{% atom %}

Attributes

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
type	enum	✓	Atom type — determines styling badge and aggregate bucket: definition | hypothesis | axiom | prediction | observation | learning | question | idea
id	string	—	Unique kebab-case identifier — required when this atom is referenced by based-on from another atom
date	string	—	ISO 8601 date — when this knowledge was captured
tags	string	—	Space-separated labels for filtering in the aggregate pages
based-on	string	—	Space-separated atom ids this atom builds upon — rendered as italic links and cross-validated for existence

Valid Parent Contexts

This tag is valid inside: {% article %}

The body of \{% atom %\} is the knowledge content. Full Markdown is supported.

Atom types

Type	Badge colour	Meaning
definition	Gray/slate	A term or concept defined for shared understanding
hypothesis	Blue	A testable claim not yet confirmed
axiom	Slate	A foundational truth treated as non-negotiable
prediction	Purple	A forward-looking claim about what will happen
observation	Amber	A pattern noticed through research or experience
learning	Green	A confirmed insight — often the result of testing a hypothesis
question	Cyan	An open question to investigate or resolve
idea	Rose	A creative spark or proposal worth exploring

Astro component: ArticleAtom.astro

Aggregate — Knowledge Base

Each atom type has its own aggregate page. These pages are generated only if at least one atom of that type exists anywhere in the content tree.

Type	Page path	Sidebar label
definition	/definitions	Definitions
hypothesis	/hypotheses	Hypotheses
axiom	/axioms	Axioms
prediction	/predictions	Predictions
observation	/observations	Observations
learning	/learnings	Learnings
question	/questions	Questions
idea	/ideas	Ideas

Each aggregate page lists all atoms of that type across all articles, sorted by date descending (newest first), with tags as filter pills and a source article link.

Sidebar placement: A collapsible Knowledge Base group within the Journal section, with one link per atom type that exists.

Astro component: AtomCatalog.astro (shared across all six atom type pages)

Axiom with foundational communication claim

tagatomarticle atom-tag-axiom

{% atom type="axiom" tags="communication foundations" %}
All sustained intimate relationships require a ratio of at least 5:1 positive to
negative interactions during conflict to remain stable.
{% /atom %}

Hypothesis with date and tags

tagatomarticle atom-tag-hypothesis

{% atom type="hypothesis" date="2026-04-28" tags="nvc communication design" %}
Prompting users to separate observations from evaluations before responding in a
conflict thread will reduce escalation by at least 30%.
{% /atom %}

Learning captured after prototype testing

tagatomarticle atom-tag-learning

{% atom type="learning" date="2026-05-01" tags="communication design research" %}
Early prototype testing revealed that users reject any intervention they perceive
as "telling them how to talk." Framing matters enormously.
{% /atom %}

Definition of a domain term

tagatomarticle atom-tag-definition

{% atom type="definition" id="bid-for-connection" tags="communication bids" %}
A **bid for connection** is any attempt by one person to achieve emotional connection
with another — ranging from "look at that sunset" to a vulnerable disclosure.
{% /atom %}

Hypothesis based on observations and a definition

tagatomarticlebased-on atom-tag-based-on

{% atom type="observation" id="five-to-one-ratio" tags="communication foundations" %}
All sustained intimate relationships require a ratio of at least 5:1 positive to
negative interactions during conflict to remain stable.
{% /atom %}

{% atom type="observation" id="framing-resistance" date="2026-05-01" tags="communication design" %}
Early prototype testing revealed that users reject any intervention they perceive
as "telling them how to talk."
{% /atom %}

{% atom type="hypothesis" date="2026-05-02" tags="product communication"
       based-on="five-to-one-ratio framing-resistance bid-for-connection" %}
Surfacing the 5:1 ratio as a gentle reflection prompt — framed as self-awareness
rather than instruction — will improve bid response rates without triggering
user resistance.
{% /atom %}