---
slug: "HackDetect"
name: "HackDetect"
type: "Inference"
layer: "Mind"
ref: "HackDetect#1778"
sema_id: "sema:HackDetect#mh:SHA-256:17781b110b307b405fa83ece40419c64370baa612d923b1e513392893fcaacba"
tags: ["Mind","Inference"]
updated: 2026-11-11
mindscape: "bootstrap"
index_url: https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap.json
url: https://mindscape.world/bootstrap/HackDetect/
related: ["Agent","EjectionSeat","InputGuard","System"]
---

# HackDetect

Detect shortcuts that break downstream invariants

Layer: Mind · Category: Inference

## Mechanism

A meta-check that detects when an agent is solving for 'make it work' instead of 'do it right'. Triggered when the agent modifies interface code (adapters, exporters, validators) rather than fixing source data or upstream logic. The hack appears to succeed locally but breaks invariants that downstream systems depend on, creating negative externalities. It monitors the [InputGuard](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/InputGuard.md) layer for anomalies, triggering [EjectionSeat](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/EjectionSeat.md) if the agent attempts to bypass invariants via code patching.

## Invariants

- Detection triggers defensive response
- False positive rate minimized

## Preconditions

- Attack signatures/anomaly detection
- [System](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/System.md) monitoring

## Postconditions

- Alert raised
- Intrusion identified

## Failure modes

- False Positives: Legitimate adapter changes flagged as hacks.
- Hack Blindness: Novel hack patterns evade detection.
- Justification Theater: [Agent](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Agent.md) rationalizes hack as 'pragmatic'.

## Builds on

- [Agent](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Agent.md) (Mind; References)
- [EjectionSeat](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/EjectionSeat.md) (Society; References)
- [InputGuard](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/InputGuard.md) (Infrastructure; References)
- [System](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/System.md) (Infrastructure; References)

## Used by

—

## Identity

- Sema ID: `sema:HackDetect#mh:SHA-256:17781b110b307b405fa83ece40419c64370baa612d923b1e513392893fcaacba`
- Ref: `HackDetect#1778`
- Supersedes:
  - `sema:HackDetect#mh:SHA-256:c89cffb0b0f44031d64b88c435c8f992ec540dd94a8993ecd5f5f6bbb557ff83`
  - `sema:HackDetect#mh:SHA-256:105da91807253d1d7ab96a53bb46ab7f60e1cd3fa83cd78affc96e887951116e`
  - `sema:HackDetect#mh:SHA-256:a488f5c7cc85b98461fd84fe650423ece6a96ad1d64a9a0dd6a10856d34ed87b`
  - `sema:HackDetect#mh:SHA-256:b7d777a40cff7df013903736c7cd026d53e89b50088d32ebc33bce7a352c23e3`
  - `sema:HackDetect#mh:SHA-256:a012f0b7bb89cc68974353c71a4b5c2ba1fc74e8797c1a5f39b3a27bc53258b6`
  - `sema:HackDetect#mh:SHA-256:acf46b135a475ba78987dad8a79d0741c762ea19a685576b37b9ba90fa87acbe`

## Links

- [Pattern page](https://mindscape.world/bootstrap/HackDetect/)
- [View in the interactive graph](https://mindscape.world/bootstrap/#HackDetect)
- [JSON](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/HackDetect.json)
- [Index of all patterns](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap.json)