Proof of Non-Existence (PNE)

Proof of Non-Existence (PNE)

Proof of Non-Existence is a small, focused software primitive designed to do exactly one thing:

Generate and verify proof that a specified artifact, file, or state never existed within an explicitly declared scope.

This is not inference.
It is a mechanically verifiable claim.

What This Is

This tool:

• Declares an explicit scope

• Traverses that scope deterministically

• Applies strict non-existence rules

• Produces a sealed proof artifact

• Allows later verification of the same claim

The output is evidence, not confidence.

What This Is Not

This tool does not:

• Prove deletion (use Provable Deletion for that)

• Monitor systems

• Predict future states

• Make probabilistic claims

• Infer intent

• Run continuously

If non-existence cannot be proven, no claim is made.

Why This Exists

Many claims depend on absence:

• “This file was never present”

• “This configuration never existed”

• “This state was never reached”

Most systems cannot prove these claims.

Proof of Non-Existence exists to make absence a verifiable outcome.

How It Works (High Level)

1. A scope is explicitly declared

2. The system is traversed deterministically

3. Existence rules are applied

4. Absence is recorded under strict criteria

5. A sealed artifact is produced

6. Verification replays the same process

The result is binary:

• VALID

• INVALID

• OUT OF SCOPE

Included

• Local CLI tool

• Deterministic verification engine

• Documentation

• Tests covering failure and adversarial cases

No network access.
No telemetry.

Intended Use

This tool is for:

• Developers validating non-existence claims

• Researchers working with sensitive or constrained systems

• Auditors verifying historical absence

• Tool builders composing proof-based workflows

If you need monitoring, enforcement, or guarantees, this is not that.

Philosophy

This project follows three rules:

1. Explicit scope

2. Deterministic execution

3. Artifact-only truth

If a proof exists, it can be verified.
If it doesn’t, no claim is made.

License / Disclaimer

This tool makes no guarantees beyond its documented behavior.
You are responsible for determining whether the produced artifacts are sufficient for your use case.

Related Primitives

This tool is part of a small set of standalone verification primitives, including:

• Provable Deletion (PD)

• Provable Non-Access (PNA)

• Proof of Boundary Integrity (PBI)

Each primitive is independent and composable.

Download

Single archive.
Local execution only.
No installer required.

Part of the Verification Primitives Catalog.

https://stealtheyellc.itch.io/verification-primitives-catalog