> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.therisk.global/organization/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.therisk.global/organization/standardization/nexus-sovereignty/v.-verifiable-credentials/vc-dependency-trees-and-lifecycle-hooks.md). # VC Dependency Trees and Lifecycle Hooks #### **5.9.1 Why VC Dependency Management Is Critical** NSF operates in **highly composable, interdependent systems**, where: * A disaster response credential may depend on simulation forecast validity * An operational credential may be granted only if a training credential is valid * Legal credentials may expire or escalate based on treaty enforcement clauses * DAO governance decisions may trigger mass credential expiration or elevation To support these dynamics, NSF introduces: * **VC Dependency Trees**: Formal graphs defining preconditions for credential validity and use * **Lifecycle Hooks**: Triggerable logic points that govern issuance, escalation, deprecation, and audit propagation This enables **automated governance**, **jurisdictional compliance**, and **precise control over machine-mediated authority.** *** #### **5.9.2 VC Dependency Trees: Concept and Structure** A **VC Dependency Tree** is a directed acyclic graph (DAG) where: * Each node is a Verifiable Credential * Edges represent “depends on” relationships * Validity of the root VC is contingent on all required child paths being satisfied Example (simplified): ```plaintext DisasterResponseVC / \ TrainingCredentialVC SimulationRunVC | SimulationModelVC ``` The tree expresses that `DisasterResponseVC` is only valid if: 1. The holder completed training 2. A valid simulation run occurred 3. The model used in the simulation is itself credentialed *** #### **5.9.3 Encoding Dependencies in Credential Metadata** Each VC can include a `depends_on` field: ```json { "id": "DisasterResponseVC#0x772e", "depends_on": [ "TrainingCredentialVC#0x994c", "SimulationRunVC#0x73af" ] } ``` Dependencies can reference: * Specific credential IDs * Credential types (e.g., “any ForecastModelVC issued by DAO X”) * Clause hashes or simulation outputs Credential Oracles and Clause Runtimes resolve and validate these dependencies at execution time. *** #### **5.9.4 Types of Dependencies** | Dependency Type | Description | | --------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Temporal** | “Must be issued within 30 days of SimulationRunVC” | | **Scope-limited** | “Only valid if dependent VC is for same jurisdiction” | | **Threshold-based** | “Requires two or more ForecastModelVCs to validate risk class” | | **Escalation-linked** | “Becomes valid only if EmergencyTriggerVC is activated” | Each dependency path is cryptographically verifiable and governed by policy clauses or DAO-defined rules. *** #### **5.9.5 Lifecycle Hooks: Definition and Function** Lifecycle Hooks are programmable events within the credential lifecycle: | Hook | Trigger | Result | | -------------------- | ------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | | `on_issue` | When VC is created | Link to clause ID, emit onboarding notice | | `on_use` | When VC is used | Log usage, notify DAO, trigger reward or alert | | `on_expiry` | When VC expires | Trigger revocation VC, notify holder | | `on_revoke` | When revoked | Invalidate dependents, emit governance event | | `on_dependency_fail` | When a child VC becomes invalid | Suspend parent VC automatically | These hooks allow NSF to behave like an **event-driven operating system for credentials**. *** #### **5.9.6 Example Lifecycle Hook Configuration** ```json "lifecycle_hooks": { "on_issue": "log_to_registry", "on_use": "update_usage_counter, notify_DAO", "on_expiry": "revoke_and_notify_holder", "on_dependency_fail": "flag_for_review, suspend_if_unused" } ``` These hooks can execute: * Smart Clause logic * Governance scripts * Oracle calls * DAO voting workflows *** #### **5.9.7 Cascading Revocation and Audit Propagation** If a VC in a dependency tree is revoked: * All dependent VCs are: * Flagged as “suspended” * Prevented from execution use * Marked in Audit Layer * DAO receives alert * Credential Oracles emit a `dependency_failure` notice * Reissuance pathways may be offered (if clause-bound) Example: > Revoking `ForecastModelVC#0x33aa` invalidates 11 SimulationRunVCs and 38 DisasterResponseVCs. *** #### **5.9.8 Visualizing and Querying Dependency Graphs** The **Credential Registry** and **Audit Layer** expose APIs and UIs to: * Render credential dependency DAGs * Search for unresolved, circular, or risky chains * Run diagnostics on: * Depth of dependency * Number of affected policies * Recency of dependency validation Example query: ```json find all active DisasterResponseVCs dependent on SimulationRunVCs older than 90 days ``` *** #### **5.9.9 Lifecycle Event Signing and Zero-Knowledge Compatibility** All hooks and dependency events: * Are cryptographically signed * Can be included in ZK proofs (e.g., "I used a VC that had no revoked dependencies") * Are auditable by DAOs and governance entities * Support delayed disclosure for sensitive contexts Credential Oracles help embed these events into ZK-compatible attestation flows. *** #### **5.9.10 Dependency Management as Institutional Logic** In NSF: * Credential issuance is no longer a one-off event * It becomes a **programmable trust contract** * With: * Pre-conditions * Execution hooks * Real-time dependencies * Governance-bound escalation paths This enables **modular, traceable, and enforceable governance at scale**—with no need for centralized policy enforcement. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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