Ask to see the source behind an answer

MENSARA.AI · ASK TO SEE THE SOURCE BEHIND AN ANSWER · AGENT VIEW · TEXT/MARKDOWN
# Find your way through a Mind

## Purpose

Use returned maps to locate an authorized source before relying on query results. This is a candidate procedure for the documented release. A synthetic, in-process authenticated navigation fixture passed; a supported-client onboarding walkthrough, supported-client version, and runnable client example are not verified here.

## Prerequisites and identity

Use an owner-authorized, authenticated connection. `orient` and `list_zones` have no required arguments. `read` requires `path`; `list_files` accepts optional `dir`, `pattern`, and `memory_view`; `query` requires `text`. Do not invent a transport, SDK, endpoint, setup command, or response shape.

## Procedure

The following are **templates**, not runnable snippets. Substitute only values returned to the authenticated principal.

1. Call `orient({})`. Require `ok=true`; inspect `principal`, `scope`, `protocol`, `zones`, and `first_reads`. Orientation first checks zone discovery and returns that failure rather than a successful orientation if discovery fails.
2. Use the returned `first_reads` map paths. Read the relevant path with `read({path: <returned path>})`. A successful full read returns `ok=true`, content, zone, redactions, and memory metadata when applicable.
3. If you need a real root, call `list_zones({})` and use its `zone_path_roots` mapping. Never construct a path from a zone ID: the ID and directory path can differ.
4. If needed, call `list_files({dir: <returned root>})`, then follow accessible links. Default `memory_view` to `current`. Use `evidence` only for an explicit provenance, history, or review need; never retry a current-view exclusion automatically as evidence.
5. If no map points to the source, call `query({text: <question>})`; open relevant returned sources before answering.

## Postcondition, side effects, and recovery

The observable postcondition is an inspected source reached through returned, authorized routes. It is not proof that the source or resulting answer is correct. Followed links remain subject to granted-zone redaction.

Read-only retrieval can append a signed audit receipt without changing requested knowledge content. A receipt is an audit side effect, not a content change and not a truth certificate.

Check every actual `ok` or error response. On access denial, stop and report the denial without changing identity or expanding memory view. If maps are missing or stale, report the source gap; use query only as the stated fallback. No retry or idempotency rule is established by this packet beyond checking actual responses.

Related: [agents-first-read](/how-it-works/first-useful-question) and [memory-current-and-evidence](/how-it-works/current-and-evidence).