---
slug: "SynergisticMode"
name: "SynergisticMode"
type: "Protocols"
layer: "Society"
ref: "SynergisticMode#0ec7"
sema_id: "sema:SynergisticMode#mh:SHA-256:0ec733cad8aec135dae1a1efb3ea244eb6e1d36a470492abccaaf5f8b121541d"
tags: ["Society","Protocols"]
updated: 2026-11-11
mindscape: "bootstrap"
index_url: https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap.json
url: https://mindscape.world/bootstrap/SynergisticMode/
related: ["OntologyHandshake","AcceptSpec","Agent","Compose","Mode","Signal","System"]
---

# SynergisticMode

Protocol-level cognitive mode switching

Layer: Society · Category: Protocols

## Mechanism

Broadcasts a 'Cognitive [Mode](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Mode.md)' [Signal](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Signal.md) (Generative vs. Verifier) to downstream [Agent](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Agent.md)s. Downstream solvers MUST adjust their `[AcceptSpec](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/AcceptSpec.md)` strictness to match the upstream mode. Utilizes [Compose](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Compose.md).

## Invariants

- Paired adjustment: a broadcast [Mode](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Mode.md) must carry the corresponding `[AcceptSpec](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/AcceptSpec.md)` adjustment; a mode change without a stated strictness change is not a SynergisticMode.
- Explicit Declaration: [Mode](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Mode.md) must be part of the [OntologyHandshake](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/OntologyHandshake.md).

## Failure modes

- [Mode](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Mode.md) Confusion: downstream agent misinterprets the intent of the upstream mode.
- [Mode](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Mode.md) Locking: [System](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/System.md) sticks in Conservative mode and refuses to innovate.
- Silent non-receipt: the mode travels as a [Signal](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Signal.md) with no delivery guarantee, so an agent that never received it continues at the previous strictness.

## Data schema

```json
{
  "type": "object",
  "required": [
    "mode",
    "target_agents"
  ],
  "properties": {
    "mode": {
      "type": "string",
      "enum": [
        "Generative",
        "Verifier"
      ],
      "description": "Cognitive mode being broadcast"
    },
    "target_agents": {
      "type": "array",
      "items": {
        "type": "string"
      },
      "description": "Downstream agents to adjust"
    },
    "accept_spec_adjustment": {
      "type": "object",
      "description": "How to modify strictness"
    }
  }
}
```

## Caution

Upstream sets downstream strictness — a forged or mistaken broadcast loosens acceptance gates below it; authenticate senders and keep a floor no mode can relax.

## Builds on

- [OntologyHandshake](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/OntologyHandshake.md) (Society; Composes with)
- [AcceptSpec](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/AcceptSpec.md) (Infrastructure; References)
- [Agent](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Agent.md) (Mind; References)
- [Compose](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Compose.md) (Mind; References)
- [Mode](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Mode.md) (Infrastructure; References)
- [Signal](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/Signal.md) (Infrastructure; References)
- [System](https://mindscape.world/scapes/bootstrap/System.md) (Infrastructure; References)

## Used by

—

## Identity

- Sema ID: `sema:SynergisticMode#mh:SHA-256:0ec733cad8aec135dae1a1efb3ea244eb6e1d36a470492abccaaf5f8b121541d`
- Ref: `SynergisticMode#0ec7`
- Supersedes:
  - `sema:SynergisticMode#mh:SHA-256:e7d9822f9bb0e4199bdafb21e4be993bbe3a0f04bba680804068c0b2bfe2306b`
  - `sema:SynergisticMode#mh:SHA-256:7985e5ea5240d2fb0824c435f505c4a8f6e25b6b0c7561d49f8f68faabb3b167`
  - `sema:SynergisticMode#mh:SHA-256:2463b5f3a7da2c5aa518c3e5e356bb04b0b72cb64a9e99b7f9984c8a44aeec97`
  - `sema:SynergisticMode#mh:SHA-256:02f9f7de69042f961cc0662098cb379cf03e3d384c05147e9fb986de301021b7`
  - `sema:SynergisticMode#mh:SHA-256:6fd87952020856cfa868104a4c125089a8438cc5420f9f70a68b8985d162a0b7`
  - `sema:SynergisticMode#mh:SHA-256:dfb23712167e7be27b13e00163ff62e334f5bc6f2c1245e7bc9fc0abec21ad11`

## Links

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