---
id: PIPE-9
family: RT-PIPE
level: extended
profiles: [runtime]
posture: normative-target
added: "1.0"
changed: "1.0"
source: https://flowdrop.io/spec/rules/rt-pipe/pipe-9
specification: FlowDrop Workflow Specification 1.0-draft
licence: CC BY 4.0
---

# PIPE-9 — A timestamp is never fabricated

*RT-PIPE (Part II) · level: extended · profiles: runtime · added in 1.0*

A run that has not finished has no finish time, and a missing creation time is missing. Publishing "now" in place of either makes a consumer believe something that did not happen.

## The rule

> **Normative.** This is the rule.
>
> 1. `lastExecuted` is the run's completion stamp, or null where the run has not completed, on the full document and the lightweight one alike.
>
> 2. `createdAt` is the run's creation stamp, or null where none is recorded, on both documents equally.
>
> 3. No timestamp is substituted for a missing one.

## Why

Recorded under OPEN-19.

## Related rules

- Names: PIPE-1

---

Rule identifiers are permanent and are never renumbered. This specification carries
no implementation status: each implementation publishes its own standing against
these rules. Licensed CC BY 4.0.