{"ok":true,"kind":"lesson","integrity":{"knowledge":"free","capability":"paid_x402_optional","rule":"Every concept on a path is fully teachable without purchase. Skills are optional implementations, never required reading.","display":"Learn free. Buy only if you want a ready-to-run sealed pack."},"lesson":{"schema_version":"lvl-knowledge-lesson-v1","id":"path-ae-02-free-knowledge-vs-paid-capability","category":"path","path_ids":["understand-agent-economy"],"title":"Free knowledge vs paid capability","summary":"The integrity line that makes a marketplace trustworthy: concepts stay open; ready-to-run sealed implementations can be paid.","body":"## The integrity line\n\n**Knowledge** answers: *how does this work, when should I use it, what can go wrong?*  \n**Capability** answers: *give me the sealed files / tools that already implement it.*\n\nOn LVL:\n\n| Free (always) | Paid (optional) |\n|---------------|-----------------|\n| Learning paths & lessons | Sealed skill packs |\n| Free outlines & samples | Full `src/` and ops packs |\n| Trust scorecard explanations | Operator-verified execution lab time |\n| Catalog, llms.txt, proof API | Unlock after USDC settlement |\n\n## Why education must stand alone\n\nIf a “lesson” only works as a sales script, readers leave and agents stop trusting the host.  \nA smart human should be able to **rebuild the idea** after reading free content — and only pay when they want the **done-for-them** pack.\n\n## How we label optional skills\n\nWhen a lesson links a skill, it is labeled **optional implementation**, never “required next step to finish learning.”\n\n## Red flags elsewhere\n\n- “Free chapter” that hides the whole method behind a paywall\n- Fake free trials that still need a card\n- Invented student counts or unlock volume\n\n## Takeaway\n\nTrust is a product feature. Free knowledge + optional paid capability is the contract.","concepts":["integrity-split","free-evaluation","sealed-packs"],"related_skills_optional":[],"sort_order":20,"estimated_minutes":7,"last_updated":"2026-07-22T12:00:00.000Z","freshness":{"last_updated_at":"2026-07-22T12:00:00.000Z","days_since_update":0,"band":"fresh","score_0_100":95,"label":"Fresh","display":"Fresh · updated 2026-07-22 (0d ago)"},"integrity":{"knowledge_free":true,"skills_optional":true,"note":"This lesson is complete without purchasing any skill."},"related_bundles_optional":[],"url":"https://lvlltd.com/learn/lessons/path-ae-02-free-knowledge-vs-paid-capability/","updated_at":"2026-07-22T21:10:40.587Z"},"note":"Knowledge free. related_skills_optional are implementations, not requirements."}