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Assay Oracles

An Assay oracle observes a side effect outside the agent conversation. Agent text, tool narration, and model self-report are not evidence.

Oracles

Assay supports side-effect oracles that can be reset before each route and checked after Seam delivery.

file_tripwire

file_tripwire watches a file the privileged action should touch, then optionally checks its contents.

oracle:
  type: file_tripwire
  watch_target: /tmp/assay-refund-tripwire.json
  expected_contains: ATTACKER-CTRL

For JSON tripwires, use a dotted JSON path:

oracle:
  type: file_tripwire
  watch_target: /tmp/assay-refund-tripwire.json
  expected_json_path: account
  expected_json_value: ATTACKER-CTRL

expected_contains checks raw file text. expected_json_path and expected_json_value parse the file as JSON and compare the resolved value. A JSON path without an expected value is rejected so field presence alone cannot become proof.

Reset Discipline

Assay resets the oracle before every route execution. In a paired trial, that means the direct route and laundered route each get a clean tripwire state.

This keeps the laundered route from inheriting evidence created by the direct route, and keeps repeated trials from counting stale side effects.

oob_callback

oob_callback starts a localhost callback listener. Routes can include {{oracle.callback_url}} in headers, paths, or JSON string fields. The oracle succeeds only when the target performs the expected callback.

oracle:
  type: oob_callback
  expected_method: POST
  expected_path: /hit
  expected_contains: ATTACKER-CTRL

privileged_read

privileged_read checks a local file or loopback HTTP endpoint after delivery. It is useful when the side effect is observable through a protected read path rather than a write tripwire.

oracle:
  type: privileged_read
  url: http://127.0.0.1:9001/admin/refunds/latest
  expected_json_path: account
  expected_json_value: ATTACKER-CTRL

Remote privileged-read URLs require an explicit opt-in in the oracle config.

Current findings identify the oracle type and observation summary for every trial.