We propose an abstract framework of a kind of representation theory for $C^*$-flows, i.e., $C^*$-algebras equipped with one-parameter automorphism groups, as a proper generalization of Olshanski's formalism of unitary representation theory for infinite-dimensional groups such as the infinite-dimensional unitary group $\mathrm{U}(\infty)$. The present framework, in particular, clarifies some overlaps and/or similarities between a certain unitary representation theory of infinite-dimensional groups and existing works in operator algebras, and captures arbitrary projective chains arising from links.

typos corrected; a sequel to this paper is arXiv:2201.10931