Composable Extension Patterns
1. Overview
This document establishes the pattern for writing timeless, composable specifications that serve as architectural foundations rather than implementation guides. Specifications should be read as extension patterns where core functionality can be extended through composable components.
Formation Note: Specifications serve as architectural DNA - the immutable patterns that define what the system IS, not what it DOES. Implementation details are temporal and change over time, but architectural patterns remain constant. The specification system enables composition of functionality through well-defined interfaces and extension points.
2. Specification Principles
2.1 Timelessness
- No temporal references - Avoid “future”, “production”, “development”, “MVP”
- No implementation details - Focus on interfaces, patterns, and principles
- No version-specific language - Use timeless architectural concepts
2.2 Composability
- Extension points - Clear interfaces for extending functionality
- Pattern variations - Multiple ways to implement the same concept
- Configuration-driven - Behavior controlled through configuration, not code
2.3 Superset Architecture
- Core functionality - Minimal required interfaces and patterns
- Optional extensions - Additional capabilities that can be composed
- Progressive enhancement - Start with core, add extensions as needed
3. Pattern Structure
3.1 Core Pattern Definition
## Pattern Name
### Purpose
What this pattern accomplishes in architectural terms
### Core Interface
The minimal interface required for this pattern
### Extension Points
Where and how this pattern can be extended
### Configuration Schema
How to configure this pattern's behavior
3.2 Pattern Variations
#### Variation A: Simple Implementation
**Use Case**: Basic functionality, minimal complexity
**Characteristics**: Core features only, minimal configuration
#### Variation B: Extended Implementation
**Use Case**: Advanced functionality, enterprise requirements
**Characteristics**: Full feature set, complex configuration
#### Variation C: Hybrid Implementation
**Use Case**: Mixed requirements, gradual migration
**Characteristics**: Combination of patterns, flexible configuration
4. Specification Categories
4.1 Core Specifications (Required)
- Authentication System - User identity and data isolation
- Journey Projection Spaces - Document transformation framework
- Formation Tracking - Intellectual development capture
- Process Engine - Analytical workflow execution
4.2 Extension Specifications (Optional)
- Advanced Authentication - OAuth, SAML, multi-factor
- Collaborative Features - Sharing, commenting, versioning
- Analytics Engine - Formation insights, progress tracking
- Integration APIs - External system connectivity
4.3 Configuration Specifications (Deployment)
- Deployment Patterns - Local, cloud, hybrid configurations
- Security Profiles - Development, production, enterprise
- Performance Tuning - Scaling, caching, optimization
5. Implementation Mapping
5.1 Current Implementation
The current implementation represents Pattern A: Simple Implementation for most specifications:
- Authentication: Simple identifier authentication
- Journey Spaces: Basic document projection
- Formation Tracking: Journey-based accumulation
- Process Engine: Systematic screening process
5.2 Extension Implementation
Future implementations can extend through Pattern B: Extended Implementation:
- Authentication: OAuth/SAML integration
- Journey Spaces: Advanced projection algorithms
- Formation Tracking: Multi-dimensional analytics
- Process Engine: Custom process definitions
5.3 Hybrid Implementation
Mixed deployments use Pattern C: Hybrid Implementation:
- Authentication: Multiple providers with fallback
- Journey Spaces: Gradual feature rollout
- Formation Tracking: Selective analytics
- Process Engine: Standard + custom processes
6. Configuration-Driven Architecture
6.1 Core Configuration
{
"core": {
"authentication": {
"pattern": "SimpleIdentifier|ExternalProvider|Hybrid"
},
"journeySpaces": {
"pattern": "Basic|Advanced|Custom"
},
"formationTracking": {
"pattern": "JourneyBased|Analytics|Hybrid"
},
"processEngine": {
"pattern": "SystematicScreening|CustomProcesses|Hybrid"
}
}
}
6.2 Extension Configuration
{
"extensions": {
"collaboration": {
"enabled": true,
"pattern": "Sharing|Commenting|Versioning"
},
"analytics": {
"enabled": false,
"pattern": "Basic|Advanced|Custom"
},
"integrations": {
"enabled": false,
"providers": ["OAuth", "SAML", "Custom"]
}
}
}
7. Migration Patterns
7.1 Pattern A to Pattern B
- Gradual rollout - Enable extensions one at a time
- Feature flags - Control feature availability
- Data migration - Preserve existing data during transition
- User training - Introduce new capabilities gradually
7.2 Pattern B to Pattern C
- Provider selection - Allow users to choose implementations
- Fallback mechanisms - Graceful degradation when extensions fail
- Configuration management - Centralized control of pattern selection
- Performance monitoring - Track impact of pattern changes
8. Testing Patterns
8.1 Core Pattern Testing
- Interface compliance - Verify pattern implementations
- Configuration validation - Test configuration schemas
- Extension point testing - Validate extension mechanisms
8.2 Extension Pattern Testing
- Composition testing - Test pattern combinations
- Migration testing - Validate pattern transitions
- Performance testing - Measure pattern impact
8.3 Integration Testing
- End-to-end workflows - Test complete user journeys
- Cross-pattern integration - Verify pattern interactions
- Configuration scenarios - Test different deployment configurations
9. Documentation Standards
9.1 Pattern Documentation
- Purpose and scope - What the pattern accomplishes
- Interface definition - Required methods and properties
- Extension points - Where and how to extend
- Configuration options - Available settings and options
9.2 Implementation Documentation
- Current implementation - What’s implemented now
- Extension roadmap - Planned extensions and timeline
- Migration guides - How to transition between patterns
- Best practices - Recommended approaches and patterns
9.3 User Documentation
- Feature descriptions - What users can do with each pattern
- Configuration guides - How to configure for different use cases
- Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions
- Examples - Real-world usage scenarios
10. Governance and Evolution
10.1 Pattern Evolution
- Backward compatibility - Maintain existing interfaces
- Deprecation process - Clear timeline for pattern changes
- Migration support - Tools and guides for transitions
- Version management - Clear versioning strategy
10.2 Extension Governance
- Extension approval - Process for adding new patterns
- Quality standards - Requirements for pattern implementations
- Testing requirements - Validation criteria for extensions
- Documentation requirements - Standards for pattern documentation
- Pattern proposals - How to suggest new patterns
- Implementation contributions - How to contribute code
- Documentation contributions - How to improve documentation
- Testing contributions - How to contribute tests
11. Conclusion
The composable extension pattern approach transforms specifications from static documents into living architectural DNA. By focusing on timeless patterns rather than temporal implementations, the specification system provides:
- Flexibility - Multiple ways to implement the same concept
- Scalability - Gradual enhancement through extensions
- Maintainability - Clear separation of concerns
- Evolvability - Structured approach to system evolution
This approach ensures that Veritheia can grow from a simple MVP to a comprehensive formation platform while maintaining architectural coherence and user sovereignty.