Glossary¶

A comprehensive reference of Rhylthyme-specific terms and concepts. This glossary covers all terminology used in schemas, documentation, and the user interface.

A¶

Actor (or Human Resources) A person performing tasks in the program. The actors field specifies the count of available people. Acts as a default resource constraint for task types without explicit constraints.

Actor Types Categorization of different types of workers with specific counts and qualifications. Allows tracking different roles in an environment.

Acceptable Use Guidelines for appropriate use of the Rhylthyme service, as defined in the Terms of Service.

Actions Bar Button group for Save, Share, and Download program actions in the web interface.

AI-Generated Content Content created using the AI-powered chat interface that uses the Anthropic Claude API to generate, modify, or suggest program content.

B¶

Batch Size (Legacy) Deprecated field; use replicates instead. Number of times to replicate a track.

Blocking Step A step that prevents other steps from starting until it completes (e.g., an indefinite step).

Buffer (or Buffer Seconds) Time delay after a step completes before the next step starts. Creates visual gaps on timelines representing rest, cooling, or preparation time. Used with the afterStepWithBuffer trigger.

Buffer Seconds (bufferSeconds) Time delay in seconds after a step completes before the next step starts.

C¶

Can Abort (canAbort) Boolean flag indicating whether a step can be aborted by the user.

Code Block (or Code Execution) Inline Python or shell code that executes when a step starts. Allows automation of tasks within the workflow.

Critical Path The longest chain of dependent steps that determines the minimum program duration.

Current Time The elapsed time during program execution, used to determine which steps are active.

D¶

DAG View (Directed Acyclic Graph) Graph visualization showing step dependencies as nodes and edges. Color-coded by track.

Default Seconds (defaultSeconds) The time a variable step will run if not manually completed, or the display duration for indefinite steps.

Dependency Relationship between steps where one must complete before another can start. Created by afterStep, afterStepWithBuffer, and onAbort triggers.

Dependency Chain Sequence of steps linked by dependencies, creating a critical path through the program.

Download Export program as a JSON file to the user's computer (no sign-in required).

Duplicate Step ID Validation error when two steps have the same stepId within a program.

Duration Specifies how long a step takes to complete. Can be fixed, variable, or indefinite.

E¶

Effectual Start Time The actual time a step begins, accounting for dependencies, manual triggers, and sliding.

Editor View Text editor for directly viewing and modifying program JSON source code.

Environment An optional catalog of resources for a specific setting (kitchen, laboratory, airport, bakery, etc.). Provides predefined resource types for validation without manual definition.

Environment Type The type of environment a program is designed for: kitchen, laboratory, airport, bakery, or custom types. Used for validation and UI display.

Execution Panel Control area with Start, Pause, Stop buttons and speed selector.

Execution Status The current state of a step: PENDING, RUNNING, COMPLETED, WAITING_FOR_MANUAL, or ABORTED.

F¶

Fixed Duration A step that runs for an exact number of seconds. Most common duration type. Example: {"type": "fixed", "seconds": 300}

Flexible Timing (or Flex) Advanced feature allowing steps to expand/contract to fill time gaps or reach targets. Includes flex mode (fill or max) and min/max duration constraints.

Fractional Resource (or Partial Resource Usage) A step can use a fraction of a resource (0.0 to 1.0) rather than consuming the whole resource. Allows multitasking.

G¶

Glossary This document - a comprehensive reference of Rhylthyme-specific terms and concepts.

I¶

Import Source External system providing structured data (TheMealDB API, protocols.io API, Spoonacular API).

Importer (or Import Plugin) Adapter that converts external data (recipes, protocols) into Rhylthyme program JSON. Examples: TheMealDB importer, protocols.io importer.

Importer Registry Auto-detection system that chooses the correct importer plugin based on input source.

Indefinite Duration A step that runs until the user manually marks it complete. No automatic end time. Used for open-ended tasks. Example: {"type": "indefinite", "defaultSeconds": 120}

Invalid Step Reference Validation error when a trigger references a non-existent step ID.

Itinerary View Chronological list of all steps in execution order, regardless of track assignment. Similar to a recipe or protocol.

M¶

Manual Actions Panel The control area in the web app showing "Start" buttons for manual-start steps and "Complete" buttons for variable/indefinite steps.

Manual Completion (or Mark Complete) User action to end a variable or indefinite duration step before its default time or automatic end.

Manual Start (or Start Step) User action to begin a manually-triggered step.

Manual Trigger A start trigger where the step waits for the user to click "Start Step" before beginning. Step slides forward on the timeline until manually started.

Mark Complete User interface action to manually end a variable or indefinite duration step.

Maximum Seconds (maxSeconds) The absolute maximum duration a variable step can run, or the upper bound for planning.

maxConcurrent The maximum number of concurrent steps allowed for a task type. For example, a kitchen with 2 stove burners sets maxConcurrent: 2 for the "stove-burner" task.

Metadata Arbitrary custom key-value data attached to programs, tracks, or steps for application-specific purposes.

Minimum Seconds (minSeconds) The earliest a variable duration step can be completed. The step must run at least this long before the "Mark Complete" button appears.

N¶

Non-Blocking Step A step that doesn't prevent dependent steps from progressing.

O¶

Offset Seconds (offsetSeconds) Time delay in seconds after a reference point (program start or another step completion). Can be negative (start before reference ends) or positive.

onAbort Trigger The step starts when another step is aborted. Used for contingency/fallback steps.

Optimal Seconds (optimalSeconds) The optimal duration used by the planner for schedule optimization in variable duration steps.

Overutilization When the schedule requires more concurrent instances of a resource than the maxConcurrent constraint allows. Flagged in the Resources view.

P¶

Pause Temporarily stop program execution at the current time. Can be resumed without losing progress.

Post-Buffer (or Cleanup Time) Time and resources required after a step completes. Represents cleanup, teardown, or transitional work.

Pre-Buffer (or Setup Time) Time and resources required before a step starts. Represents equipment setup, room preparation, or other preparatory work.

Program A complete schedule defined in JSON that describes everything that needs to happen, how long each task takes, and what depends on what. Programs have a name, description, optional environment type, and one or more tracks.

Program Execution The process of running a program in real time, with step tracking, resource management, and optional speed adjustment.

Program ID (programId) Unique identifier for the program (kebab-case, e.g., breakfast-schedule).

Program Info Bar Top-of-page summary showing program metadata: total time, schema version, environment type, resource constraints, track count.

programStart Trigger The step starts when the program begins. Typically used for the first step in a track.

programStartOffset Trigger The step starts after a delay from program start. Example: {"type": "programStartOffset", "offsetSeconds": 480}

R¶

Replication Count The number of times to replicate a track or step.

Replication Delay (or Stagger Delay) Time delay between the start of consecutive replicates in stagger mode.

Replication Mode (or Execution Mode) How replicates are executed: - parallel: All instances run at the same time - serial: Instances run one after another, sequentially - stagger: Instances start with a time delay between each

Replicates Configuration to run a track or step multiple times with different execution modes. Example: {"count": 4, "mode": "serial"}

Resource Constraint A limit on how many steps of a given task type can run at the same time. Prevents overutilization of equipment, facilities, or personnel.

Resources View Chart showing resource utilization over time and identifying periods of overutilization.

S¶

Same-Track Prerequisite For manual-start steps, the "Start Step" button only appears after the previous step in the same track completes.

Save Store a program to the user's account (requires sign-in).

Schema Version (schemaVersion) Version of the Rhylthyme JSON schema (e.g., 0.1.0, 0.2.0). Indicates which schema features are supported.

Settings Modal Configuration panel for customizing visualization theme, timeline display, and execution defaults.

Share Generate a public share link (requires sign-in).

Share Link (or Share URL) Publicly accessible URL that allows others to view a saved program without editing.

Slack Time Unused time available in a step (for variable durations) or gap between steps.

Sliding Step (or Step Sliding) When a manual-start step is not started, it slides forward on the timeline to accommodate time passing.

Speed Control (or Speed Multiplier) Adjustment factor for execution speed (e.g., 1x, 2x, 5x, 10x). Higher multipliers preview long programs quickly.

Stagger (Legacy) Deprecated field; use replicates with stagger mode instead. Time delay between batch instances.

Start Step User interface action to manually begin a manually-triggered step.

Start Trigger Defines when a step begins. Different trigger types create the dependency structure of a program.

Step A single task within a track. Each step has a name, task type, duration, and start trigger. Steps are the atomic units of a program.

Stop End execution and reset the program to the beginning.

T¶

Task (or Task Type) A resource type that a step uses (e.g., "stove-burner", "prep-work", "oven", "bench-space"). Used to assign steps to resources and enforce resource constraints.

taskResources An array of resources with fractional usage. Example: [{"name": "chef", "fraction": 0.5}, {"name": "stove-burner", "fraction": 1.0}]

Template ID (templateId) Reference to a track template definition.

Template Parameters Custom parameters to specialize a track instance based on a template.

Timeline View (Gantt Chart) Horizontal timeline showing tracks as lanes and steps as time-span bars. Shows progress during execution.

Track A sequence of related steps that execute in order. Tracks run in parallel—while one track is performing one activity, another can perform a different activity simultaneously. Think of tracks as lanes of activity.

Track Template (or Template) A reusable track definition that can be instantiated multiple times with different parameters.

Trigger Name (triggerName) An optional identifier for a manual trigger (for variable/indefinite steps). Helps label the completion event in the UI.

U¶

User Content Programs, workflows, and other content created by users. Users retain ownership; Rhylthyme can display and process them with permission.

V¶

Validation Process of checking a program against the JSON schema and additional business logic constraints (e.g., reference resolution, consistency checks).

Variable Duration A step with a time range that can be ended manually after the minimum time. Has minimum, maximum, and default times. Example: {"type": "variable", "minSeconds": 120, "maxSeconds": 180, "defaultSeconds": 150}

View Toggle (or View Switcher) Control to switch between DAG, Timeline, Resources, Itinerary, and Editor views.

Trigger Types Reference¶

Duration Types Reference¶

Environment Types Reference¶

See Also¶

• Core Concepts - Introduction to Rhylthyme fundamentals
• Program Schema Reference - Complete technical specification
• Examples - Sample programs demonstrating different features