What is the Conductor Architecture?

The Conductor architecture is a microkernel-inspired system where the Conductor acts as the minimal, stable kernel that orchestrates all other components as pluggable extensions. Unlike traditional monolithic architectures, the Conductor only handles core orchestration, conflict resolution, and inter-service communication - everything else runs as independent services.

Core Philosophy: Keep the Conductor minimal and stable. Push all specialized functionality (AI models, git operations, checkpointing) to extension services that can be independently developed, deployed, and scaled.

🧠 Core Conductor Components (The Microkernel)

1. Conductor Core

The absolute minimal orchestration engine that cannot be removed or run as an extension.

Why it can't be an extension: Someone needs to have ultimate authority over task routing, conflict arbitration, and system-wide coordination.

class ConductorCore {
    // The brain of the entire system
    function initialize() {
        // Bootstrap the core orchestration engine
    }

    function orchestrate_task(task_request) {
        // Route tasks to appropriate extensions
        // Handle dependencies and coordination
    }

    function shutdown() {
        // Graceful system shutdown
    }
}

2. Resource Management Subsystem

Manages system resources, prevents conflicts, and ensures fair allocation across all extensions.

Critical for microkernel: Extensions need controlled access to shared resources (artifacts, files, models) with proper isolation and conflict prevention.

class ResourceManager {
    function allocate_resource(extension_id, resource_type, requirements) {
        // Allocate resources to extensions
        // Ensure fair distribution and prevent over-allocation
    }

    function deallocate_resource(extension_id, resource_id) {
        // Free up resources when extensions are done
    }

    function check_resource_availability(resource_type, requirements) {
        // Check if resources are available before allocation
    }

    function get_resource_usage_stats() {
        // Monitor resource usage across the system
    }
}

3. Task Scheduler & Dispatcher

Decides which tasks run when and routes them to appropriate extension services.

Why essential: Without centralized scheduling, multiple AI models and services can't coordinate efficiently or avoid resource conflicts.

class TaskScheduler {
    function schedule_task(task, priority, dependencies) {
        // Add task to scheduling queue with priority
        // Check dependencies before execution
    }

    function dispatch_task(task, target_extension) {
        // Send task to the appropriate extension
        // Handle load balancing if multiple instances available
    }

    function handle_task_completion(task_id, result) {
        // Process task completion
        // Trigger dependent tasks
    }

    function reschedule_failed_task(task_id, failure_reason) {
        // Implement retry logic and fallback strategies
    }
}

4. Inter-Service Communication (ISC) System

The nervous system of the Conductor - how extensions communicate with each other through the Conductor's message bus.

The magic ingredient: This enables extensions to collaborate without direct coupling - all communication flows through the Conductor's controlled channels.