Shorten policy documents while preserving their requirements

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2026-09-27 20:03:20 +00:00
parent c4cee12aff
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@@ -172,7 +172,6 @@ when revising the local document. Keep the material description, modification
status, and attribution links accurate. If documents use different upstream
revisions, retain each file's exact source metadata and include the necessary
commit-specific source and notice links in the single project attribution entry.
Update source references when the corresponding upstream changes are incorporated.
Ordinary review should check the resulting rules, attribution facts, and affected
links. A commit-based adoption record is sufficient; no recurring synchronization

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@@ -9,8 +9,7 @@ Read the [agent policy](policy/agents.md) and inspect the working tree before
editing. Preserve unrelated work. Follow explicit task instructions, including
requests to leave changes uncommitted. This repository's policy files retain
their template adoption sections because they are distributed as templates.
Application-specific examples illustrate downstream adoption. This repository
maintains policy templates and reference materials.
Application-specific examples illustrate downstream adoption.
## Policy Reading Guide
@@ -54,5 +53,5 @@ license texts even where it would trigger whitespace warnings.
Pin adopted-source and example links to commits that contain the referenced
files. Discovery links to the upstream project and current adoption guide may
track `main` so downstream agents can find updates. Use local links for new
assets until a containing commit is available. Pin public reference links to existing commits and confirm
their accessibility when preparing publication of the reference changes.
assets until a containing commit is available. Confirm public reference links
are accessible when preparing publication of the reference changes.

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@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
# Agent Policy
**Base Policy Version:** 1.2
**Base Policy Version:** 1.3
**Last Updated**: 2026-09-27
## Base Policy Template
This document is the base template for the canonical house rules that agents must follow while working in this repository. Repositories that implement this policy should:
When adopting this policy:
1. Retain applicable rules and add project-specific requirements;
2. Update the `Last Updated` field to the current date; and
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ Most projects can adopt the substantive rules as written.
## Purpose
Agents working in this repository must read and adhere to the following house rules.
Agents must read and follow these rules.
## Implementation Discipline
@@ -53,13 +53,13 @@ unless that behavior was expressly selected as part of the contract.
## Git Commit Policy
By default, create a commit after completing each coherent unit of work, using a
By default, commit each completed, nonempty unit of work using a
concise, plain-English message describing what changed. This policy is standing
authorization to create those local commits; a separate user request is not
required. An explicit user instruction to leave work uncommitted takes precedence.
A unit of work is a focused, reviewable outcome, including its relevant tests and
documentation. Commit each completed outcome that contains file changes.
documentation.
Complete the appropriate validation before committing. If work is incomplete or
validation is blocked, report that state accurately.

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@@ -1,13 +1,12 @@
# Architecture Policy
**Base Policy Version:** 1.2
**Base Policy Version:** 1.3
**Last Updated**: 2026-09-27
## Base Policy Template
This document is the base template for the canonical architecture policy.
Repositories that implement this policy should:
When adopting this policy:
1. Replace the application-specific guidance below with the repository's
purpose, adopted architectural constraints, and relevant non-goals;
@@ -44,16 +43,10 @@ for collaborators with external integration responsibilities.
## Adopted Constraints And Implemented Structure
An adopted architectural constraint governs development, including future
functionality. For example, a rule that external integrations belong behind
adapters applies whenever such integrations are introduced. Describe current
structure from implemented behavior.
Describe implemented structure accurately. Keep proposals and implementation
status in the roadmap, and significant decisions and their rationale in ADRs.
When an accepted decision requires changing existing structure, identify that
transition through those documents. Describe the target structure as implemented
when the corresponding changes land.
Architectural constraints govern current and future development. Record
implemented structure accurately, proposals and implementation status in the
roadmap, and significant decisions and rationale in ADRs. Describe a target
structure as implemented when its changes land.
Constraints must reflect deliberately selected requirements and decisions.
Do not promote incidental implementation choices into architectural invariants.

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@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
# Documentation Policy
**Base Policy Version:** 1.10
**Base Policy Version:** 1.11
**Last Updated**: 2026-09-27
## Base Policy Template
This document is the base template for the canonical documentation policy. Repositories that implement this policy should:
When adopting this policy:
1. Review the list of documents under the `Canonical Ownership` heading, remove any entries that do not currently apply and are not expected to apply to the current project, and add any additional entries that may be required by the current project;
2. Create documents for applicable responsibilities when substantive content is available;
@@ -72,32 +72,32 @@ secret values.
| Topic | Canonical owner | Owned content | Content owned elsewhere |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Product orientation and minimal end-to-end quickstart | `README.md` | What this application is, why it is useful, one shortest successful invocation, and links onward, including license and attribution navigation. | Complete command reference, configuration reference, operational procedures, implementation detail. |
| Contributor entry point | `docs/development.md` | Task-oriented reading guide, minimal contributor orientation, baseline validation commands, and links to canonical docs. | Package inventory, architecture rules, subsystem behavior, detailed change recipes. |
| Application architecture policy | `docs/policy/architecture.md` | System shape, normative ownership, dependency direction, architectural boundaries, invariants, safety properties, and non-goals. | Concrete package inventory, implementation mechanics, contributor procedures, decision history, future work. |
| Policy-set provenance and upstream navigation | `docs/policy/meta.md` | Origin of the adopted policy set, local authority, meaning of adoption baselines, and links to upstream adoption and update guidance. | Task-specific reading triggers, detailed adoption procedures, and formal attribution notices. |
| Agent policy | `docs/policy/agents.md` | Implementation discipline for coding agents, including proportionality, idiomatic simplicity, and rules against inventing requirements, restrictions, guarantees, or repository policy. | Application contracts, architecture, testing policy, and contributor procedures. |
| Product orientation and minimal end-to-end quickstart | `README.md` | Purpose, value, shortest successful invocation, and navigation, including licensing and attribution. | Complete command reference, configuration reference, operational procedures, implementation detail. |
| Contributor entry point | `docs/development.md` | Task-oriented reading guide, contributor orientation, baseline validation commands, and canonical links. | Package inventory, architecture rules, subsystem behavior, detailed change recipes. |
| Application architecture policy | `docs/policy/architecture.md` | System shape, normative ownership, dependency direction, boundaries, invariants, safety properties, and non-goals. | Concrete package inventory, implementation mechanics, contributor procedures, decision history, future work. |
| Policy-set provenance and upstream navigation | `docs/policy/meta.md` | Policy-set origin, local authority, adoption baselines, and upstream adoption and update links. | Task-specific reading triggers, detailed adoption procedures, and formal attribution notices. |
| Agent policy | `docs/policy/agents.md` | Proportionate, idiomatic implementation; rules against inventing requirements, restrictions, guarantees, or policy. | Application contracts, architecture, testing policy, and contributor procedures. |
| Documentation policy | `docs/policy/documentation.md` | Documentation ownership, audience boundaries, maintenance rules, and ADR/document lifecycle. | Application architecture or product behavior. |
| Testing policy | `docs/policy/testing.md` | Test philosophy, risk-based sufficiency, test boundaries, doubles, coverage guidance, regression-test policy, and criteria for adding, rewriting, or deleting tests. | Subsystem behavior, application contracts, subsystem-specific test inventories, and implementation plans. |
| Release policy | `docs/policy/release.md` | Versioning and compatibility rules, release integrity and immutability requirements, release-documentation policy, proportionate gate selection, publication controls, release completion, and the boundary between required checks and optional verification. | Repository-specific commands, product installation guidance, CLI version semantics, historical release summaries, and CI implementation detail. |
| Open source licensing and attribution policy | `docs/policy/oss.md` | Project licensing defaults and author choices, COPYRIGHT conventions, upstream attribution format, license-text and notice-link conventions, discoverability, maintenance, and handling of concrete exceptions. | Component entries, license texts, release commands, and dependency security review. |
| Project copyright and license grant | `COPYRIGHT` | Project identity, copyright holders and years, SPDX expression, license grant, warranty disclaimer, and statement about third-party material. | Complete license texts and upstream component attribution. |
| Project license texts | `LICENSE` | Complete project license text and incorporated companion text, with project-specific fields where required by the selected license. | General licensing policy and upstream component attribution. |
| Upstream component attribution | `docs/oss/attribution.md` | Factual identification of incorporated code, documentation, and assets, including material scope and modification status where applicable, copyright statements, license identification, required upstream notices, and license, notice, and source links in the House Format. | General attribution policy, exception reasoning, research narratives, compliance commentary, and complete standard license texts. |
| Standard dependency license texts | `docs/oss/licenses/` | Complete, verbatim standard license texts shared by attribution entries where applicable. | Project-specific upstream notices, attribution prose, and policy interpretation. |
| Repository-specific release procedure | `docs/release.md` | Maintainer prerequisites, candidate preparation, concrete validation and publication commands, automated publication guards, asynchronous deliverable publication, separate delivery status, optional consumer-facing verification, and failure recovery. | General release requirements, product installation guidance, historical release summaries, and current compatibility contracts. |
| Testing policy | `docs/policy/testing.md` | Test philosophy, risk sufficiency, boundaries, doubles, coverage, regressions, and test maintenance. | Subsystem behavior, application contracts, subsystem-specific test inventories, and implementation plans. |
| Release policy | `docs/policy/release.md` | Versioning, compatibility, release integrity and immutability, release documentation, proportionate gates, publication controls, completion, and required versus optional checks. | Repository-specific commands, product installation guidance, CLI version semantics, historical release summaries, and CI implementation detail. |
| Open source licensing and attribution policy | `docs/policy/oss.md` | License defaults and author choices, COPYRIGHT and attribution formats, license/notice links, discoverability, maintenance, and concrete exceptions. | Component entries, license texts, release commands, and dependency security review. |
| Project copyright and license grant | `COPYRIGHT` | Project identity, copyright holders and years, SPDX expression, grant, warranty disclaimer, and third-party statement. | Complete license texts and upstream component attribution. |
| Project license texts | `LICENSE` | Complete project and incorporated companion license texts, with required project-specific fields. | General licensing policy and upstream component attribution. |
| Upstream component attribution | `docs/oss/attribution.md` | House Format component entries: identity, material scope and modifications where applicable, copyright, license, required notices, and license, notice, and source links. | General attribution policy, exception reasoning, research narratives, compliance commentary, and complete standard license texts. |
| Standard dependency license texts | `docs/oss/licenses/` | Complete, verbatim standard license texts shared by applicable entries. | Project-specific upstream notices, attribution prose, and policy interpretation. |
| Repository-specific release procedure | `docs/release.md` | Maintainer prerequisites, candidate preparation, validation and publication commands and automated guards, asynchronous deliverables, delivery status, optional consumer verification, and recovery. | General release requirements, product installation guidance, historical release summaries, and current compatibility contracts. |
| CLI contract (if applicable) | `docs/cli.md` | Commands, arguments, flags, invocation semantics, and exit codes. | End-to-end operating procedures, configuration field definitions, runtime filesystem layout, module implementation details. |
| Configuration contract (if applicable) | `docs/config.md` | Discovery and precedence, file schema, fields, defaults, environment overrides, validation rules, and user-selectable module or validator keys. | Complete example files, CLI syntax, runtime state lifecycle, module implementation details. |
| Operations (if applicable) | `docs/operations.md` | Runtime workflows, physical filesystem and state layout, output, cache, and debug handling, resume, cleanup, permissions, recovery, and operational limits. | CLI flag syntax, configuration field definitions, logical output schemas, implementation mechanics. |
| Configuration contract (if applicable) | `docs/config.md` | Discovery, precedence, schema, fields, defaults, environment overrides, validation, and selectable module and validator keys. | Complete example files, CLI syntax, runtime state lifecycle, module implementation details. |
| Operations (if applicable) | `docs/operations.md` | Runtime workflows, physical filesystem and state layout, output, cache and debug handling, resume, cleanup, permissions, recovery, and limits. | CLI flag syntax, configuration field definitions, logical output schemas, implementation mechanics. |
| Public HTTP contract (if applicable) | `docs/api.md` | Routes, authentication, media types, request and response schemas, status codes, pagination, caching, idempotency, rate limits, and HTTP retry semantics. | Client walkthroughs, upstream or downstream integration internals, implementation detail. |
| Consumer guidance for the public Go API (if applicable) | `docs/consumers/` | Task-oriented use of the public interface, minimal client examples, and consumer responsibilities. | HTTP wire semantics, external protocol contracts, internal implementation detail. |
| Integration contracts for external components (if applicable) | `docs/integrations/` | External file formats and protocols, upstream and downstream contracts, logical output bundle paths and schemas, media types, and compatibility behavior. | Physical runtime placement and lifecycle, internal transformations, CLI syntax, configuration defaults. |
| Inventory of implemented internal packages | `docs/internal/overview.md` | Current packages and components, their implemented responsibilities, and links to focused internal docs. | Normative architecture, contributor reading policy, external contracts. |
| Behavior and architecture of internal packages | Other files under `docs/internal/` | Implementation flow, internal collaborators and state transitions, package-local guarantees and failures, and relevant tests. | Global architecture invariants, configuration definitions and defaults, external schemas, operator procedures. |
| Consumer guidance for the public Go API (if applicable) | `docs/consumers/` | Task-oriented public Go API usage, minimal examples, and consumer responsibilities. | HTTP wire semantics, external protocol contracts, internal implementation detail. |
| Integration contracts for external components (if applicable) | `docs/integrations/` | External formats and protocols, upstream and downstream contracts, logical output paths and schemas, media types, and compatibility. | Physical runtime placement and lifecycle, internal transformations, CLI syntax, configuration defaults. |
| Inventory of implemented internal packages | `docs/internal/overview.md` | Implemented packages and components, responsibilities, and links to focused internal docs. | Normative architecture, contributor reading policy, external contracts. |
| Behavior and architecture of internal packages | Other files under `docs/internal/` | Implementation flow, collaborators, state transitions, package-local guarantees and failures, and relevant tests. | Global architecture invariants, configuration definitions and defaults, external schemas, operator procedures. |
| Architectural decision records | `docs/adr/` | Significant decisions, context, alternatives, rationale, consequences, and supersession history. | Current behavior reference, implementation status, task sequencing. |
| Future work and implementation status | `docs/roadmap/` | Proposed, accepted, deferred, or rejected work; implementation status; sequencing; and task breakdowns. | Implemented behavior reference and architectural decision rationale. |
| Release-note history | `docs/releases/` | One checked-in historical summary for each source release made under the procedure. The note at the immutable tag is that release's record. | Current commands, behavior, contracts, and compatibility definitions. |
| Complete copyable artifacts | `examples/` | Maintained configuration, inputs, and other files intended to be copied or run. | Field-by-field reference, command reference, prose explanation. |
| Future work and implementation status | `docs/roadmap/` | Proposed, accepted, deferred, or rejected work; implementation status, sequencing, and task breakdowns. | Implemented behavior reference and architectural decision rationale. |
| Release-note history | `docs/releases/` | One checked-in summary per source release under the procedure; the note at its immutable tag is the release record. | Current commands, behavior, contracts, and compatibility definitions. |
| Complete copyable artifacts | `examples/` | Maintained configuration, inputs, and other copyable or runnable files. | Field-by-field reference, command reference, prose explanation. |
Create supporting documents for existing interfaces and responsibilities when
substantive content is available.
@@ -106,10 +106,8 @@ substantive content is available.
### Orientation
The README owns product orientation. The developer guide routes contributors.
Architecture owns normative structure. Internal overview owns the current
concrete component map. These documents may link to one another but should not
maintain parallel package or behavior descriptions.
Link among orientation, architecture, and internal documents; maintain each
package or behavior description in its canonical owner.
### Commands, Configuration, And Operations
@@ -130,11 +128,9 @@ consistent with adopted policy.
### Project Licensing And Upstream Attribution
The [OSS policy](oss.md) defines project licensing conventions, the upstream
House Format, and README and release-link conventions. `COPYRIGHT` states the
project grant; `LICENSE` supplies its complete license texts. Attribution entries
own component-specific information. README and release documents provide navigation to those canonical materials; the
release procedure owns URL construction and publication mechanics.
README and release documents link to the canonical licensing and attribution
materials under the [OSS policy](oss.md). The release procedure owns URL
construction and publication mechanics.
### Contracts And Implementation

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@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
# Open Source Licensing And Attribution Policy
**Base Policy Version:** 1.7
**Base Policy Version:** 1.8
**Last Updated**: 2026-09-27
@@ -21,8 +21,7 @@ Repositories adopting this policy should:
Selected standard license texts are available in this template repository's
[reference collection](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/a469273adda336625f96b9d769ea27b33999f146/docs/oss/licenses/README.md). Copy the applicable texts,
including companion licenses, into the adopting repository. The collection is a
reference collection from which projects select applicable texts. Maintain the
including companion licenses, into the adopting repository. Maintain the
project's own attribution entries and upstream notice links under this policy.
## Purpose And Scope
@@ -49,13 +48,12 @@ compatibility, or resolve every obligation arising from use or distribution.
The [documentation policy](documentation.md) assigns ownership:
- `COPYRIGHT` contains the project name, copyright statements, SPDX expression,
license grant, warranty disclaimer, and statement about third-party material.
- `COPYRIGHT`: project name, copyright statements, SPDX expression, grant,
warranty disclaimer, and third-party statement.
- `LICENSE` contains the complete, unmodified project license text, including
incorporated companion text. Dependency attribution does not relicense the project.
- `docs/oss/attribution.md` contains the canonical component entries.
- `docs/oss/licenses/` contains complete, verbatim standard license texts,
including companion texts where applicable.
- `docs/oss/attribution.md`: canonical component entries.
- `docs/oss/licenses/`: complete, verbatim standard and applicable companion texts.
Use recognizable license filenames, such as `Apache-2.0.txt` or `LGPL-3.0.txt`.
A shared standard text may serve multiple entries. Keep explanations outside
@@ -63,12 +61,9 @@ license texts and preserve distinct versions and exceptions.
## Upstream Reference Examples
The linked examples are reference material hosted in the public policy
repository at a fixed commit. Retain these upstream links when adopting this
policy and keep the example collection upstream. Create the project's actual
`COPYRIGHT` and attribution files using the examples. Applicable license texts
still belong locally in
`LICENSE` and `docs/oss/licenses/` as specified here.
Use the commit-pinned upstream examples to create actual project notices.
Retain their links and keep the example collection upstream; keep applicable
license texts locally as specified above.
## Project Licensing
@@ -135,8 +130,7 @@ Each entry presents these five fields in order, with blank lines between them:
Use the upstream [attribution example](https://gitea.maximumdirect.net/eric/policy/src/commit/a469273adda336625f96b9d769ea27b33999f146/examples/licensing/attribution.md)
to create the project’s `docs/oss/attribution.md`.
Its three illustrative entries demonstrate a normal entry, omission of an
unavailable copyright statement, and multiple copyrights and license texts.
The example illustrates omitted fields and multiple copyrights and licenses.
Replace the uppercase placeholders and illustrative URLs with actual component
information. Local license links are relative to the destination
`docs/oss/attribution.md`; copy the applicable texts into its `licenses/`

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@@ -1,13 +1,12 @@
# Release Policy
**Base Policy Version:** 1.3
**Base Policy Version:** 1.4
**Last Updated**: 2026-09-27
## Base Policy Template
This document is the base template for the canonical release policy.
Repositories that implement this policy should:
When adopting this policy:
1. Adapt its requirements to the application's release needs, keeping gates
minimal and proportionate;
@@ -59,9 +58,8 @@ the tagged source. The procedure must identify those deliverables and the
responsibility of their automation. Published deliverables must be traceable
to that source and identify the same version.
Track source-release completion and artifact delivery separately. Successful
tag publication completes the source release. Report delivery failures and
optional investigations under artifact-delivery status.
Track source-release completion and artifact delivery separately. Report delivery
failures and optional investigations under artifact-delivery status.
## Versioning And Compatibility
@@ -98,7 +96,7 @@ title containing the product name and that exact version.
Include a short summary and any relevant compatibility impact or upgrade
instructions. Choose sections suited to the release and keep the note
proportionate to the change. Apply the format to new release notes.
proportionate to the change.
Keep exact current contracts in their canonical documents and update affected
documentation with the behavior change. Link to those documents from the note

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@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
# Testing Policy
**Base Policy Version:** 1.2
**Base Policy Version:** 1.3
**Last Updated**: 2026-09-27
## Base Policy Template
This document is the base template for the canonical testing policy. Repositories that implement this policy should:
When adopting this policy:
1. Retain applicable rules and add project-specific requirements;
2. Update the `Last Updated` field to the current date; and
@@ -85,7 +85,8 @@ Do not add tests merely because a function, branch, or line exists. Do not add a
## Choose the right test boundary
Test through the narrowest stable boundary that expresses the behavior clearly.
Choose the narrowest stable boundary that expresses the behavior clearly and
provides durable confidence with minimal incidental coupling.
This is often the package API, but it may instead be:
@@ -93,20 +94,13 @@ This is often the package API, but it may instead be:
- a package-level operation when several internal collaborators jointly produce the behavior; or
- a larger integration boundary when correctness emerges from interaction with a real dependency.
Choose the boundary that gives durable confidence with the least incidental coupling.
## Test behavior, not implementation
A test should protect a selected decision, contract, or invariant.
A test is suspect when its main purpose is to detect that someone:
- changed an internal constant;
- renamed or split a private helper;
- reordered equivalent internal operations;
- changed incidental formatting;
- replaced one correct algorithm with another; or
- refactored internal object structure without changing behavior.
A test is suspect when it primarily detects changes to private constants or
helpers, equivalent operation ordering, incidental formatting, equivalent
algorithms, or internal structure that preserves behavior.
Behavioral tests should normally remain stable through internal refactoring that preserves the contract.
@@ -172,7 +166,7 @@ Use a test-controlled limit and measure the behavior relative to that limit.
## Assign each behavior a test owner
Each behavior should have a clear test owner. Where these layers exist:
Where these layers exist, assign ownership as follows:
- Parser tests own parsing cases.
- Validator tests own validation rules.
@@ -203,12 +197,9 @@ Mocks are appropriate when the contract includes facts such as:
- an expensive API is called no more than once; or
- a security audit event is emitted.
Use mocks for contractual interactions.
## Go-specific guidance
Select techniques according to the behavior and risk being tested. The following
are options to select where they provide useful protection:
Select techniques by behavior and risk:
- table-driven tests for meaningful behavioral categories and boundaries;
- `t.TempDir()` for real filesystem behavior;
@@ -242,19 +233,16 @@ Remove or consolidate a test when the underlying design has made recurrence impo
## Deleting or rewriting tests
Maintain tests according to their continuing protective value.
Delete or rewrite a test when its maintenance cost exceeds the confidence it provides.
Delete or rewrite tests when maintenance cost exceeds their continuing
protective value.
Strong candidates include tests that:
- require updates after harmless internal changes;
- directly assert private constants without protecting a real contract;
- duplicate the same policy across several layers;
- assert incidental private constants or snapshot large amounts of incidental output;
- verify mock choreography rather than outcomes;
- snapshot large amounts of incidental output;
- test trivial private helpers already exercised through stable package behavior;
- protect risks already covered more effectively elsewhere;
- duplicate policy across layers, retest trivial helpers covered by package
behavior, or protect risks covered more effectively elsewhere;
- are flaky, misleading, obsolete, or disproportionately expensive to diagnose; or
- no longer correspond to a plausible failure mode.
@@ -280,6 +268,5 @@ A test suite is sufficient when:
- tests usually remain stable through legitimate internal changes; and
- additional tests would mostly repeat existing protection or preserve inconsequential implementation details.
Judge sufficiency by protection against consequential failures, useful failure
signals, and stability through legitimate internal changes. Reassess it as the
application, its users, and the consequences of failure evolve.
Reassess sufficiency as the application, its users, and the consequences of
failure evolve.