According to Freud, what principle does the ego operate on?

According to Freud, the ego operates on the reality principle (c). The reality principle governs the ego’s decision-making process by considering the constraints of the external world while trying to satisfy the desires of the id. While the id seeks immediate gratification based on the pleasure principle, the ego seeks to mediate between the id’s desires and the demands of reality, ensuring that actions are socially acceptable and timely.