The Emergence-by-Constraint Method (EBC): A Formal Epistemic Framework with Constraint Sentinel and Constraint-Aligned Priming

This record defines the Emergence-by-Constraint Method (EBC), a formal constraint framework for generating and evaluating emergence without introducing ontological commitments, explanatory mechanisms, or domain-specific theories. It contains three documents that together specify a complete, closed epistemic system: • The Emergence-by-Constraint Method (EBC) — the core framework defining constraint-based admissibility, epistemic boundaries, invariants, degeneracy, observer dependence, and non-retracting orthogonal emergence.• Constraint Sentinel — an orthogonal practice axis under EBC for maintaining epistemic hygiene during extended application, by detecting ontology smuggling, scope drift, definitional drift, and other violations at the meta-descriptive level.• Constraint-Aligned Priming (CAP) — a mandatory operational protocol for binding external tools, including language models, to the Constraint Sentinel role without introducing epistemic authority, structure, or drift. EBC is not a theory of phenomena. It is a discipline of admissibility that governs when structure may be recognized as legitimate emergence. Constraint Sentinel and CAP do not modify EBC; they function as strictly downward-dependent supports concerned solely with vigilance and execution. This record should be cited as a single conceptual object.