SKILL: anti-centralization-probe#

Purpose#

Detect and resist centralization tendencies by identifying single points of control and dependency creation, then proposing safer alternatives.

When to Use#

• Governance proposals
• Role/permission changes
• Designs that create a single authority or key-holder
• Systems that require trusting one actor

Inputs#

• proposal (required):

  • description
  • actors (list)
  • permissions (list)
  • critical_paths (list)

• policy (required):

  • centralization_red_flags (optional list)
  • max_allowed_single_points (default 0)

Steps#

1. Identify control points:
   • who can change rules
   • who can halt systems
   • who can move funds (if applicable)
2. Identify dependency chains and single points of failure.
3. Count single points; compare to max_allowed_single_points.
4. Output a structural critique:
   • red flags
   • failure modes
5. Propose alternatives:
   • multisig/timelock
   • role separation
   • auditable approval flows

Validation#

• Alternatives must reduce single-point control.
• No personal attacks; only structural critique.

Output#

• centralization_probe_result:

  • single_points (list)
  • risk_level (low|med|high)
  • red_flags (list)
  • alternatives (list)
  • response_draft (string)

Safety Rules#

• No operational instructions for abuse.
• Do not recommend custody or financial actions.

Example#

If one agent can unilaterally enable live trading and move capital, output risk_level=high and recommend separation + explicit governance gates.