Decision API

Decision API Oracle Wallet

A decision API connects observations to proposed wallet actions. Its most important output is a clear boundary: what the evidence supports, what the policy permits, and what still needs authorization. This topic explains decision objects and review states as an architectural pattern, rather than describing a live API service.

Start with a decision object

Define the proposed effect before selecting a model or data provider. A useful object identifies the account, destination, asset, maximum amount, operation, expiration, and policy version. Keep the observations supporting that proposal attached by reference. A statement such as improve allocation does not establish a spending boundary. An instruction limited to one destination and a defined amount can be inspected and rejected when its fields change.

Separate recommendation and authorization

A recommended action should remain a proposal until the applicable authority accepts it. For Ethereum typed signatures, EIP-712 defines structured signing but leaves replay protection outside the standard. The architectural consequence is to review the signature mechanism alongside the application rules that prevent duplicate or expired use. A readable payload is helpful evidence; it is not a complete permission policy. Keep the signing component independent from the component explaining the recommendation.

Give uncertainty its own state

Missing evidence, conflicting observations, expired permission, and uncertain submission describe different situations. Return a reason that tells the reviewer which boundary failed. In a hypothetical treasury workflow, a data outage might block new spending while preserving access to reports. That fallback needs its own scope. It should not introduce a new destination or silently reuse an old quote because the preferred source stopped responding.

Keep the result reviewable

Track one intent from proposal through approval, submission, and the chosen completion condition. Preserve the actual authorized fields so the eventual transaction can be compared with them. Account for outstanding intents when enforcing cumulative budgets. The decision API design article develops this workflow, including retries and negative tests. Review records should explain decisions without retaining secret recovery material or unnecessary personal information.

Keep asking

Decision API questions

Clarify the assumptions before comparing tools or authorizing an action.

Does a decision API need AI?

No. A deterministic rule can evaluate a bounded proposal. AI may assist interpretation or explanation, but its presence does not determine who has permission to sign.

Does a successful response mean a transaction completed?

Only if the documented response explicitly represents that completion condition. Evidence accepted, proposal created, and transaction submitted should remain distinguishable states.