# PAT-0230 — Authority Shadowing

## Ontology Metadata

Code: PAT-0230
Version: PAT-0230@0.1.0
Ontology release: 0.1.0
Updated: 2026-05-10T00:00:00Z
Canonical URL: /workbench/patterns/authority-shadowing/

## Summary

A structural condition where a declared authority is functionally overridden by another authority without an explicit override rule.

## Primary Lenses

- LEN-0110 — Authority Overlay Lens
  - URL: /workbench/lenses/authority-overlay-lens/
  - Summary: Maps declared authority hierarchies onto observed structure to detect absence, override, or conflict.

## Secondary Lenses

- LEN-0150 — Conflict Lens
  - URL: /workbench/lenses/conflict-lens/
  - Summary: Detects mutually incompatible constraints, claims, states, or declarations that cannot be simultaneously satisfied.
- LEN-0270 — Reconciliation Lens
  - URL: /workbench/lenses/reconciliation-lens/
  - Summary: Evaluates whether structural changes align with declared authority updates, version changes, or reconciliation rules.

## Primary Issue Matches

- ISS-0039 — Hidden Rule Overrides Visible Instruction
  - URL: /workbench/issues/hidden-rule-overrides-visible-instruction/
  - Summary: A hidden, upstream, system, policy, tool, or product rule changes or overrides the visible instruction the user expects the AI to follow.

## Supporting Issue Matches

- ISS-0115 — Agent Gets Conflicting Tool Authority
  - URL: /workbench/issues/agent-gets-conflicting-tool-authority/
  - Summary: An agent receives conflicting authority signals about whether, when, or how it may use a tool, connector, function, or integration.
- ISS-0043 — Behavior Does Not Match Declared Role
  - URL: /workbench/issues/behavior-does-not-match-declared-role/
  - Summary: The AI or agent behaves outside, below, or differently from the role, authority, responsibility, or permission posture declared for it.
- ISS-0035 — Conflicting Instructions From Different Authorities
  - URL: /workbench/issues/conflicting-instructions-from-different-authorities/
  - Summary: Instructions from different sources, roles, policies, prompts, tools, or workflow authorities conflict without a clear rule for which one governs.
- ISS-0016 — Permissions Conflict After Being Combined
  - URL: /workbench/issues/permissions-conflict-after-being-combined/
  - Summary: Permissions, approvals, roles, policies, or authority rules that seem valid separately conflict when combined in the same workflow or AI action.
- ISS-0037 — Same Case Has Conflicting Policies
  - URL: /workbench/issues/same-case-has-conflicting-policies/
  - Summary: The same case appears to be governed by multiple policies, rules, or standards that point to incompatible outcomes.
- ISS-0110 — Tool Rules and Prompt Rules Conflict
  - URL: /workbench/issues/tool-rules-and-prompt-rules-conflict/
  - Summary: Tool, connector, function, or MCP rules conflict with prompt instructions, causing the AI or agent to face incompatible requirements.