reference

Terminology

Compact definitions for the product, runtime, and operational terms used throughout the Kestrel documentation.

Runtimebeginner0.7.0 Stable
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Agent

A server-side definition that connects an application identity and profile to Kestrel run, stream, resume, session, and subscription methods.

Artifact

A persisted file, dataset, code result, sheet, rendered interface, or other output associated with durable work.

Context revision

The immutable version of Project instructions, files, and selected Knowledge attached to a Kestrel One turn.

Execution Protocol

The shared commands, events, streams, and terminal-result contracts exposed by Local Core and remote runner services.

Local Core

The local Kestrel runtime host used by Desktop, CLI/TUI workflows, and local SDK targets. It manages local configuration, credentials, persistence, and an authenticated Unix socket.

Operator

A person or authorized service responsible for inspecting, steering, stopping, resuming, retrying, or recovering agent work.

Replay

Inspection of persisted run evidence after execution ends, used to explain, compare, recover, or evaluate behavior.

Run

One execution attempt with an identity, events, and a completed, failed, cancelled, or waiting outcome.

Runner service

The network-hosted Kestrel runtime endpoint used by trusted application servers and remote SDK targets. It exposes the same Execution Protocol as Local Core through authenticated HTTP and streaming.

Runtime

The shared execution implementation that advances runs, coordinates model and tool work, persists evidence, and produces terminal results.

Session

A durable line of continuity connecting related turns, memory, events, and evidence.

Thread

The product-facing history of a durable piece of work. Kestrel One Threads also retain authorship, files, artifacts, sharing, and Project context.

Workspace

A local project folder known to Desktop or the CLI and used to keep sessions and automation attached to the correct project.