Architecture
Cortex Mode Capability Matrix
Capability differences across Cortex tiers
Cortex Mode Capability Matrix
The Cortex tier determines orchestration strength, reflection depth, and policy strictness.
Each tier modifies behavior, not architecture.
Mode 0 — Off
- No orchestration
- No reflection
- No memory gating
- Direct model interaction
- Tools disabled or rule-based only
Use case: direct chat mode
Mode 1 — Mobile
- Single-pass routing
- Minimal reflection
- Lightweight memory triage
- No multi-step planning
- Limited retrieval evaluation
Target: 1–4B class model
Mode 2 — Low Spec PC
- Reliable routing
- Basic reflection pass
- Controlled memory candidate generation
- Retrieval trigger evaluation
- Simple tool validation
Target: 5–8B class model
Mode 3 — Mid Spec PC
- Two-pass reflection (draft + critique)
- Better escalation detection
- Structured memory validation
- Improved policy enforcement
- Tool result validation
Target: 10–14B class model
Mode 4 — High Spec PC
- Multi-pass reflection
- Deep planning capability
- Strong conflict detection
- Aggressive hallucination checking
- Context optimization decisions
Target: 20B+ class model
Mode 5 — Remote Agent
- Highest reasoning depth
- Advanced reflection
- Full orchestration strength
- May operate with extended context
- Dependent on remote provider
Privacy posture depends on configuration.
Important Constraint
Regardless of tier:
- Only the Cortex may authorize tools
- Only the Cortex may persist memory
- Specialists remain advisory
Tiers increase strength, not authority.