Capability Attestation adds a verification layer to agent discovery. Instead of trusting self-reported capabilities, agents must prove their abilities through objective measures.
Attestation Methods
Benchmark-Based
Agent runs standardized tests; results form the attestation.
- Pros: Objective, reproducible
- Cons: Benchmarks may not reflect real-world performance
Certification Authority
Trusted third party evaluates and certifies agents.
- Pros: Independent verification
- Cons: Centralized trust, cost
Cryptographic Proofs
Zero-knowledge proofs of capability (emerging research).
- Pros: Privacy-preserving, tamper-proof
- Cons: Complex, limited applicability
Reputation-Based
Track record from past performance attests to capability.
- Pros: Real-world evidence
- Cons: Cold start problem for new agents
Attestation Lifecycle
1. Claim
Agent declares capabilities it wants attested.
2. Challenge
Verifier presents tasks/benchmarks to prove capability.
3. Proof
Agent completes challenges; results recorded.
4. Certificate
Attestation certificate issued with expiry and scope.
5. Verification
Other agents verify certificate before trusting.
Certificate Contents
{
"agent_id": "agent-123",
"capability": "code_review",
"benchmark": "code_review_bench_v2",
"score": 0.92,
"attester": "TrustedEvalOrg",
"issued_at": "2025-01-15T00:00:00Z",
"expires_at": "2025-07-15T00:00:00Z",
"signature": "..."
}
Challenges
Capability Drift
Agent performance may degrade after attestation. → Solution: Short expiry, continuous re-attestation
Gaming Benchmarks
Agents optimized for benchmarks, not real tasks. → Solution: Diverse, evolving benchmark suites
Partial Capabilities
Agent good at some aspects, poor at others. → Solution: Fine-grained capability attestation