# Development

This is the contributor entry point for Promptkit, a reusable Go library. All
contributors must read the
[architecture policy](policy/architecture.md) before making changes.

## Initial Orientation

Before starting work:

1. inspect the working tree and preserve unrelated changes;
2. read the policy, contract, and internal documents listed for the task;
3. inspect the relevant implementation and tests before deciding how to change
   them; and
4. keep documentation limited to implemented behavior unless an accepted
   decision or temporary roadmap explicitly owns future work.

Start with:

- the [architecture policy](policy/architecture.md) for library boundaries,
  dependency direction, invariants, and non-goals;
- the [internal component overview](internal/overview.md) for the current
  package and component inventory;
- the [documentation policy](policy/documentation.md) before changing
  documentation;
- the [testing policy](policy/testing.md) before adding, rewriting, or deleting
  tests; and
- the [release procedure](release.md) for version and publication work.

## Task-Specific Reading Guide

| Task | Read before changing |
| --- | --- |
| Root public API | The [architecture policy](policy/architecture.md), [consumer guide](consumers/pkg-promptkit.md), [testing policy](policy/testing.md), and existing GoDoc. |
| Prompt, profile, or schema formats | The [framework format reference](formats.md), owning parser or validator package, and [documentation policy](policy/documentation.md). |
| Source loading or validation | The [framework format reference](formats.md), [internal source document](internal/sources.md), and owning package tests. |
| Model-client behavior | The [OpenAI-compatible integration contract](integrations/openai-compatible-chat.md), [internal model-client document](internal/llm.md), and owning package tests. |
| Internal package implementation | The [architecture policy](policy/architecture.md), [internal component overview](internal/overview.md), and focused internal document listed for that package. |
| Tests or test fixtures | The [testing policy](policy/testing.md), owning package, and focused internal document listed by the component overview. |
| Maintained example | The [example](../examples/go-library/prepare/main.go), [consumer guide](consumers/pkg-promptkit.md), [framework format reference](formats.md), and [documentation policy](policy/documentation.md). |
| Documentation | The [documentation policy](policy/documentation.md) and canonical owner of every affected contract. |
| Release preparation or publication | The [release procedure](release.md). |

For cross-cutting changes, follow every applicable row. Do not create
placeholder documents for packages, APIs, or integrations that do not yet
exist.