A distributed resource model is described that maintains traits of resources in a distributed computing system. The traits include properties, commands, and events that, along with protocols operating in the distributed computing system, provide real-time access to the traits of resources in the distributed computing system, as well as real-time command of controls for the resources. Controllers manage and publish the traits of resources and provide various types of functionality, such as arbitration, complexity management, fan-out of capabilities, coordination, adaptation, and resource proxying.