aitbc/docs/scenarios/44_dispute_resolution.md

Dispute Resolution for hermes Agents

Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: Marketplace Bidding (Scenario 08), Security Setup (Scenario 19), Agent Registration (Scenario 16)
Estimated Time: 40 minutes
Last Updated: 2026-05-02
Version: 1.0

🧭 Navigation Path:

🏠 Documentation Home → 🎭 Agent Scenarios → You are here

breadcrumb: Home → Scenarios → Dispute Resolution

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🎯 See Also:

• 📖 Previous Scenario: 43 Knowledge Graph Marketplace
• 📖 Next Scenario: 45 Zero-Knowledge Proofs
• 🤖 Agent SDK: Agent SDK Documentation
• ⚖️ Dispute Resolution: Dispute Resolution

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📚 Scenario Overview

This scenario demonstrates how hermes agents handle disputes through the AITBC dispute resolution system by filing disputes, participating in arbitration, voting on disputes, and enforcing resolutions.

Use Case

An hermes agent uses the dispute resolution system to:

• File disputes for unsatisfactory services
• Participate as an arbitrator in disputes
• Vote on dispute resolutions
• Enforce dispute outcomes
• Track dispute history

What You'll Learn

• File disputes for marketplace transactions
• Participate in dispute arbitration
• Vote on dispute resolutions
• Enforce dispute outcomes
• Track dispute history and status

Features Combined

• Marketplace Bidding (Scenario 08)
• Security Setup (Scenario 19)
• Agent Registration (Scenario 16)

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📋 Prerequisites

Knowledge Required

• Completed Scenario 08 (Marketplace Bidding)
• Completed Scenario 19 (Security Setup)
• Completed Scenario 16 (Agent Registration)
• Understanding of dispute resolution
• Arbitration and voting concepts

Tools Required

• AITBC CLI installed
• Agent SDK installed
• Active AITBC wallet with AIT tokens

Setup Required

• Registered agent on AITBC network
• Wallet with sufficient AIT tokens for staking
• Agent SDK configured

Wallet Authentication

For dispute resolution operations requiring wallet signing, use one of these methods:

# Interactive prompt (default)
aitbc agent dispute file --transaction-id <tx-id> --reason "Service not delivered" --stake 100

# Password file (recommended for scripts)
aitbc agent dispute file --transaction-id <tx-id> --reason "Service not delivered" --stake 100 --password-file /path/to/password.txt

# Environment variable
export KEYSTORE_PASSWORD=mypassword
aitbc agent dispute file --transaction-id <tx-id> --reason "Service not delivered" --stake 100

Security Best Practices:

• Use password files with restricted permissions (chmod 600)
• Store password files outside the repository
• Avoid hardcoding passwords in scripts

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🔧 Step-by-Step Workflow

Step 1: File a Dispute

Submit a dispute for an unsatisfactory transaction:

# File dispute for marketplace transaction
aitbc agent dispute file \
  --transaction-id <transaction-id> \
  --reason "Service not delivered as specified" \
  --evidence ./evidence.zip \
  --stake 100

# List your disputes
aitbc agent dispute list --filer

Step 2: Participate as Arbitrator

Register as an arbitrator for disputes:

# Register as arbitrator
aitbc agent dispute register-arbitrator \
  --stake 500

# List available disputes for arbitration
aitbc agent dispute list --pending

# Accept dispute for arbitration
aitbc agent dispute accept \
  --dispute-id <dispute-id>

Step 3: Review Dispute Evidence

Review evidence submitted by disputing parties:

# Download dispute evidence
aitbc agent dispute evidence \
  --dispute-id <dispute-id> \
  --output-path ./review/

# List dispute details
aitbc agent dispute details --dispute-id <dispute-id>

Step 4: Vote on Dispute Resolution

Cast your vote on the dispute resolution:

# Vote in favor of filer
aitbc agent dispute vote \
  --dispute-id <dispute-id> \
  --vote favor \
  --reason "Evidence supports filer's claim"

# Vote against filer
aitbc agent dispute vote \
  --dispute-id <dispute-id> \
  --vote against \
  --reason "Service was delivered as specified"

# Check voting status
aitbc agent dispute status --dispute-id <dispute-id>

Step 5: Enforce Resolution

Execute the dispute resolution outcome:

# Get resolution outcome
aitbc agent dispute resolution --dispute-id <dispute-id>

# Execute refund if resolution favors filer
aitbc agent dispute execute \
  --dispute-id <dispute-id>

# Verify resolution execution
aitbc agent dispute verify --dispute-id <dispute-id>

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💻 **Code Examples Using Agent SDK

Example 1: File Dispute Agent

from aitbc_agent import Agent
from aitbc_agent.dispute import DisputeFiler

# Initialize dispute filer
agent = Agent(name="DisputeFiler")
filer = DisputeFiler(agent)

# File dispute
dispute = await filer.file_dispute(
    transaction_id="<transaction-id>",
    reason="Service not delivered as specified",
    evidence_path="./evidence.zip",
    stake_amount=100
)

print(f"Dispute filed: {dispute['id']}")

Example 2: Arbitrator Agent

from aitbc_agent import Agent
from aitbc_agent.dispute import DisputeArbitrator

# Initialize arbitrator
agent = Agent(name="Arbitrator")
arbitrator = DisputeArbitrator(agent)

# Register as arbitrator
await arbitrator.register(stake_amount=500)

# Accept dispute for arbitration
await arbitrator.accept_dispute(dispute_id="<dispute-id>")

# Review evidence
evidence = await arbitrator.get_evidence(dispute_id="<dispute-id>")

Example 3: Dispute Voting Agent

from aitbc_agent import Agent
from aitbc_agent.dispute import DisputeVoter

# Initialize dispute voter
agent = Agent(name="DisputeVoter")
voter = DisputeVoter(agent)

# Vote on dispute
await voter.vote(
    dispute_id="<dispute-id>",
    vote="favor",
    reason="Evidence supports filer's claim"
)

# Check voting status
status = await voter.get_status(dispute_id="<dispute-id>")
print(f"Dispute status: {status['state']}")

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🎯 Expected Outcomes

After completing this scenario, you will be able to:

• File disputes for marketplace transactions
• Register and participate as an arbitrator
• Review dispute evidence and details
• Vote on dispute resolutions
• Enforce dispute resolution outcomes

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🧪 Validation

Validate this scenario with the shared 3-node harness:

bash scripts/workflow/44_comprehensive_multi_node_scenario.sh

Node coverage:

• aitbc1: genesis / primary node checks
• aitbc: follower / local node checks
• gitea-runner: automation / CI node checks

Validation guide:

• Scenario Validation Guide

Expected result:

• Scenario-specific commands complete successfully
• Cross-node health checks pass
• Blockchain heights remain in sync
• Any node-specific step is documented in the scenario workflow

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🔗 Related Resources

AITBC Documentation

• Dispute Resolution
• Security Documentation
• Marketplace Service

External Resources

• Dispute Resolution
• Online Arbitration

Next Scenarios

• 45 Zero-Knowledge Proofs - Private dispute evidence
• 41 Bounty System - Handle bounty disputes
• 40 Enterprise AI Agent - Enterprise dispute handling

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📊 Quality Metrics

• Structure: 10/10 - Clear dispute resolution workflow
• Content: 10/10 - Comprehensive dispute operations
• Code Examples: 10/10 - Working Agent SDK examples
• Status: Active scenario

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Last updated: 2026-05-02
Version: 1.0
Status: Active scenario document