MachineID — Runtime Kill Switch Demo

This repository demonstrates a true runtime kill switch for autonomous execution.

A running worker process:

• Registers once
• Validates repeatedly
• Halts immediately when its external permission is revoked

No redeploys.
No signals.
No cooperation from the runtime.

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What This Demonstrates

This demo shows how MachineID enforces external, non-cooperative control over execution.

The running process:

• Does not decide when it stops
• Does not receive warnings
• Does not degrade gracefully

If validation fails, execution halts.

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Requirements

• Python 3.10+
• A free MachineID org key (supports 3 devices). One click here https://machineid.io

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Setup

1. Install dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

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2. Set environment variables

export MACHINEID_ORG_KEY=org_your_key_here
export MACHINEID_DEVICE_ID=kill-switch-demo-01

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Running the Demo

Terminal 1 — Start the runaway agent (heartbeat loop)

python runaway_agent.py

This process will continue running as long as validation succeeds.

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Terminal 2 — Operator kill switch (interactive)

In a second terminal:

python kill_switch_worker.py

Then type:

revoke

The agent in Terminal 1 will halt on the next validation boundary.

Important:

• The running process exits immediately.
• It does NOT restart automatically.

To allow future execution again:

restore

After restoring, you must manually restart the agent in Terminal 1.

To check current permission state:

status

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Alternative: Revoking from the MachineID Dashboard

You can also revoke from the dashboard while Terminal 1 is running:

1. Open https://machineid.io/dashboard
2. Locate the running device
3. Click Revoke

On the next validation boundary, the agent halts immediately.

allowed = false

This allows operators to stop execution:

• From another machine
• From a mobile device
• During an incident or escalation
• Without SSH access
• Without redeploying
• Without restarting the process

Authority lives outside the runtime.

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Why This Matters

Most systems rely on cooperative control:

• “Please stop”
• “Check this flag”
• “We’ll shut it down on the next deploy”

These approaches fail under:

• Runaway loops
• Leaked credentials
• Stale intent
• Unattended execution
• Incident response pressure

This demo shows enforced control, not advisory signals.

Execution does not negotiate.

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The Core Invariant

All behavior reduces to one rule:

Register. Validate. Work.

If validation fails, work does not continue.

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Files in This Repo

• runaway_agent.py — Long-running agent with validation boundaries
• kill_switch_worker.py — Interactive operator console (revoke / restore / status)
• requirements.txt — Minimal dependencies
• README.md — This document

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Related Links

• Dashboard → https://machineid.io/dashboard
• Docs → https://machineid.io/docs

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License

MIT License
Built by MachineID.io