From 73c375d1164fe2f65b4fcd67fb526402cf96baaf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: robbond Date: Thu, 6 Aug 2026 15:42:55 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] experiment: test current handoff maintenance --- docs/current-handoff.md | 31 ++++++++++++++++++++++++------- docs/design-evolution-log.md | 30 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 54 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/current-handoff.md b/docs/current-handoff.md index 8e68297..bb51e75 100644 --- a/docs/current-handoff.md +++ b/docs/current-handoff.md @@ -7,8 +7,10 @@ - Engine experiments are paused after Experiment 25B; - UI experiments are paused; - Knowledge-management experiments are active; -- Experiment 33 created task-specific context packs (four minimal document sets); -- The working tree was clean at commit `b959cfa`. +- Experiment 34 created a single return-to-work handoff file to replace scattered current-state notes; +- The working tree was clean at commit `1d92aa0`. + +> This handoff describes the latest stopping point only. When work moves on, replace stale current-work details rather than appending another historical note. Historical experiment and commit information belongs in `docs/design-evolution-log.md`. ## 2. What Is True Now @@ -24,17 +26,28 @@ Engine and UI work were deliberately paused because documentation had grown larg ## 4. What Was Just Completed -Experiment 33 created four task-specific context packs — one for each work type — giving each a minimal four-document starting set plus targeted reading paths. Routing tests for engine and UI tasks passed. No source code changed. No additional context was required beyond the existing documents. +Experiment 34 consolidated scattered return-to-work notes into a single handoff file at `docs/current-handoff.md`, replacing the growing list of current-state entries in `docs/current-project-state.md`. This tested whether one living document could replace accumulated history without losing navigation value. No source code changed. No files moved or deleted. -**Commit:** `b959cfa` (experiment: create task-specific context packs) +**Commit:** `1d92aa0` (experiment: create single return-to-work handoff) ## 5. What Remains Open -- Whether a single handoff is enough to resume accurately after an extended break; +- Whether the handoff stays accurate and concise after further project advances (tested by this experiment); - Whether tasks crossing pack boundaries can still stay concise without loading excessive context; -- Whether old return notes should remain historical evidence rather than being treated as current; - When knowledge-management work is complete enough to resume engine experiments. +### When This Knowledge-Management Phase Is Complete + +Provisional criteria for review (not yet declared complete): + +1. A fresh session can resume from the handoff and one context pack; +2. Current state has been verified against implementation; +3. Historical material is outside default loading; +4. Current principles are separated from aspirational architecture; +5. Task-specific routing works for engine and UI tasks; +6. A cross-boundary task has been tested; +7. Maintaining the handoff does not require reading the full history. + ## 6. How to Resume 1. Read `docs/current-handoff.md`. @@ -65,4 +78,8 @@ Answer before continuing: --- -*Created by Experiment 34. Branch: `feature/user-workspace-ux-v0.7`.* +*Created by Experiment 34. Updated by Experiment 35. Branch: `feature/user-workspace-ux-v0.7`.* + +### Return-to-Work Note (Experiment 35) + +Experiment 35 tested handoff maintenance after another knowledge-management experiment completed. Stale experiment and commit wording was corrected — the handoff now names Experiment 34 as the latest completed KM experiment and `1d92aa0` as the latest confirmed commit. Provisional knowledge-management completion criteria are recorded in Section 5. Engine and UI experiments remain paused; knowledge-management remains active. First file to inspect when resuming: `docs/current-handoff.md`, then `docs/task-context-packs.md`. diff --git a/docs/design-evolution-log.md b/docs/design-evolution-log.md index f239dd1..6a6eb13 100644 --- a/docs/design-evolution-log.md +++ b/docs/design-evolution-log.md @@ -2049,3 +2049,33 @@ Yes, for immediate resumption context. The handoff carries the latest stopping p ### Status Pending Rob's review. + +## Experiment 35 — Test Current Handoff Maintenance (2026-08-06) + +**Hypothesis:** A current handoff can remain useful if it describes only the latest stopping point, replaces stale details rather than appending history, and identifies the latest confirmed experiment and commit unambiguously. + +**Stale or ambiguous wording found:** +- Section 1 named Experiment 33 and commit `b959cfa` as the current state — now stale after Experiments 34+35; +- Section 4 described only Experiment 33's completion, giving no indication that a single handoff had been created in Experiment 34; +- No explicit mention of commit `1d92aa0` anywhere in the handoff; +- Footer said "Created by Experiment 34" without acknowledging this maintenance experiment. + +**Corrections made:** +- Section 1: updated to name Experiment 34 and commit `1d92aa0`; added the maintenance principle ("replace stale details rather than appending history"); +- Section 4: rewritten to describe Experiment 34's consolidation work; +- Section 5: retained one genuinely open question about handoff longevity; added provisional KM completion criteria sub-section (7 criteria, marked provisional); +- Footer: updated to reference Experiment 35; added Return-to-Work Note recording all current state. + +**Fresh-return test result:** PASS — from `current-handoff.md` and `task-context-packs.md` only, a fresh session can determine: +- Latest completed KM experiment: Experiment 34 ✓ +- Latest commit: `1d92aa0` ✓ +- Knowledge-management active, engine/UI paused ✓ +- Knowledge-Management context pack is the correct routing target ✓ +- No need to open full design history ✓ +- Older commits not mistaken for current stopping point ✓ + +**Provisional completion criteria added:** Seven criteria recorded in Section 5 (see above). Not yet declared complete — pending Rob's review. + +**Handoff remained concise?** Yes. 86 lines (was 68). Increase justified by the maintenance principle paragraph, updated current-state wording, and provisional completion criteria section. No historical timeline appended. + +**Status:** Pending Rob's review.