id: K1
number: 1
title: Source of Truth
layer: kernel
notes: >-
  The constitution is code in the literal sense: the machine-parseable
  source IS the document. There is no separate "real" prose version that
  the source merely approximates.
clauses:
  - id: K1.1
    title: The repository is the constitution
    text: >-
      The constitution in force is the content of the constitution source
      tree at the most recent ratified release tag of the canonical
      repository. A rendered, human-readable presentation of that source
      is a view of the constitution, not a separate document. Where a
      rendering and the source disagree, the source controls.
  - id: K1.2
    title: Normative and non-normative content
    text: >-
      Normative content comprises clause identifiers, clause text after
      whitespace normalization, parameter types, values, forkability flags
      and bounds, invariant statements and their bound tests, and the
      assignment of clauses to articles and layers. Titles, notes,
      rationale, comments, file layout, and formatting are non-normative.
      Only normative content binds anyone.
  - id: K1.3
    title: Parameters control quantities
    text: >-
      Where clause text describes a quantity, threshold, or duration and a
      parameter declares it, the parameter value controls. Clause text
      controls all semantics that parameters do not declare.
  - id: K1.4
    title: Releases
    text: >-
      Every ratified amendment produces a release identified by a
      governance semantic version MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH and an immutable
      release tag. The version file in the source tree records the version
      in force. Release tags are never moved or deleted.
  - id: K1.5
    title: The gate is part of the constitution
    text: >-
      The amendment pipeline tooling, the constitutional test suite, and
      the audit ledger format are governed artifacts. A change to gate
      behavior that alters which proposals can pass is a normative kernel
      change and is classified accordingly.