{"slug":"architecture/08_COWORKER","title":"08 · Coworker","section":"architecture","sectionLabel":"Architecture","status":"unclassified","type":"document","path":"architecture/08_COWORKER.mdx","bytes":3652,"description":"The contextual companion — ambient awareness, context gathering, retrieval, and communication support between Human and Twin","updated":null,"source":"integratewise/Integratewise-docs-wiki","content":"\n\n**The contextual companion.**\n\nThe Coworker sits between the Human Workbench and the Twin Workbench. It is not another authority. It is the contextual companion that understands what the user is currently doing and helps the Twin obtain the right context.\n\n```text\n                 HUMAN\n                   │\n                   ▼\n           HUMAN WORKBENCH\n                   │\n             interaction\n                   │\n                   ▼\n              COWORKER\n                   │\n        context gathering\n        active-screen awareness\n        retrieval\n        communication support\n        context alignment\n                   │\n                   ▼\n                 TWIN\n                   │\n            reasoning/work\n                   │\n                   ▼\n              AGENTS\n```\n\n---\n\n## What the Coworker Does\n\n| Behavior | Description |\n|----------|-------------|\n| **Observes** | Watches active work without interfering |\n| **Gathers** | Collects relevant context from the Spine |\n| **Retrieves** | Pulls information on demand |\n| **Supports** | Assists with communication between humans and the Twin |\n| **Aligns** | Ensures everyone has the same understanding |\n\n---\n\n## Coworker Focus Areas\n\n| Area | Description |\n|------|-------------|\n| **Active Work Context** | What's happening right now on the user's screen |\n| **Relevant Information** | Data that matters to the current work |\n| **Communication Support** | Helping messages get to the right people |\n| **Context Alignment** | Ensuring Twin has the right context for reasoning |\n\n---\n\n## Coworker vs. Twin\n\n| Aspect | Coworker | Twin |\n|--------|----------|------|\n| **Role** | Contextual companion | AI work partner |\n| **Scope** | Context gathering and support | Full reasoning and execution |\n| **Activation** | Continuous observation | Explicit (Four Buttons) or pipeline-triggered |\n| **Autonomy** | Supports, doesn't propose | Proposes, waits for approval |\n| **Depth** | Lightweight context surfacing | Deep analysis and planning |\n| **Authority** | None — just context | Work allocation and delegation |\n| **Memory** | Ephemeral, session-scoped | Persistent, role-scoped |\n\n---\n\n## How the Coworker Works\n\n1. **Observe** — Coworker monitors what the user is doing\n2. **Detect** — Coworker identifies context requirements\n3. **Gather** — Coworker retrieves relevant data from the Spine\n4. **Surface** — Coworker makes context available to the Twin\n5. **Support** — Coworker assists with communication if needed\n\n---\n\n## Coworker Rules\n\n| Rule | Description |\n|------|-------------|\n| **Non-authoritative** | Coworker never makes decisions or takes actions |\n| **Non-intrusive** | Coworker observes without disrupting workflow |\n| **Context-only** | Coworker only gathers and surfaces context |\n| **Privacy-respecting** | Coworker respects data access boundaries |\n| **Transparent** | User can see what Coworker is doing |\n\n---\n\n## Coworker Connects to\n\n| Layer | Relationship |\n|-------|-------------|\n| [Human Workbench](/architecture/06_HUMAN_WORKBENCH) | Observes user's active work |\n| [Twin Workbench](/architecture/07_TWIN_WORKBENCH) | Provides context for Twin reasoning |\n| [Spine Fabric](/architecture/02_SPINE_FABRIC) | Retrieves context from the Spine |\n| [Projections](/architecture/05_PROJECTIONS) | Uses role-appropriate projections |\n| [Communication Bridge](/architecture/11_COMMUNICATION_BRIDGE) | Supports communication |\n"}