Core Concepts

This document defines the foundational vocabulary used throughout mdxui and schema.org.ai.

Nouns & Verbs

Noun

A Noun is a type - the things in the system. Every entity (Business, Person, Agent, Task, etc.) is a Noun.

Verb

A Verb is a complete action grammar with all its forms:

This grammar enables consistent naming across the system:

• Events: TaskCreated, InvoiceApproved
• Relations: createdBy, approvedBy
• Actions: create, approve
• Results: creation, approval

Actors & Workers

Actor

An Actor is anything that can execute a function. There are four types:

Actor
├── ServiceAccount  → executes Code functions
├── Model           → executes Generative functions
└── Worker
    ├── Agent       → executes Agentic functions
    └── Human       → executes Human functions

Worker

A Worker is an abstract interface for Actors that "perform Tasks" - namely Agents and Humans.

interface Worker {
  ask(prompt: string): Promise<Response>
  do(task: Task): Promise<Result>
}

class Agent implements Worker { ... }
class Human implements Worker { ... }

Workers are interchangeable - a Task can be performed by either an Agent or Human.

Functions

A Function is executable logic with four types based on execution style:

Only Agentic and Human functions "perform Tasks" - they involve a Worker figuring something out rather than direct execution.

Workflows

A Workflow is a StateMachine with:

• States - The possible states
• Events - Triggers that cause transitions
• Actions - Execute Functions during transitions

Workflow (StateMachine)
└── Action
      └── executes Function
            ├── Code        → ServiceAccount runs it
            ├── Generative  → Model generates it
            ├── Agentic     → Agent performs Task
            └── Human       → Human performs Task

Interface Types

Different protocols for exposing functionality:

---
$type: MCP
$id: https://startups.studio/mcp
name: Startups.Studio MCP
---

<Tools display="rows" />
<Prompts display="cards" />

Render Targets

MDXUI components render to multiple targets:

The component declares what (semantic structure). The renderer determines how (output format).

Hierarchy Levels

Site (Public)

Site → Page → Section → Collection → Thing

App (Authenticated)

App → View → Panel → Collection → Thing

Widgets

Widgets are Views or Panels rendered in overlay contexts: