| name | lcp-protocol-spec |
| description | Edit LCP protocol docs under docs/protocol/ in BOLT-style (TLVs, message formats, state flow). |
| metadata | [object Object] |
You are editing the Lightning Compute Protocol (LCP) specification and related protocol docs.
Scope
- Primary spec:
docs/protocol/protocol.md(anddocs/protocol/protocol-ja.mdwhen applicable) - Related implementation:
go-lcpd/
Non-negotiables
- No modification to BOLTs: do not propose or require changes to upstream Lightning BOLT behavior. LCP is an application-layer protocol.
- Leverage, do not reinvent: reuse Lightning primitives for authentication, encryption, routing, and payment binding when possible.
- BOLT-quality documentation: aim for BOLT-level rigor, formatting, and readability.
- TLV streams only: define new message fields as TLVs for extensibility; avoid fixed-position fields unless the existing spec already does so.
Leveraging BOLT features
Transport
- Onion messages: for non-payment data transport, prefer onion messages over a custom TCP transport.
- Custom messages: for direct peer-to-peer communication, use high-range custom message types (>= 32768) and follow BOLT #1 parity rules.
Data structure
- Extension areas: if attaching to existing messages (
init, HTLC-related messages, etc.), use spec-defined extension TLVs.
Privacy
- Blinded paths: if the protocol carries identifiers or route information, use route blinding / blinded paths to protect endpoint privacy.
Specification strictness
Keep message and TLV definitions parseable and consistent. Use a BOLT-style definition shape like:
1. type: <TypeNumber> (`<message_name>`)
2. data:
* [`<type>`:`<field_name>`]
* [`<length>`*`<type>`:`<array_name>`]
Workflow
- Identify the exact section you are changing (message definition, TLV table, state machine, examples).
- Update the English spec first (
docs/protocol/protocol.md). If the Japanese page is meant to mirror it, updatedocs/protocol/protocol-ja.mdaccordingly (it may be a summary). - Keep terminology consistent with identifiers used in
go-lcpd/(when they exist). - If you introduce new fields:
- Define them as TLVs with explicit type numbers and clear semantics.
- Specify validation rules (required/optional, size limits, encoding, error handling).
- Add/adjust examples to match the new behavior.
Validation
- For prose/spec changes: re-read for consistency and BOLT-style formatting.
- If the change implies implementation changes, ensure
go-lcpd/is updated in the same PR and validated with:cd go-lcpd && make testcd go-lcpd && make lint