Priority

Two speeds of resolution. Some decisions must be instant. Some should be thoughtful. Same language, same wiring syntax, different temporal urgency.

Reflex

Reflex is spinal. Interrupt speed. Overrides everything. The signal hits the gate and the action fires within microseconds. Like a spinal reflex — the signal doesn't go to the brain.

Use cases: firewall packet filtering, emergency brake, safety interlocks, smoke alarm, thermal cutoff.

.zpreflex

// thermal spike — cut power. No thinking. Now.
thermal -> gate(> 95C) -> emergency_shutdown
    priority: reflex

// collision avoidance
sonar -> gate(< 5cm) -> emergency_stop
    priority: reflex

Deliberate

Deliberate is cortical. Takes time. Considers context. Aggregates information. Makes nuanced decisions. This is the default priority.

Use cases: path planning, trend analysis, optimization, migration decisions, load balancing.

.zpdeliberate

// thermal trending up — consider migration
thermal -> failure_horizon(85C) -> gentle_migrate
    priority: deliberate

// complex navigation with vision
sonar -> |
         | -> navigate -> motors
camera -> eyes -> |
    priority: deliberate

Both Speeds Together

A system can have both reflex and deliberate chains running simultaneously. The reflex overrides the deliberation when it fires. Just like biology.

.zprobot with both speeds

// reflex — don't think, stop
sonar -> gate(< 5cm) -> emergency_stop
    priority: reflex

// deliberate — think, plan, move wisely
sonar  -> |
          | -> navigate -> motors
camera -> |
    priority: deliberate

// the robot stops instantly when something is 5cm away
// but its navigation takes the deliberate path
// reflex overrides deliberation when it fires

Program-Level Priority

An entire program can run at reflex speed. Place the priority declaration at the top of the .zp file.

.zpprogram priority

// entire program runs at reflex speed
priority: reflex

// all chains in this file resolve at interrupt speed
packet -> gate(src: blocklist) -> drop
packet -> gate(dst: internal) -> accept
packet -> gate(not: known) -> log -> drop

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