Operating Invariants
- Thin Tracer Only: Transmit only minimal dummy payloads (ping-pong tracer); forbid implementing complex business logic inside the skeleton.
- All-Seam Traversal: The skeleton must traverse the complete end-to-end pipeline:
Input Port -> Adapter -> Serialization -> Transport / Bus -> Target Module -> Persistence Stub. - Sandbox & Environment Boundary: Confine all exploratory scaffolding code strictly to
.agents/scratch/or dedicated git worktrees (.agents/worktree/); ground runners and services in.agents/environment.md. Never contaminate main branch history. - Adaptive Invocation Output: Render the full proof report for humans; emit an integration status micro-token for autonomous runners.
Domain Rubric
1. Plumbing Verification
Verify that architectural plumbing functions under real runtime conditions: dependency injection wiring, schema and serialization compatibility between bounded contexts, port bindings, and inter-module communication protocols (HTTP, gRPC, event bus).
2. State
CONFIRMED: End-to-end trace executes successfully with passing integration assertions.INFERRED: Trace succeeds partially but relies on mocked transport or unverified runtime assumptions.REJECTED: Incompatible protocols, serialization failure, or runtime blockers rule out the candidate architecture.UNRESOLVED: Environment limitations or missing permissions prevent end-to-end execution.
Canonical Output Contract
# Walking Skeleton Proof Report: <Architecture Slug> · <CONFIRMED | INFERRED | REJECTED | UNRESOLVED>
Conclusion: <Observable outcome proving whether multi-module plumbing holds or fails>
Exercised Trace: `<Module A> -> <Transport / Seam> -> <Module B> -> <Sink>`
Governing Contracts: <Pointers to frozen interface contracts validated>
## Execution Evidence
- Harness Directory: <Repo-relative path in scratch or worktree>
- Verification Command: `<command executed>`
- Telemetry & Output:
```text
<Sanitized execution trace showing end-to-end traversal>
(omit if all pass) ## Boundary Findings
- Inter-Module Tension:
Conditions: <Environment constraints, runtime requirements, and verification limits>
*Autonomous Micro-Token Contract*:
```text
CONFIRMED | trace: <seam-path> | runtime: passed | fixtures: verified
Routing
- Walking skeleton CONFIRMED, proceed to slice implementation tasks → (via /split-tasks).
- Architectural plumbing REJECTED or unworkable → (via /architect-decision).
- Contract mismatch detected during traversal → (via /contract-freeze).
- Unready host runtime or failing service dependencies prevent traversal → (via /env-doctor).
Execution Protocol
- Scaffold a minimal walking skeleton inside
.agents/scratch/or a worktree across target frozen contracts. - Wire transport, serialization, and persistence stubs with dummy ping payloads.
- Execute integration run command, verify complete traversal, and report findings using Canonical Proof Report or autonomous micro-token.