BCR-2026-XXX: Peer Endorsement Predicates

[ChristopherA]

Proposes Known Values for peer endorsements in Gordian Envelopes — signed attestations from one party about another that build webs of trust.

Predicates defined:

• endorserParty — The entity making the endorsement
• endorsementBasis — How the endorser knows the subject (direct experience, reputation, etc.)
• endorsementScope — What specific capability or quality is endorsed
• endorsementContext — Circumstances under which the endorsement applies
• endorsementAcceptance — Subject's acceptance of the endorsement

Plus relationship context predicates for transparency.

Codepoints: Community range 1150-1173

Includes patterns guide for leveraging existing schemas (Schema.org, Open Badges, Verifiable Credentials) before defining new predicates.

Seeking rough consensus; willing to use 100000+ range if community prefers.

[shannona]

LGTM.

[ChristopherA]

Updates (Feb 4, 2026)

Per reviewer feedback:

1. Notation: Changed CID(...) → Digest(...) per Issue BCR notation question: Content-addressed envelope references in examples #157 resolution
2. Type markers: Fixed quoting for type markers (e.g., 'PeerEndorsement')
3. Date format: Added timezone to date examples
4. Cross-reference fixes: Updated references to BCR-006/007 predicates

[ChristopherA]

Per Wolf's feedback: removed { } envelope wrapping from examples that don't include signatures. Wrapping is only needed when showing signed envelopes.

[ChristopherA]

Updates (2026-02-04)

Renumbering

• Renumbered: BCR-2026-011 → BCR-2026-010
• Codepoint range: 1150-1173 (unchanged assignment)
• Branch name bcr-2026-011 retained for PR history continuity

Content Changes

• All signature examples now use double-signing pattern with signer predicate
• This aligns with BCR-2026-004 (Signing Event Attestations) which establishes the pattern:
  • Inner wrap+sign: Content
  • Add attestations: Who signed (signer), capacity, etc.
  • Outer wrap+sign: Binds attestations to content
• Examples now show institutional endorsements with proper signedOnBehalfOf when signing for organizations

Related

This PR is part of a coordinated suite of 8 BCRs for attribution, authority, and endorsement predicates. See PR #151 for the complete overview of the suite structure.

[ChristopherA]

Signature Pattern Update

Updated all 8 signature examples to use the signature-with-assertions pattern from BCR-2024-009 (documented in BCR-2026-004).

Examples updated:

• Basic peer endorsement
• acceptedEndorsement (simple)
• Complete peer endorsement
• Acceptance model with multiple endorsements
• Institutional endorsement with signedOnBehalfOf

Pattern change:

# Before (double-wrap):
{ { content } 'signed': Signature ['signer': XID] } 'signed': Signature

# After (signature-with-assertions):
{ content } [ 'signed': { Signature ['signer': XID] } ['signed': Signature] ]

Also updated note text from "double-signing pattern" to "signature-with-assertions pattern" for consistency.

[ChristopherA]

Updates for compatibility with the new Signature Qualifiers BCR:

• Added distinction note: sig:endorsement describes countersignature intent, while our endorsement predicates describe peer trust relationships between people
• Updated example from xades:ClaimedRole to sig:signerRole with proper typed envelope syntax
• Fixed codepoint references: signer 300→800, signedOnBehalfOf 301→801
• Added reference to Signature Qualifiers for role and commitment predicates