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MBI
An architectural approach in which intelligent systems are constrained by explicit operating modes that govern authority, commitment formation, and reversibility of action. Modes are properties of system state, not agent identity. The framework defines five modes (Explore, Operate, Adjudicate, Steward, Architect) and mode-switching rules as structural invariants.
An AI agent drafts a refactoring plan (Explore mode). Without MBI, a downstream workflow treats the draft as an instruction and commits code. With MBI, the agent cannot execute tool calls in Explore mode—transition to Operate requires an explicit switch with external authority token.
Section 3: Mode-Bounded Systems