ARC for Developers

Building contemplative technology with local-first architecture

Core Development Principles

Latency = Mindflow

Response time directly impacts the quality of thought. Fast enough to maintain flow, slow enough to allow reflection. Target: 200ms for local operations, graceful degradation for complex processing.

Minimal UI = Inner Calm

Interface design that reduces cognitive load rather than demanding attention. Every element serves contemplation, nothing serves engagement metrics.

Local Data = Self-Ownership

Users own their data, their insights, and their digital contemplative space. No surveillance, no data mining, no behavioral tracking.

Deterministic Prompts

Use JSON schemas to ensure consistent, reproducible interactions. Transparency in how inputs become outputs.

Architecture Overview

User Input
    ↓
ARC-0 (Reflect) ←→ ARC-1 (Explore)
    ↓
Integrator
    ↓
✦ Spark → Local Storage → Export Formats

Message Contract

interface Message {
  role: 'arc0' | 'arc1' | 'user'
  content: string
  trace_id: string
  timestamp: number
  context?: Record<string, any>
}

Spark Contract

interface Spark {
  summary: string
  evidence: string[]
  timestamp: number
  confidence: number
  tags: string[]
  export_formats: {
    markdown: string
    json: object
    plaintext: string
  }
}

Local-First Development

Privacy Architecture

// No telemetry by default
const TELEMETRY_ENABLED = false

class DataController {
  private localDB: SQLiteDB
  private encryptionKey: CryptoKey
  
  async storeLocal(data: any): Promise<void> {
    const encrypted = await encrypt(data, this.encryptionKey)
    await this.localDB.store(encrypted)
  }
  
  async exportUserData(): Promise<ExportBundle> {
    return {
      sparks: await this.getSparks(),
      conversations: await this.getConversations(),
      format_version: '1.0.0',
      license: 'User owns this data completely'
    }
  }
}

Getting Started

Development Environment

# Clone the runtime (coming soon)
git clone https://github.com/arc-project/runtime
cd runtime

# Install with privacy-first defaults
npm install --no-telemetry
npm run setup:local-first

# Configure local database
npm run db:init:encrypted

Core API

// Initialize ARC runtime
const arc = new ARCRuntime({
  local_storage_path: './arc_data',
  encryption_enabled: true
})

// Process input through both minds
const dialogue = await arc.processInput(userInput)

// Generate spark from dialogue
const spark = await arc.integrateSpark(dialogue)

// Export user data
const exportBundle = await arc.exportUserData()

Export Formats

Markdown Export

# Spark: {{timestamp}}

## Summary
{{spark.summary}}

## Evidence
{{#each spark.evidence}}
- {{this}}
{{/each}}

## Dialogue Context
**ARC-0**: {{arc0_contribution}}
**ARC-1**: {{arc1_contribution}}

---
*Generated by ARC v{{version}}*

Development Roadmap

Phase 1: Local Runtime (Months 1-3)

• Core ARC-0/ARC-1 dialogue engine
• Local SQLite storage with encryption
• Basic export functionality
• Deterministic prompt system

Phase 2: Interface & Experience (Months 4-6)

• Minimal, contemplative UI
• Spark visualization and history
• Import/export workflow
• Offline-capable web interface

Phase 3: Distribution & Community (Months 7-12)

• P2P sync capabilities
• Plugin architecture for extensions
• Community-contributed prompt libraries
• Mobile contemplation app

Contributing Guidelines

Code of Conduct

• Contemplative development: Write code that serves reflection, not engagement
• Privacy first: Every PR must pass privacy review
• Local-first: All features must work offline
• Calm technology: No dark patterns, no manipulation tactics

Pull Request Process

1. Privacy Impact Assessment: How does this change affect user data ownership?
2. Contemplative Design Review: Does this serve deep thought or shallow engagement?
3. Performance Impact: How does this affect the mindflow experience?
4. Documentation: All changes must include philosophical context

Get Involved

Current Status: Alpha development, seeking thoughtful contributors

Ways to Contribute:

• Core Runtime: Help build the dialogue engine
• UI/UX: Design interfaces that serve contemplation
• Documentation: Write guides that honor the philosophy
• Testing: Ensure privacy and performance standards
• Philosophy: Help refine the theoretical foundation

© 2025 Albira Rahman — Licensed under ARC-Reflective Use License v1.0
All code will be released under permissive open-source licenses