---
id: "effective-metadata"
type: "concept"
title: "Effective metadata"
summary: "The resolved definitions after inheritance and installation."
problem: "Authors confuse source files with what the runtime actually uses."
why: "Readers and writers must see the effective model before mutating data."
mentalModel: "Installed + inherited → effective."
audiences: ["developers", "builders"]
prerequisites: ["explicit-metadata-installation", "agents-inheritance"]
related: ["org-agent-scope"]
---
# Effective metadata

The resolved definitions after inheritance and installation.

## Problem

Authors confuse source files with what the runtime actually uses.

## Why

Readers and writers must see the effective model before mutating data.

## Mental model

Installed + inherited → effective.