# Lico Arc Protocol

> LicoArc is an implementation-neutral Candidate protocol definition for end-to-end encrypted messaging, independent device identity, reliable exchange, groups, and federation across untrusted Stations.

Current line: licoarc.protocol-line.v1, Generation 1, Candidate. Definition status is COMPLETE across eight mandatory capabilities. New sessions are eligible; Protocol-Line publication is ineligible. Source and documentation publication does not establish implementation readiness, interoperability, certification, or deployment. Protocol source is licensed under Apache-2.0.

An Endpoint owns keys, plaintext, peer acceptance, approvals, effects, and authenticated confirmations. A Station carries opaque protected packets and has no trust authority. A Network supplies an interoperability context. An independently key-holding isolated runtime is an Endpoint; agent workflow and tool permissions belong to the application.

The website is an orientation layer. The public LicoArc repository owns normative meaning. The Markdown links below point directly to its maintained public sources.

## Start here

- [Documentation overview](https://licoarc.com/docs/): Reading path and authority map.
- [Evaluating encrypted agent communication](https://licoarc.com/docs/#agent-communication): Identity, approvals, confirmations, and application responsibilities; no MCP or A2A interoperability claim.
- [Protocol product boundary](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/PRODUCT.md): Product promise and current Candidate limits.
- [Core vocabulary](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/CONTEXT.md): Endpoint, Station, Network, Group, and confirmation meanings.
- [Current status](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/docs/STATUS.md): Definition and verification facts separated from publication and runtime claims.

## Capability definitions

- [Foundation](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/docs/protocols/foundation-v1.md): Encoding, bounds, closed registries, and content identity.
- [Identity](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/docs/protocols/identity-v1.md): Self-certifying authority, independent devices, management, and recovery.
- [Pairwise protection](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/docs/protocols/pairwise-protection-v1.md): Hybrid establishment, authentication, and protected records.
- [Generic messaging](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/docs/protocols/generic-messaging-v1.md): Namespaced application payloads and attachments.
- [Reliable exchange](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/docs/protocols/reliable-exchange-v1.md): Stable intent, bounded retries, authenticated confirmations, and recovery.
- [HTTPS transport](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/docs/protocols/https-transport-v1.md): HTTP/2 and TLS 1.3 carrier boundaries.
- [Group collaboration](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/docs/protocols/group-collaboration-v1.md): Membership, versioned state, per-member projections, and partial failure.
- [Federation governance](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LicoLand/LicoArc/refs/heads/release/docs/protocols/federation-governance-v1.md): Threshold evidence, recovery, and final local admission.

## Optional

- [Verification guide](https://licoarc.com/docs/verification/): Source integrity, conformance corpora, formal model limits, and deterministic artifacts.
- [Governance and license](https://licoarc.com/docs/governance/): Apache-2.0 and lifecycle boundaries.
- [Canonical repository](https://github.com/LicoLand/LicoArc): Machine-readable sources and human-readable projections.