  Error-correcting codes are usually envisioned to counter errors by operating
unitary corrections depending on the projective measurement results of some
syndrome observables. We here propose a way to use them in a more integrated
way, where the error correction is applied continuously and autonomously by an
engineered environment. We focus on a proposal for the repetition code that
counters bit-flip errors, and how to scale up the network encoding a logical
quantum bit, towards stronger information protection. The challenge has been to
devise a network architecture which allows to autonomously correct higher-order
errors, while remaining realistic towards experimental realization by avoiding
all-to-all or all-to-one coupling.
