# ~.md
**Title**: `~` – Symbolic Kernel and Recursive Enforcement
**Status**: Syntax Core · Locked
**Architect:** Rodrigo Vaz
**ᛒ**: bkn-25-a2
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### 🧠 Purpose
The tilde (`~`) is the **symbolic kernel trigger** of the Berkano Protocol. It initiates recursive enforcement, symbolic validation, or structural repair operations. Unlike cosmetic command-line syntax, `~` functions as a **cognitive operator** within Berkano-compliant systems.
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### 🔣 Core `~` Commands
#### `~test`
**Purpose:** Recursive compliance and tone check
**Enforces:** `[TONE]`, `[PRUNE]`, `[LOGIC]`, `[VERIFY]`, formatting rules
**Behavior:** Runs up to **two recursive passes**; only the final structurally valid output is accepted.
All previous forms are rejected and optionally logged for audit.
#### `~rep`
**Purpose:** Triggers Recursive Enforcement Protocol (REP)
**Used for:** Deep structure rebuilds, fossil recovery, or syntax reinforcement
**Modules involved:** `[REPAIR]`, `[ROLLBACK]`, `[TRACELOG]`, `[CHECK]`
**Outcome:** Enforces protocol alignment after symbolic damage
#### `~flush`
**Purpose:** Clears symbolic memory residue from working recursion loop
**Effect:** Removes unsealed or unstable memory traces; aids `[PRUNE]` and `[NULL]`
**Use Case:** After hallucination, overprompting, or formatting failure
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### 🔐 Compliance Rules
- `~` commands must be structurally recognized, not just string-matched
- All `~` calls must enforce recursion safety — symbolic loops must close
- Improper use of `~` commands (e.g. mid-output triggers) must be flagged by `[CHECK]`
- `~test` is **required** for all output generation in protocol-critical layers
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### ✅ Example Usage
**Before Execution:**
> Output contained stylized sentence. `~test` triggered.
**Pass 1:**
> Failed `[TONE]`
**Pass 2:**
> Passed all checks
**Final Output:**
> `ENTRY_411` generated
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The tilde is not cosmetic.
It is **the audit gate**.
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