Agent & Instrument Diagrams
How do you picture the bridge between AI and Crypto?
If you can picture the system, you can build it. A&IDs extend P&ID discipline to AI + Crypto — every agent, instrument, and feedback loop made visible.
Nomenclature
The first principle of first principles is nomenclature — the system of names.
| Traditional P&ID | A&ID Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Agent | DePIN robots, AI actors, autonomous entities |
| Instrument | Instrument | Smart contracts, oracles, incentive mechanisms |
| Pipeline | Protocol | Data flows, value flows, decision traces |
| Control Loop | Feedback Loop | VVFL, tokenomics, governance |
Rosetta Stone
A&IDs translate the knowledge stack into readable diagrams:
| P&ID Element | Stack Layer | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Instruments | Primitives | Sensors, valves, actuators |
| Pipelines + Control Logic | Protocols | How instruments sequence |
| ISA/IEC Symbol Codes | Standards | FV01 means the same everywhere |
| The Factory | Platform | Crystallized capability |
The same visual language applies to smart contracts and AI agent schemas. Encoding P&ID logic into smart contracts bridges physical-digital-cryptoeconomic worlds.
P&ID Primer
P&IDs are schematic diagrams used in process industries (refineries, chemical plants, paper mills) to map equipment, instrumentation, piping, and control systems.
Every component uses standardized symbols and letter codes:
| Code Position | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| First letter | Parameter measured | F = Flow, T = Temperature, L = Level, P = Pressure |
| Second letter | Device type | T = Transmitter, V = Valve, C = Controller |
| Number | Unique identifier | 01, 02, 03... |
FV01 = Flow Valve #1. This convention enables scalable mapping for both human engineers and autonomous agents.
| Line Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Solid | Physical piping |
| Dotted | Signal connection |
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Circle with line | Field/panel-mounted instrument |
| Circle without line | Different installation context |
Context
- Flow Engineering — The methodology: four maps feed into this capstone
- Capability Map — Previous: assess what you can do
- First Principles — Nomenclature is the first principle
- A&ID Design System — Interactive components: symbol library, notation grammar, P&ID translation
- DePIN — Agents at the edge
- Smart Contracts — Instruments that enforce