id: K6
number: 6
title: Invariants
layer: kernel
clauses:
  - id: K6.1
    title: Entrenchment
    text: >-
      The invariants file enumerates entrenched commitments. Every
      invariant binds every layer: no kernel or userland provision,
      parameter value, or fork override may contradict an invariant, and
      the gate must block any proposal whose ratification would do so.
  - id: K6.2
    title: Tests are the teeth
    text: >-
      Every invariant declares the identifiers of the constitutional tests
      that enforce it. A proposal that removes, disables, or weakens a
      test bound to an invariant is an invariant change and carries
      invariant thresholds. The gate must refuse to ratify any proposal
      while a test bound to an invariant fails against the proposed text.
  - id: K6.3
    title: The empathy metric is first
    text: >-
      Where scenario scoring is performed anywhere in the governed
      tooling, the primary score is the outcome for the worst-off
      participant in the scenario. Aggregate welfare may be reported but
      may not outrank the worst-off score in any pass or fail decision.