ADR 0001: Core Architecture

Status

Accepted

Decision

mustard uses a Rust core with an explicit pipeline:

source -> parse -> validate -> lowered IR -> bytecode -> VM

The primary in-process embedder is a Node-API addon. Sidecar mode runs the same core runtime in a separate process behind a structured protocol.

Consequences

• Semantics stay centralized in Rust.
• The Node layer remains thin.
• Sidecar mode can reuse the same compiled programs and snapshots.