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EIP-8235: EIP tagging

Requirements and governance process for the modification of EIP tags and the list of well-defined tags.

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Created2026-04-18
Discussion Linkhttps://ethereum-magicians.org/t/meta-eip-8235-eip-tagging/28275
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Pull Request#11545PR open

EIP-GPT summary

Contents
AbstractSpecificationTag structureTag requirementsCreation of new tagsRemoval of existing tagsDefined tagsThe el namespaceThe cl namespaceThe net namespaceThe meta namespaceRationaleSecurity ConsiderationsCopyright

Abstract

This document defines the set of well-known tags that EIPs may use to categorize themselves. The process and governance rules for appending to this list are also defined within this document

Specification

The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "NOT RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119 and RFC 8174.

Tag structure

EIP tags must follow the structure of namespace:category[/subcategory] with the [/subcategory] section of a tag being optional if an EIP covers the majority of the parent tag.

Tag requirements

All defined tags MUST adhere to the following conditions:

  • Tags MUST be generic. They MUST NOT specify how something is done, they can only specify the outcome of the proposal.
  • Tags MUST belong to exactly one namespace, if a tag could span multiple namespaces it SHOULD be duplicated per namespace.
  • Tags MUST be accompanied by a definition of the tag's scope. Tag definitions MUST NOT introduce ambiguity with existing tags.
  • Tags SHALL be short and human readable.
  • Tags SHALL be mutually exclusive of each other. Tags should not depend on any other tag than its parent tag.

Creation of new tags

Newly proposed tags MUST satisfy at least one of the following conditions:

  • The tag is required to allow EIP with the meta:experimental tag to finalize
  • The tag describes behaviour that is present within a reasonable implementation of protocol

Should editor consensus be reached that a proposed tag meets the above requirements, the tag name and definition MUST be appended to this document's Defined Tags section.

Removal of existing tags

If any defined tag fails to satisfy any of the requirements for creation, it MUST be removed from this document. It MAY be added again if it once again meets the creation requirements.

Final, Withdrawn or Stagnant EIPs MUST NOT be modified if a dependent tag ceases to exist.

All other EIPs MUST remove any references to removed tags before they can finalize.

Defined tags

The currently defined tags that are permitted in an EIP are defined below.

The el namespace

Tag nameDescription
el:blockModifications to the structure, processing or handling of blocks. (Excluding EVM processing)
el:cryptographyIntroduction or modification of any new cryptographic primitive or algorithms.
el:data-availabilityIntroduction or modification of any system with a primary purpose of providing data availability to external consumers outside of the EVM.
el:evmIntroduction or modification of the processing or structure of EVM bytecode.
el:evm/opcodeIntroduction or modification of specific EVM opcodes.
el:evm/precompileIntroduction or modification of precompiled contracts.
el:receiptModifications to the structure or handling of transaction receipts.
el:stateChanges to how the state is structured or processed.
el:transactionModification or introduction of a transactions structure or processing or introduction of new transaction types. (Excluding EVM processing)
el:transaction/typeIntroduction of new transaction types. (Excluding EVM processing)
el:validatorChanges to how validators are processed on the execution layer.

The cl namespace

Tag nameDescription
cl:cryptographyIntroduction or modification of any new cryptographic primitive or algorithms.
cl:data-availabilityIntroduction or modification of any system with a primary purpose of providing data availability to external consumers outside of the EVM.
cl:finalizationChanges to how blocks are finalized.
cl:fork-choiceChanges to how the the next correct block is selected.
cl:lightSystems that have a primary purpose of providing for light clients.
cl:slotModifications to the structure, timing, processing or handling of slots.
cl:validatorChanges to validator operation or processing.

The net namespace

Tag nameDescription
net:transportsChanges to how messages are passed between clients.
net:discoveryChanges to how clients discover and peer with each other.
net:identificationHow peers may identify themselves to other peers.
net:protocolIntroduction or changes of specific protocols.
net:protocol/executionProtocols for execution bound messages.
net:protocol/syncProtocols that have a primary purpose of syncing with other peers.
net:protocol/consensusProtocols for consensus bound messages.
net:protocol/light-clientProtocols that have a primary purpose of providing light clients with chain information.
net:protocol/rpcProtocols for communication of chain data between clients

The meta namespace

Tag nameDescription
meta:experimentalEIPs that have functionality that does not fit into pre-existing tags. EIPs with this tag cannot finalize, tags should be created to replace this tag before finalization.

Rationale

Security Considerations

No security issues found.

Copyright and related rights waived via CC0.

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