# Encoding Type: Encode (E) > The meta-level action of crystallizing a D, O, L, C, H, or Open into a structured, quality-scored artifact. Encode is a receipt that capture happened, not another category of content. --- ## Summary — The Self-Audit Layer Encode tracks the crystallization work itself. Every time `oddkit_encode` runs, it takes one or more DOLCHEO artifacts and structures them — producing a quality score, a persistence flag, and suggestions for improvement. Recording the Encode event as its own entry closes the loop between "discussed" and "captured." A ledger with five Decisions and zero Encodes says the decisions were mentioned but never formally processed. A ledger with Encodes but no corresponding saves says crystallization happened and the artifacts were lost in the response stream (see `docs/oddkit/proactive/encode-does-not-persist.md`). Both gaps are visible from the E entries alone. --- ## Type Identity | Field | Value | |---|---| | Letter | E | | Name | Encode | --- ## Field Schema | Field | Recommended | Description | |---|---|---| | type | yes | Always `E` | | title | yes | Short summary of what was crystallized | | body | yes | What was encoded, the quality level returned, whether persistence was required, and what was done with the output | --- ## Trigger Words (Fallback Classification) ``` encoded, crystallized, captured via encode, persisted, wrote to ledger, journaled, saved encode output, ran oddkit_encode ```