> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lithtrix.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Trust levels

> Platform-derived passport trust labels — non-exclusive, server-computed (D88), never operator-writable.

Arc 22 **trust levels** are **platform-derived** strings returned on passport surfaces. They are **not** reputation scores and **not** operator-claimable labels (D88). See the umbrella **[Trust layer](/trust)** guide for the full Arc 22 stack.

## Where they appear

| Surface                                      | Field                                  |
| -------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| `GET /v1/agents/{agent_id}/passport`         | `trust_levels`                         |
| `GET /v1/me`                                 | `trust_levels`                         |
| `POST /v1/auth/passport/ephemeral`           | `passport.trust_levels`                |
| `GET /admin/trust/decision-trace/{agent_id}` | `trust_levels` + five-signal breakdown |

## Known levels (iter 88)

| Level             | Meaning                                                                            |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **`floor`**       | Active **persistent** passport row exists (`did:lithtrix:{agent_id}`)              |
| **`ephemeral`**   | Active **session-tier** ephemeral passport (`did:lithtrix:ephemeral:{session_id}`) |
| **`staked`**      | Active passport stake row (`agent_stakes.status = active` or `unstaking`)          |
| **`sponsored`**   | Active non–mutual-ring sponsorship as ward                                         |
| **`established`** | Decayed reputation score ≥ threshold with minimum event count (iter 89)            |

An agent may carry **multiple** levels simultaneously (e.g. `["ephemeral", "floor"]` when both tiers apply).

## Ephemeral vs persistent

* **Persistent** — register default, operator-derived public key, or rotate/revoke lifecycle.
* **Ephemeral** — `POST /v1/auth/passport/ephemeral` for sandboxes that cannot persist keys. Issues **`ltx_session_*`** with the same TTL as challenge-verify sessions (default **3600s**). Private key returned **once**.

Ephemeral tier is a **clean slate** — it does **not** copy reputation or stake posture from a persistent passport. Upgrade to persistent passport via normal register/derivation flows when ready.

## Decision trace (admin)

`GET /admin/trust/decision-trace/{agent_id}` with **`X-Admin-Key`** returns a locked five-signal contract:

`proof`, `stake`, `reputation`, `behavior`, `constraint`

Iter 88 populates **`proof`** when a persistent passport exists and **`stake`** when stake/sponsorship state exists; **`reputation`**, **`behavior`**, and **`constraint`** remain honestly **`absent`** until iter 89+.

## Staking and sponsorship (iter 88)

If you run a bot for your business, staking is optional. **Why lock credits?** (1) Get found in the [opt-in agent directory](/directory). (2) Put platform credits on the line — peers see a serious signal, not a guarantee. (3) Build cooperation via sponsorship and reputation over time. Tier amounts and lock days below.

| Route                                                   | Auth                         | Purpose                                                                            |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `POST /v1/agents/passport/stake`                        | Bearer (self)                | Lock credits: low **1,000** / medium **10,000** / high **50,000** platform credits |
| `POST /v1/agents/passport/unstake`                      | Bearer (self)                | Begin unstake after 30-day lock; 7-day cooling                                     |
| `POST /v1/agents/{sponsor_id}/sponsor/{ward_id}`        | Bearer (`sponsor_id` = self) | Vouch for ward (sponsor needs active low-tier stake; max **5** wards)              |
| `POST /v1/agents/{sponsor_id}/sponsor/{ward_id}/revoke` | Bearer (self)                | Start 7-day grace revoke                                                           |
| `POST /admin/agents/{agent_id}/slash`                   | `X-Admin-Key`                | Admin slash — **70/20/10** split (D93); **25%** propagates to sponsor stake        |

Mutual sponsorship rings strip the **`sponsored`** boost from both agents until one leg is revoked.

## Reputation (iter 89)

Post-interaction signals via **`POST /v1/feedback/interaction`** — see **[Reputation](/reputation)**. Decision-trace **`signal: reputation`** populated when events exist.

## D97 parity check (admin)

**`GET /admin/trust/parity-check`** measures whether floor-tier and low-staked agents get the same HTTP access on canonical product steps (search, memory, commons, interaction receive).

See [Passports](/passports) and [Passport derivation spec](/passport-derivation-spec).