causal-chain-query

name	causal-chain-query
description	SOP for tracing causal chains — follow edges from cause to effect through intermediate variables.
execution	sop
used-by	counterfactual-reasoning, feedback-loop-detection

Causal Chain Query

Trace a causal chain from a starting variable through intermediate variables to downstream effects.

Tool

vault_query_graph

Protocol

1. Call vault_query_graph with starting node, direction=out, depth=3
2. Filter results to only causal edges (derived_from, component_of)
3. Reconstruct the chain as an ordered sequence
4. Identify branching points (one cause → multiple effects)
5. Check for cycles (indicates feedback loop)

HARD-GATE

Must report the full chain, not just endpoints. Include intermediate variables.

Yield

Returns: { chain: string[], branches: number, has_cycle: boolean }