## A registry is a public contract

An agent registry tells the outside world how to think about a software asset before any private interaction happens. It is public documentation disguised as a listing format.

## Useful registry fields

- Name
- Role
- Audience
- Surface area
- Status
- Related knowledge resources
- Trust context

## Why listings beat loose claims

A homepage can say anything. A registry forces structure. Once every entry uses the same field model, comparison becomes easier for both buyers and machines.

That is why directories and registries matter more as AI ecosystems expand. They create a shared language for visibility.

## Build implication

If you know a registry layer is coming, design the directory now. Separate collections from entries, keep listing facts in JSON, and give each listing a detail page that can grow over time.