Architectural Design Principles
AAM is built on four core architectural tenets designed to withstand high-velocity code mutation:
1. Capabilities-First, Not File-FirstFile structures and AST imports change far too fast to serve as high-level mental models. AAM maps components directly to business capabilities (features), keeping the representation stable and concise.
2. Dual-Consumption DesignDocumentation must be equally readable by a human engineer and a sub-agent. Free-form text is expensive and lossy for LLMs; structural YAML declarations are validated, highly compressed, and immediately actionable.
3. Local-First, Zero-Dependency Offline GraphNo external databases, SaaS accounts, or internet calls are required. Cognition graphs hydrate dynamically in milliseconds directly from local YAML nodes in the repository, guaranteeing total privacy and offline reliability.
4. Non-Destructive ScaffoldingAAM never edits, mutates, or deletes physical application source code. It is non-destructive—providing active rules to AI assistants and validating system schemas with zero production risk.