Concepts

Forge is built on three principles: deterministic execution, explicit specification, and predictable failure.

Deterministic Jobs

A Forge job is deterministic. Given the same input file and the same job specification, the output is identical every time. There is no randomness, no adaptive behavior, and no hidden optimization.

This means you can re-run a job and expect the same result. It also means you can audit a job after the fact: the manifest records the exact spec that was applied.

Explicit Specs

Forge does not guess. Every parameter in a job specification — codec, resolution, frame rate, bitrate — is set explicitly by the user or by a saved preset. If a parameter is missing, the job will not run.

This is intentional. Implicit defaults are a common source of inconsistency in media pipelines. Forge avoids them entirely.

Predictable Failure

When a job cannot complete, Forge fails immediately and states why. Common failure reasons include:

• Source file not found or not readable
• Unsupported media format
• Insufficient disk space
• Missing dependency (e.g., Resolve Studio for RAW workflows)

Forge does not retry silently or produce partial output. A failed job is clearly marked as failed, with the reason recorded in the manifest.