What is Universal Document?
A Universal Document is a portable, structured document that knows enough about itself to explain itself, track its revisions, and carry independently checkable integrity evidence.
Authoritative answers
Universal Document, explained simply.
A Universal Document is a document that knows enough about itself to explain itself, track itself, and prove itself.
Canonical definitions
Public beta open standardUniversal Document (UD)
A document that can prove what it is.
Public betaUDRUDR remembers change.
Public beta; production signing is not generally enabledUDSUDS proves finality.
DevelopingUDZA portable Universal Document bundle.
Public betaBrowserCarrierA browser-ready carrier for a Universal Document.
Public beta; canonical reader hostname is on an older deploymentUD ReaderOpen and inspect a Universal Document locally.
Public betaUD CreatorCreate a living UDR.
Public beta; canonical validator hostname is on an older deploymentUD ValidatorCheck each trust claim separately.
Unavailable on its canonical hostname; protected production signing not enabledUD SignerAuthorize sealing without pretending assurance exists.
Live read-only registry; identity is only marked verified after a real procedureTrust RegistryPublic-key trust, stated precisely.
Public beta in the current Reader Worker demoDocument Intelligence / Talk to this documentAsk the document, not the open internet.
Common questions
What is UDR?
UDR is the living, revisable form. UDR remembers change by creating new revisions instead of silently overwriting old history.
What is UDS?
UDS is the sealed final form. It carries integrity and signature evidence. Identity, trusted time, current status, and transparency remain separate checks.
How is UD different from PDF?
PDF primarily preserves a fixed visual page. UD is designed to carry structured meaning, revision lineage, trust states, and exact canonical document bytes. A PDF can still be included as a derivative.
How is UD different from Word or DOCX?
DOCX is an editable office-file format. UDR adds portable revision policy and history; UDS adds a sealed final state with independently checkable integrity evidence.
How is UD different from Google Docs?
Google Docs is a hosted collaborative application. Universal Document is designed so the portable document remains usable outside one service or account.
Can you talk to a Universal Document?
Yes, in a compatible Reader. The current public Reader Worker demo answers from document content, cites sections, and refuses unsupported questions.
Does a UD upload my document to AI?
Not automatically. The current basic conversation demo is local-first and makes no automatic cloud upload. A future external-AI action must be explicitly allowed and disclosed.
Can a UDR be edited?
Yes, when its editing policy permits. Saving creates a new revision and should preserve prior history.
Can a UDS be edited?
No ordinary edit is offered. A recipient can create an amendment or new UDR derived from the sealed UDS.
How does verification work?
A compatible Validator recomputes canonical integrity evidence and checks available signatures. Key trust, real-world identity, trusted time, current status, and transparency are reported independently.
Is Universal Document free?
The open standard, basic Creator, Reader, local verification, BrowserCarrier sharing, and basic local Document Intelligence are free. Organizations may pay for optional trust, workflow, scale, or assurance services.
What are UD commensals?
Commensals are optional products built around the open UD standard. The document remains portable; organizations pay only when they need additional trust, workflow, scale, or assurance.