High-Level Architecture
Relevant source files
The following files were used as context for generating this wiki page:
Nexus Orchestrator is a local-first, background orchestration layer designed as a "nervous system" for AI agent development. It functions as an Autonomous Infrastructure Daemon that bridges the gap between AI agents and their operating environments by managing connectivity, state, and security protocols.
Sources: README.md:3-8
Core Architectural Pillars
The system is built upon four foundational pillars that facilitate autonomous infrastructure management:
- Connectivity Layer: Utilizes the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to enable communication between agents and infrastructure.
- Orchestration Layer: Manages complex workflows using LangGraph.
- Context Layer: Maintains persistent state and tracks agent interactions.
- Governance Layer: Implements Open Policy Agent (OPA) and Zero Trust security models specifically for non-human identities (AI agents).
Sources: README.md:10-14
System Component Interaction
The architecture facilitates a flow from AI agents through a secure governance layer into a managed orchestration environment.
The diagram illustrates the flow of a request from an AI agent through the various layers of the Nexus Orchestrator.
Sources: README.md:4-14, context/AGENTS.md:1-5
Governance and Security
The Governance Layer ensures that AI agents operate within defined security parameters. By utilizing OPA and Zero Trust principles, the system manages permissions for "non-human identities," ensuring that every interaction is authenticated and authorized based on the agent's trust level.
| Component | Technology | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Engine | OPA (Open Policy Agent) | Enforces fine-grained access control policies. |
| Security Model | Zero Trust | Assumes no implicit trust for agents; requires verification. |
| Identity Management | Non-human Identities | Specifically handles AI agent credentials and roles. |
Sources: README.md:6-14
State and Agent Management
The Context Layer provides a persistent record of all known agents interacting with the system. This is primarily managed via the AGENTS.md file, which tracks metadata essential for orchestration and security.
Agent Registry Structure
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Agent ID | Unique identifier for the AI agent. |
| Description | Functional purpose of the agent. |
| Trust Level | Assigned security tier (e.g., restricted, trusted). |
Sources: context/AGENTS.md:5-9
Infrastructure Orchestration
The system acts as a daemon to manage low-level infrastructure tasks autonomously, abstracting the complexity away from the agent.
This sequence shows how Nexus handles infrastructure requests, including validation and state updates.
Sources: README.md:4-5, context/AGENTS.md:1-3
Summary
The Nexus Orchestrator provides a unified framework for AI agents to interact with hardware and software environments safely. By combining MCP-based connectivity with LangGraph orchestration and OPA-driven governance, it creates a robust environment where infrastructure management is handled autonomously, allowing agents to focus on high-level task execution while maintaining a local-first, secure posture.
Sources: README.md:3-14