A biomimetic framework mapping natural dimensions to intelligence system design.
"Intelligence systems naturally align with physical dimensions when guided by natural metaphors."
The Cormorant Foraging Framework presents a three-dimensional taxonomy for categorizing and designing intelligence systems using observable physical dimensions—Sound, Space, and Time. Inspired by cormorant foraging behavior, the framework demonstrates how natural metaphors map directly to information processing paradigms.
Rather than being imposed top-down, this framework emerged empirically from three independently deployed production systems (ChirpIQX, PerchIQX, WakeIQX), revealing convergent design principles aligned with fundamental physics.
Author: Michael Shatny ORCID: 0009-0006-2011-3258 Date: January 2026 License: CC BY 4.0 Website: cormorantforaging.dev
Physical Basis: Acoustic waves combining through superposition; non-reversible propagation
Scoring Method: Additive formula
Score = (Factor1 × Weight1) + (Factor2 × Weight2) - (Risk × WeightRisk)
Metaphor: Cormorant chirping for coordination and warnings
Applications:
- Real-time urgency assessment
- Fast decisions where partial scores remain meaningful
- Communication-driven intelligence
Observable Anchoring: Recent performance, schedule difficulty, measurable metrics
Documentation: chirpiqx.com
Physical Basis: Three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates; static spatial snapshots
Scoring Method: Multiplicative formula
ICE Score = (Insight × Context × Execution) / 100
Metaphor: Cormorant perching to observe and map spatial relationships
Key Insight: Missing any dimension collapses priority entirely (zero in any factor blocks action)
Applications:
- Structural analysis
- Database schema intelligence
- Relationship mapping
Observable Anchoring: Schema relationships, cardinalities, index presence
Documentation: perchiqx.com
Physical Basis: Unidirectional temporal flow creating irreversible history
Scoring Method: Exponential decay function
Relevance = BaseRelevance × e^(-age/halfLife) × AccessBoost
Metaphor: Wake trails persisting and gradually fading after passage
Key Insight: Information relevance degrades continuously; recent access boosts weight
Applications:
- Memory management
- Context continuity
- Historical pattern recognition
Observable Anchoring: Timestamps, file modifications, logged events
Documentation: wakeiqx.com
The framework extends through two additional layers built on the 3D foundation:
Measures gap between demonstrated methodology and actual performance.
DRIFT = Methodology − Performance
Principle: Depends entirely on Layer 0 sensing; no speculation beyond measurement.
Documentation: drift.cormorantforaging.dev
Transforms measurement into decision through multiplicative gating.
Fetch = Chirp × |DRIFT| × Confidence
Decision Thresholds:
- Execute: >1000
- Confirm: 500-1000
- Queue: 100-500
- Wait: <100
Principle: Any zero component blocks execution.
Documentation: fetch.cormorantforaging.dev
- Domain: Fantasy sports intelligence
- Accuracy: 78% prediction rate for breakout players
- Implementation: Model Context Protocol server
- Domain: Database schema analysis
- Tests: 398 passing automated tests
- Implementation: Cloudflare D1 intelligence
- Domain: Context continuity management
- Performance: 85% context maintenance across sessions
- Implementation: Temporal context protocol
- Observable Anchoring — Every measurement ties to detectable physical properties
- No Speculation — Excludes predictions, intent, and normative judgments
- Clean Layering — Each layer has single responsibility with clear dependencies
- No Circular Dependencies — Feedback returns to Layer 0 for re-sensing
- Emergent Discovery — Patterns found, not forced
The framework maps onto established decision architectures while providing unique biomimetic grounding:
- OODA Loop (Observe-Orient-Decide-Act)
- PID Controllers (Proportional-Integral-Derivative)
- Reinforcement Learning (Sense-Process-Act cycles)
The framework has been applied in:
- PACE Pattern — Conversational UX using the dimensional taxonomy
- 6D Foraging Methodology — Strategic analysis with Sound/Space/Time scoring
- HEAT Framework — Workplace intelligence detection
- PlayIQX, ChirpIQX, BrowserLLM — Production implementations
cormorant-foraging-framework/
├── README.md # This file - framework overview
├── DIMENSIONS.md # Deep dive on Sound, Space, Time
├── DERIVED-LAYERS.md # DRIFT and Fetch extensions
├── APPLICATIONS.md # Real-world implementations
├── EMPIRICAL-VALIDATION.md # Performance data and testing
├── CITATION.cff # Machine-readable citation metadata
├── CHANGELOG.md # Version history
├── CONTRIBUTING.md # How to contribute
└── LICENSE # CC BY 4.0 license
Cormorant Foraging Framework is the foundational taxonomy for:
Semantic Intent (Philosophy)
↓
Cormorant Foraging (3D Framework) ← You are here
├─ PACE Pattern (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18049371)
├─ 6D Methodology (DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18209946)
└─ HEAT Framework
└─ Extensions: DRIFT, Fetch
Related Projects:
If you use or reference the Cormorant Foraging Framework in your work, please cite:
Shatny, M. (2026). Cormorant Foraging Framework: A Three-Dimensional Taxonomy for Intelligence Systems. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18210081
@misc{shatny2026cormorant,
author = {Shatny, Michael},
title = {Cormorant Foraging Framework: A Three-Dimensional Taxonomy for Intelligence Systems},
year = {2026},
publisher = {Zenodo},
url = {https://github.com/semanticintent/cormorant-foraging-framework},
doi = {10.5281/zenodo.18210081},
note = {ORCID: 0009-0006-2011-3258}
}This work is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0).
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute in any medium or format
- Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon for any purpose
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
Michael Shatny Ontario, Canada ORCID: 0009-0006-2011-3258
"Natural metaphors reveal natural structures in intelligence design." 🐦