I know everyone wants an absolute concrete answer on this. In some more simple games, you could get one. However, Boundless is a complex, intricate, living game. Devs can’t know how players will use and/or exploit their game. This is true for any game, especially these large, complicated ones.
Exploits and bugs that players find, provide the devs with useful info. Not all exploits are inherently bad or should be a bannable offense. It depends on what it is, how it can be used, to what degree it was used (ie: could it break the game or destroy the economy?), etc. I believe people were asked to contact them (James & team) privately with the info. Several players have chosen to post it here on the forums. I think this happens because: A. the rules are quite vague and not consistent, B. because this community is connected/comfortable/friends with each other. Devs have to go on a case by case basis. They have to consider intent, damage done or the possibility of it, if it’s a useful exploit that should be added/kept/green-lit, and so on.
We can see that Monumental is going through material/data and updating the info. At some point, I assume they’ll go through and update the Code of Conduct. They should add a clause for bugs/exploits/scripts/macros that’s more clear & consistent. Maybe they won’t though. They may need to leave it vague so that they can continue to determine things on a case-by-case basis.
If there is a big influx of players at some point, they’ll need to keep a closer eye on these things. Since this is a living MMO, the economy is an important feature that has to be monitored and protected. It affects everyone’s gameplay.
Personally, I don’t like it when people use exploits/mods that others either can’t or aren’t aware of. Some of these things that players come up with are quite ingenious though. The devs have to consider each one on a case by case basis. There’s really not a better way to go about it.