Standard actions which change the state of things
locking it withunlocking it withswitching onswitching offopeningclosingwearingtaking off
Closing something (past tense closed): applying to one thing
Closing makes something into a physical barrier. The action can be performed on any kind of thing which provides the either/or properties openable and open. The 'can't close unless openable rule' tests to see if the noun both can be and actually is openable. (It is assumed that anything which can be openable can also be open, and hence can also be closed.) In the Standard Rules, the container and door kinds both satisfy these requirements.
We can create a new kind on which opening and closing will work thus: 'A case file is a kind of thing. A case file can be openable. A case file can be open. A case file is usually openable and closed.'
The meaning of open and closed is different for different kinds of thing. When a container is closed, that means people outside cannot reach in, and vice versa; when a door is closed, people cannot use the 'going' action to pass through it. If we were to create a new kind such as 'case file', we would also need to write rules to make the open and closed properties interesting for this kind.
Typed commands leading to this action
"close [something]" - closing
"close up [something]" - closing
Rules controlling this action
check an actor closing can't close unless openable rule name unlist
check an actor closing can't close what's already closed rule name unlist
carry out an actor closing standard closing rule name unlist
report an actor closing standard report closing rule name unlist