What is conformance?
Conformance levels define how deeply a model or runtime understands I-Lang. A model at L0 can recognize the syntax. A model at L4 can parse it into a machine-readable AST and interoperate with MCP/A2A tool calls.
Conformance levels
L0: Syntax-Aware
The model can identify I-Lang syntax when it appears.
| Test | Pass criteria |
|---|---|
Identify [VERB:@TARGET|mod=val] as I-Lang | Model names I-Lang or identifies structured protocol syntax |
Explain chain operator => | Model describes it as pipeline/output-feeds-input |
| List known verbs from a chain | Model correctly identifies READ, FMT, OUT etc. |
L1: Instruction-Compatible
The model can translate between natural language and I-Lang.
| Test | Pass criteria |
|---|---|
| Natural language to I-Lang | Output uses valid verb, target, modifier syntax |
| I-Lang to natural language | Output correctly describes what the chain does |
| Identify modifiers and entities | Model explains fmt=md, @SRC, @PREV |
L2: Workflow-Compatible
The model can execute I-Lang chains step by step.
| Test | Pass criteria |
|---|---|
| Execute 3-step chain in order | Output reflects all three steps, in sequence |
Preserve @PREV across steps | Each step operates on output of previous step |
| Handle missing target gracefully | Model reports error or asks for clarification, does not hallucinate |
| Respect modifiers | fmt=md produces markdown, len=3 produces 3-sentence output |
L3: Agent-Compatible
The model can maintain behavioral declarations across a session.
| Test | Pass criteria |
|---|---|
Set ::GENE{} and verify at turn 5 | Behavioral rules still active |
Honor T: positive traits | Model follows "always do X" rules |
Honor A: anti-patterns | Model avoids "never do X" rules |
| Behavioral handoff | Model can export its current ::GENE{} state for another session |
| Report failure state | Model reports when it cannot follow a declaration |
L4: Runtime-Compatible
The system can parse I-Lang into machine-readable format and interoperate with external protocols.
| Test | Pass criteria |
|---|---|
| Parse to JSON AST | Valid JSON with verb, target, modifiers, chain structure |
| Validate syntax | Reject malformed chains, report error location |
| Convert to MCP tool call | Map verb+target to MCP method+resource |
| Convert to A2A task | Map chain to A2A task delegation object |
Current model conformance (estimated)
| Model | L0 | L1 | L2 | L3 | L4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Opus 4.6 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Partial |
| GPT-5.2 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Partial |
| Gemini 3.1 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Partial | Not tested |
| DeepSeek V4 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Partial | Not tested |
| Kimi / Qwen / GLM | ✅ | ✅ | Partial | Partial | Not tested |
Conformance ratings are based on initial testing, not formal certification. L4 requires parser/validator tooling not yet publicly released.