Intent-to-execution interfaces let you describe outcomes and have AI build the system. This requires a contract layer that defines what outputs are valid and how components communicate.
Core Components
Intent Layer
You state goals in plain language or structured prompts. Example: “Summarize all meetings this week and create tasks.”
Contract Layer
Schemas, types, and validation rules define what data can flow and how it must be shaped. This prevents AI from generating incoherent output.
Execution Layer
AI builds code, runs tests, and deploys changes within constraints.
Why Contracts Matter
Contracts give AI a stable substrate. They turn ambiguous intent into executable structure and allow AI to reason across systems without manual supervision. Graph-based schemas, typed APIs, and validation queries become the guardrails.
Benefits
- Rapid creation from high-level intent
- Reduced manual coding
- Safer AI output through enforced constraints
- Easier refactoring because contracts remain stable
Risks and Mitigations
- Risk: Overly rigid contracts block innovation. Mitigation: keep contracts minimal and evolve them when needed.
- Risk: Contract drift across layers. Mitigation: automated cross-validation.
- Risk: AI misinterprets intent. Mitigation: iterative refinement and clear acceptance criteria.
Intent-to-execution interfaces are the connective tissue between human goals and machine implementation. They enable a new kind of development where intent is the primary artifact and code is the compiled output.