As more and more people implement versions of the batch API initially implemented in Rails, inspired by Facebook, the time has come to set a standard for how these systems should behave. Via this standard, an app developer should be able to switch from a Rack-based solution to an external Scala batch server or even an implementation baked into Nginx without changing a line of client code.
The attached document (rfc.txt) specifies, in IETF RFC-like format, the project background and how a Batch API system (or client) should behave.
Feature suggestions, formatting improvements (there's a lot to learn about writing RFCs), issues, etc. -- all very welcome. Just submit a pull request!