Summary: This paper defines a second-order repair controller for discrete constraint-system evolution. The system monitors five separable obstruction channels—geometric quotient residual (Φgeom), logical inconsistency (Φₛat), structural closure failure (Φcurv), representative distortion (Ξ), and relational drift (Φᵣel) —to select cost-sensitive repair operators over a declared set of constraint generators. The controller operates as a routing utility layer, subordinating operator proposals (such as structural lifts Π₁2 or numeric repairs Π₂1) to explicit topological guardrails, including the piecewise closure ratio (Rcl) and the guarded descent law. This architecture establishes a rigorous epistemic firewall between "routing/proposal policies" and "authority/terminal certificates, " ensuring that system-state transitions remain admissible relative to a declared observer geometry. The work is presented as an operational repair policy for discrete structural systems; it does not constitute a theory of cognition, learning, or subjective awareness. Experimental evidence in toy systems demonstrates that these diagnostic channels can activate separately, justifying a multi-channel approach to automated structural regulation. Key Technical Definitions Included: The Multi-Channel State Vector: Formalization of Φgeom, Φₛat, Φᵣel, Φcurv, and the Ξ tiebreaker. Piecewise Closure Ratio (Rcl): The defining guardrail for preventing "fake repair" and structural tearing. Cost-Sensitive Acceptance Law (Δ_Λ): The criterion for accepting representation-expanding lifts (Π₁2). Diagnostic Entropy: A metric for evaluating policy stability vs. oscillatory routing behavior.
JEREMY H. CARROLL (Fri,) studied this question.