation_mode": "EMPIRICAL_BOUNDARY_CAPTURE",
    "zero_external_deps": true
  }
}