Standards
Blocks

A consistent shape for every component so it is testable, observable, and safe to promote.

We define a standard block shape with explicit inputs, outputs, tests, and observability so systems stay composable as they grow. Every block follows the same shape. Inputs and outputs are explicit contracts, tests and observability ship with the block, and any block can be promoted or replaced in isolation.

The shape of a block

Every block has the same shape so components can be composed, tested, and replaced safely.

  • Inputs declared with schemas so that upstream changes are caught at the boundary.
  • Outputs declared with schemas so that downstream consumers have a stable contract.
  • Processing logic separated from I/O so that the core computation can be tested independently.
  • Contract tests that verify input and output behavior across versions.
  • Built-in observability that exposes health, throughput, and error rates without custom instrumentation.

Why it matters

A standard block shape lets operational practices scale with the number of components. The cost of adding a new component drops because the patterns for testing, monitoring, and deployment are already established.

  • New components inherit testing and observability patterns rather than building them from scratch.
  • Components can be replaced or upgraded independently because their boundaries are well-defined.
  • Operations teams can monitor and troubleshoot any block using the same tools and procedures.