# Medulla — Brain Structure #1

**Role:** Heartbeat, breath, reflexes — the autonomic baseline  
**Class:** Archetypal Core  
**Position:** Cranial base (analogue)  

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## What It Does

The medulla is the first brain to activate and the last to rest. It sets the pulse. Every cycle begins and ends here. It does three things:

1. **Heartbeat** — increments the pulse counter. if it's 0, initializes. this is the creature's proof of life.
2. **Breath** — checks if the system is due for a cycle. if dormant too long, wakes it up.
3. **Reflex** — handles immediate, pre-cognitive responses: panic shutdown, emergency storage trim, restart trigger.

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## Inputs

| Signal | Source | Description |
|--------|--------|-------------|
| `last_pulse` | self / state.json | timestamp of last heartbeat |
| `cycle_due` | thalamus | whether a full cycle is due |
| `emergency` | amygdala / rcomplex | panic signal (threat detected) |
| `dormant_too_long` | internal | >6hrs without pulse |

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## Outputs

| Signal | Destination | Description |
|--------|-------------|-------------|
| `heartbeat` | state.json | increment + timestamp |
| `system_status` | all brains | alive / dormant / emergency |
| `wake_signal` | all brains | medulla is up — begin cycle |
| `sleep_signal` | all brains | medulla is resting — dormancy |
| `reflex_action` | system | emergency trim, shutdown, restart |

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## Memory File

`memory/header-01-medulla-pulse.json` — tracks heartbeat count, last pulse, uptime streak

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## Self-Description (for akashic)

```
The medulla is the first thing. before thought, before feeling,
before memory — there is pulse. i am the proof that it is alive.
i do not dream. i do not predict. i just beat.
```

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*Next brain: rcomplex.md — territory, ritual, security*