---
title: The Cover Trap
description: "### Definition operator reads the visible metric while the load-bearing metric is invisible Open Questions: - Lock decision: promote, hold, or retire. Workshop Trail: ### Explanation Locked at the definition layer. Full explanation pending workshop pass."
url: "https://kb.jeffreysummers.com/docs/the-cover-trap/"
updated: "2026-08-13"
category: "The Operator's Dictionary"
---

# The Cover Trap

### Definition

operator reads the visible metric while the load-bearing metric is invisible Open Questions: - Lock decision: promote, hold, or retire. Workshop Trail:

### Explanation

Locked at the definition layer. Full explanation pending workshop pass.