> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.holons.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.holons.io/getting-started/glossary.md). # Glossary This glossary defines every recurring term in the Holons documentation. Anchor links (`#term-name`) are stable and can be referenced from any other page. If a term you encounter is missing here, treat it as a gap to be filled, not as an established concept. ## Names of the things, clarified Before the glossary proper: four names that get used across the docs and are sometimes confused. * **THEOS — The Holonic Earth Operating System** — the canonical, broader open-source proposal at [theos.io](https://theos.io). Describes a *holonic, peer-to-peer social coordination protocol* aligned with planetary boundaries. See [THEOS](/software/the-holonic-earth-operating-system.md). * **Holons** — colloquial shorthand for the protocol THEOS describes, and for working implementations of it (the Liminal Village software ecosystem documented in these docs is one such implementation). * **Holonic Funding** — the economic/financial layer of the implementation: splitters, threshold buckets, value equations, federation. The subject of the [Funding Flow](/getting-started/funding-flow.md) whitepaper. * **HoloSphere** — a JavaScript library for spatial, holonic data using H3 geospatial indexing and GunDB. The substrate for geographic holons. See [HoloSphere](/software/holosphere.md). * **HolonsBot** — the Telegram bot that operationalizes a Managed Holon. See [HolonsBot](/software/holonsbot.md). ## Glossary ### Appreciation An explicit, attributable act of peer recognition inside a holon. In HolonsBot it is the `/appreciate @user [reason]` command. Appreciations accumulate as a public record and feed the [value equation](#value-equation). They are the defining input of an [Appreciative Holon](/software/holons-types-flavor/appreciative-holon.md). ### Commitment A promise made by a holon or contributor, published to the [Commitment Registry](#commitment-registry) so it can be tracked and validated. Commitments are the link between intent and reputation. ### Commitment Registry A core smart contract that records published commitments, supports validation workflows, updates reputations on completion, and links commitments to delivered outcomes. See [Funding Flow Whitepaper](/getting-started/funding-flow-whitepaper.md) §3.1. ### Coopetition "Collaborative competition." A culture in which members are motivated to contribute toward shared goals in a supportive environment, rather than to extract individual reward. Made possible by transparent appreciation data. ### Epoch A fixed time window over which contributions are tallied and resources are distributed. Each epoch end is when a [value equation](#value-equation) is evaluated and a [splitter](#splitter) fires. ### Federation A declared trust relationship between holons that lets value, data, or messages flow between them under shared rules. Federation creates a **trust graph** with three roles: * **Resource sharing** — federated holons can access shared pools (mutual-aid treasuries, project funds, regenerative commons). * **Data sharing** — in HoloSphere, federation propagates data between spaces while keeping a single source of truth. * **Cross-holon recognition** — appreciation from one holon can carry weight in another. See [Funding Flow Whitepaper](/getting-started/funding-flow-whitepaper.md) §2.2 and [HoloSphere Federation](/software/holosphere/federation.md). ### Flow Splitter See [Splitter](#splitter). ### Holarchy The nested structure formed by holons within holons. A team is in a department is in an organization is in a network—each level a whole and a part. The Holons protocol is designed to operate at every level of a holarchy without changing form. ### Holon A unit that is simultaneously a whole and a part of a larger system (from Greek *holos* "whole" + *on* "part"). In the Holons protocol, a holon has an identity ([membrane](#membrane)), a value system ([value equation](#value-equation)), resource flows ([splitters](#splitter) and [thresholds](#threshold-bucket)), and the ability to [federate](#federation) with other holons. ### HoloSphere A JavaScript library that implements holons as hierarchical geographic cells using H3 geospatial indexing and GunDB distributed storage. Provides the spatial substrate when holons map onto territory. See [HoloSphere](/software/holosphere.md). ### HolonsBot The Telegram bot that operationalizes most [Managed Holons](/software/holons-types-flavor/managed-holon.md). Provides task tracking, appreciation, role assignment, federation, and resource coordination through chat commands. See [HolonsBot commands](/software/holonsbot/holonsbot-commands.md). ### Lens In HoloSphere, a category or aspect of data attached to a holon (e.g. `environment`, `social`, `articles`, `temperature`). Lenses let a single holon hold many independent data streams. ### Membrane The semi-permeable boundary that defines a holon's identity, purpose, and values. Membranes regulate what enters and exits—people, resources, information—and evolve as the holon's needs change. In some sections of the docs "membrane" and "holon" are used interchangeably to emphasize different aspects (the boundary vs. the unit it encloses). ### Multi-Sig Pool A collectively governed treasury where multiple signatures are required to move funds. Used for federated decision-making and transparent fund allocation. ### Notify (HoloSphere) The list of target spaces a holon notifies when its data changes. The mirror of [federation](#federation): if A federates with B, then `A.federation` includes B and `B.notify` includes A. ### Overflow The portion of resources that exceeds a [threshold bucket's](#threshold-bucket) capacity. Overflow is automatically redistributed—typically to federated holons or a downstream pool—rather than accumulated indefinitely. ### Pioneer Relationship An early, foundational collaboration between holons that share DNA (common values and principles). Pioneer relationships grow into larger, more complex collaborations over time. ### Points The unit of contribution in a [value equation](#value-equation). Points are calculated from raw contributions (hours, appreciations, outcomes) using the holon's chosen weights, then converted to shares of a distribution. ### Relational Zone A bilateral economic relationship between two holons—"I share my space if you share your expertise." Relational zones live on the **external** side of a [Splitter](#splitter) dial. **Not to be confused** with the internal membership zones of a [Zoned Holon](/software/holons-types-flavor/zoned-holon.md). ### Shared DNA The common values and principles members of a holon hold in common. Shared DNA is what makes a membrane coherent; it is what new members must align with to be inside the holon rather than outside. ### Splitter A primitive that routes incoming resources to multiple destinations according to a configurable rule. The canonical Splitter has a **dual mechanism**—internal contributor rewards on one side, external ecosystem flows on the other—and a single **dial** (0–100%) controlling the balance. See [Splitter Holon](/software/holons-types-flavor/splitter-holon.md) and [Funding Flow Whitepaper](/getting-started/funding-flow-whitepaper.md) §3.2. ### Threshold Bucket A primitive that accumulates resources until a minimum is met, then either distributes them or routes [overflow](#overflow) to a downstream destination. Threshold buckets implement the principle "fund what we need first, then share the surplus." See [Funding Flow Whitepaper](/getting-started/funding-flow-whitepaper.md) §2.2. ### THEOS The Holonic Earth Operating System — see [the names section above](#names-of-the-things-clarified) and the [THEOS](/software/the-holonic-earth-operating-system.md) page. Pronunciation: *theh-os*. ### Value Equation A formula, chosen by each holon, that converts raw contributions into [points](#points) and points into shares of a distribution. The value equation is how a holon makes its priorities **economically meaningful**—what it pays attention to is what its members will be recognized for. See [Funding Flow Whitepaper](/getting-started/funding-flow-whitepaper.md) §3.2. ### Weights The coefficients in a [value equation](#value-equation) that determine how much each type of contribution counts. Adjusted by the holon collectively (in HolonsBot, via `/weights`). Two holons running identical software can produce very different cultures simply by tuning weights. ### Zone (Zoned Holon) A concentric tier of membership inside a [Zoned Holon](/software/holons-types-flavor/zoned-holon.md), representing depth of commitment. Typical zones: Core Stewards, Active Contributors, Ambassadors, Supporters. 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