protocol-writer

Protocol Writer

Triggers & routing

• Trigger: protocol, PRISMA, systematic review, inclusion/exclusion, search strategy, inclusion/exclusion.
• Use when: evidence-review The starting point of the pipeline (C1); the protocol must be locked first before starting screening/extraction.
• Skip if: not conducting an evidence/systematic review (or the protocol is already locked and cannot be modified).
• Network: none.
• Guardrail: the protocol must contain executable search and screening rules; HUMAN sign-off is required before entering screening.

Transforms the review question into an executable evidence-review protocol.

Inputs

Required:

• STATUS.md

Optional:

• GOAL.md
• DECISIONS.md
• queries.md

Output

• output/PROTOCOL.md

Contract

The protocol must contain:

• review questions
• source/search specification
• inclusion and exclusion clauses with stable IDs
• screening plan
• extraction schema
• bias plan
• explicit HUMAN approval note

Script boundary

scripts/run.py should:

• read current review context
• materialize an operational protocol
• write a stable extraction schema and clause IDs

It should not perform retrieval or screening itself.

Acceptance

• output/PROTOCOL.md exists
• includes extraction schema and protocol clause IDs
• is operational enough for downstream screening

Non-goals

• writing final synthesis prose
• screening candidate papers