---
phase: 01.4-enrich-checkpoint-workflow
plan: 02
subsystem: workflow-system
tags: [revisit-workflow, protocol-routing, template-coherence, artifact-synergy, readme-documentation]

requires:
  - phase: "01.4-01"
    provides: "WORK.md template with Current Understanding and type-tagged session log"
  - phase: "Phase 1.3"
    provides: "Checkpoint workflow and workflow decomposition pattern"

provides:
  - "revisit.md workflow for post-whiteboard rethinking"
  - "PROTOCOL.md routing for all 6 workflows (including revisit)"
  - "Fresh agent resume protocol documentation in PROTOCOL.md"
  - "README.md artifact synergy overview explaining context engineering rationale"

affects:
  - "Future phase planning: PROTOCOL.md routing now documents revisit workflow"
  - "Developer/maintainer onboarding: README.md explains why artifacts ultra-trimmed"
  - "Fresh agent sessions: PROTOCOL.md Fresh Agent Resume Protocol section guides context reconstruction"

tech-stack:
  added: []
  patterns:
    - "Secondary routing pattern for user-initiated workflows (revisit, checkpoint)"
    - "Workflow routing documentation (primary state-based + secondary user-initiated)"
    - "Artifact synergy documentation pattern (README provides overview, artifacts provide execution)"

key-files:
  created:
    - src/gsd_lite/template/workflows/revisit.md
  modified:
    - src/gsd_lite/template/WORK.md
    - src/gsd_lite/template/PROTOCOL.md
    - README.md

decisions:
  - id: "DECISION-01.4-05"
    summary: "WORK.md examples prefixed with 'Example:' to prevent confusion with actual logs"
    rationale: "Human verification found examples could confuse agents into thinking they're actual session logs"
    alternatives: ["Remove examples entirely", "Use different syntax like {{placeholder}}"]
    date: "2026-01-25"

  - id: "DECISION-01.4-06"
    summary: "PROTOCOL.md routing split into Primary (state-based) and Secondary (user-initiated)"
    rationale: "Checkpoint and revisit workflows triggered by user signals, not STATE.md mode field"
    alternatives: ["Add new STATE.md modes for each workflow", "Keep single routing table with complex conditions"]
    date: "2026-01-25"

  - id: "DECISION-01.4-07"
    summary: "README.md explains context engineering rationale for ultra-trimmed artifacts"
    rationale: "Artifacts omit reasoning for token efficiency; README bridges gap for human understanding"
    alternatives: ["Add reasoning to artifacts (increases token usage)", "Keep artifacts and README both terse"]
    date: "2026-01-25"

patterns-established:
  - "Template clarification pattern: IMPORTANT comments + Example: prefixes distinguish templates from actual content"
  - "Routing documentation pattern: Primary (automatic) vs Secondary (user-initiated) workflow triggers"
  - "Artifact documentation pattern: Ultra-trimmed artifacts for agents, comprehensive README for humans"

metrics:
  duration: "3min 5sec"
  completed: "2026-01-25"
---

# Phase 1.4 Plan 02: Revisit Workflow and Template Coherence Fixes Summary

**One-liner:** Revisit workflow enables post-whiteboard rethinking; PROTOCOL.md routes all 6 workflows coherently; README.md explains artifact synergy and context engineering rationale

## What Was Built

### 1. Revisit Workflow (Task 1 - Completed in Prior Session)

**Created revisit.md workflow for non-linear thinking:**
- Entry conditions: User says "revisit" or "let me rethink this", MODE = whiteboard-complete
- Five-step protocol: Review current plan → Capture new ideas → Identify changes → Revise plan → Return to whiteboard-complete
- Revisit vs Moodboard comparison table preventing loop-back to discovery layer
- Sticky note protocol with revisit-specific contextual actions
- Common pitfalls documented (staying in planning layer, not looping to moodboard)
- 483 lines, comprehensive coverage of post-whiteboard rethinking scenarios

**Commit:** 5a346c4 (feat(01.4-02): create revisit.md workflow)

### 2. Human Verification Fixes (This Session)

**Fix 1: Clarify WORK.md examples are templates (cab2d0c):**
- Added "Example:" prefix to all Current Understanding section entries
- Added "Example:" prefix to all Session Log chronological entries
- Added IMPORTANT comment before each section: "Below are EXAMPLE entries showing format - replace with your actual session content"
- Prevents confusion where agents might interpret examples as actual session logs

**Fix 2-4: Update PROTOCOL.md with complete workflow routing (ff4567a):**
- Split routing into Primary (state-based) and Secondary (user-initiated) tables
- Documented revisit workflow routing: User says "revisit" → load revisit.md → reconsider plan → return to whiteboard-complete
- Enhanced checkpoint workflow routing with clear trigger conditions
- Added Fresh Agent Resume Protocol section (5 steps: read PROTOCOL → read STATE → read WORK.md Current Understanding → load workflow → continue)
- Verified all 6 workflows documented: moodboard, whiteboard, execution, checkpoint (primary + secondary), promotion, revisit (secondary - NEW)
- Regression check passed: No workflows missing from routing

**Fix 5: Enhance README.md with artifact synergy overview (5d54935):**
- Expanded Core Artifacts table with "Why Ultra-Trimmed" column explaining context engineering
- Documented all 6 workflow files with "When Used" and "Agent Actions" columns
- Added "How Artifacts Work Together" section:
  - Agent entry flow (PROTOCOL → STATE → workflow → artifacts)
  - Session continuity explanation (checkpoint → clear → resume cycle)
  - WORK.md's dual role (Current Understanding for fast resume, Session Log for complete debugging)
  - Context engineering rationale (optimize for weak models, reduce tokens, improve maintainability)
- Updated mermaid diagram to include revisit.md workflow
- Added revisit mode to Usage section workflow list

## Technical Implementation

**revisit.md structure:**
```
1. Header with system marker [SYSTEM: REVISIT MODE]
2. Entry/exit conditions
3. Coaching Philosophy section with governance framework table
4. What is Revisit Mode? section
5. Revisit Protocol (5 steps with examples)
6. Revisit vs Moodboard comparison table
7. Sticky Note Protocol
8. Common Revisit Scenarios (4 scenarios)
9. Common Pitfalls to Avoid (6 pitfalls)
```

**PROTOCOL.md enhancements:**
```
1. Primary Routing table (5 workflows: moodboard, whiteboard, execution, checkpoint, promotion)
2. Secondary Routing table (2 user-initiated: revisit, checkpoint)
3. Fresh Agent Resume Protocol section (5-step process for reconstructing context from artifacts)
4. File Guide (unchanged)
```

**README.md structure:**
```
1. Core Artifacts table with context engineering rationale
2. Workflow Files table with "When Used" and "Agent Actions"
3. How Artifacts Work Together section (new):
   - Agent entry flow
   - Session continuity (checkpoint → clear → resume)
   - WORK.md dual role
   - Context engineering rationale
4. Updated mermaid diagram with revisit workflow
5. Usage section updated with revisit mode
```

## Performance

- **Duration:** 3 min 5 sec
- **Started:** 2026-01-25T14:51:27Z
- **Completed:** 2026-01-25T14:54:32Z
- **Tasks:** 2 (Task 1 completed in prior session, Task 2 verification fixes applied this session)
- **Files modified:** 4
- **Commits:** 4 (1 from Task 1 prior session + 3 verification fix commits this session)

## Task Commits

1. **Task 1: Create revisit.md workflow** - `5a346c4` (feat) - Completed in prior session
2. **Task 2: Human verification checkpoint** - Applied 5 fixes after feedback:
   - Fix 1: `cab2d0c` (fix) - Clarify WORK.md examples as templates
   - Fix 2-4: `ff4567a` (fix) - Update PROTOCOL.md with complete workflow routing
   - Fix 5: `5d54935` (docs) - Enhance README with artifact synergy overview

## Files Created/Modified

- `src/gsd_lite/template/workflows/revisit.md` (created) - Post-whiteboard rethinking workflow with 5-step protocol and anti-patterns
- `src/gsd_lite/template/WORK.md` (modified) - Examples clearly marked as templates with "Example:" prefix and IMPORTANT comments
- `src/gsd_lite/template/PROTOCOL.md` (modified) - Complete routing for 6 workflows + Fresh Agent Resume Protocol section
- `README.md` (modified) - Artifact synergy overview with context engineering rationale and "How Artifacts Work Together" section

## Decisions Made

### DECISION-01.4-05: WORK.md Example Clarification

**Context:** Human verification found examples in WORK.md might confuse agents into thinking they're actual session logs for the current session.

**Decision:** Prefix all example entries with "Example:" and add IMPORTANT comment before each section.

**Rationale:** Clear distinction between template examples (showing format) and actual content (what agent should write). Prevents agents from copying examples verbatim or getting confused about session state.

**Alternatives considered:**
1. Remove examples entirely (clearer but agents lose format guidance)
2. Use different syntax like {{placeholder}} (more obvious but less readable)

**Impact:** Templates now unambiguously separate example format from actual content. Both Current Understanding and Session Log sections have clarifying comments.

### DECISION-01.4-06: Primary vs Secondary Routing Split

**Context:** PROTOCOL.md routing table mixed state-based workflows (determined by STATE.md mode) with user-initiated workflows (triggered by explicit user signals).

**Decision:** Split into two tables: Primary Routing (state-based) and Secondary Routing (user-initiated).

**Rationale:** Checkpoint and revisit workflows are triggered by user saying "checkpoint" or "revisit", not by reading STATE.md mode field. Separate tables clarify different trigger mechanisms.

**Alternatives considered:**
1. Add new STATE.md modes for each workflow (conflates state with user signals)
2. Keep single routing table with complex conditions (harder to read, conflates concerns)

**Impact:** PROTOCOL.md now clearly documents two routing patterns. Agents understand when to check STATE.md (primary routing) vs when to listen for user signals (secondary routing).

### DECISION-01.4-07: README Context Engineering Rationale

**Context:** Human verification noted artifacts are ultra-trimmed without explaining why, making system harder for developers/maintainers to understand.

**Decision:** README.md explains context engineering rationale: why artifacts ultra-trimmed (weak model optimization, token reduction, maintainability), trade-offs (artifacts terse, README bridges gap).

**Rationale:** Artifacts optimized for agents (fast to read, clear instructions). README optimized for humans (explains "why", shows system coherence). This division serves both audiences.

**Alternatives considered:**
1. Add reasoning to artifacts (increases token usage, slows agent reading)
2. Keep artifacts and README both terse (serves agents but confuses humans)

**Impact:** Maintainers/developers now understand artifact design philosophy. README provides executive overview that artifacts deliberately omit for context efficiency.

## Deviations from Plan

### Auto-fixed Issues

**1. [Rule 1 - Bug] Fixed missing routing documentation for revisit workflow**
- **Found during:** Task 2 verification, Fix 3 (regression check)
- **Issue:** revisit.md workflow file existed but was not documented in PROTOCOL.md routing table
- **Fix:** Added Secondary Routing section to PROTOCOL.md documenting user-initiated workflows (revisit, checkpoint)
- **Files modified:** src/gsd_lite/template/PROTOCOL.md
- **Verification:** All 6 workflow files now documented in PROTOCOL.md routing
- **Committed in:** ff4567a (Fix 2-4 commit)

---

**Total deviations:** 1 auto-fixed (Rule 1 - bug: incomplete routing documentation)
**Impact on plan:** Fix was necessary for protocol coherence. Plan anticipated regression check (Fix 4) which caught this issue.

## Human Verification Feedback Integration

**Verification found 5 issues requiring fixes:**

1. **WORK.md examples confusable with actual logs** → Fixed with "Example:" prefixes and IMPORTANT comments
2. **PROTOCOL.md missing checkpoint workflow routing** → Fixed with Secondary Routing section
3. **PROTOCOL.md missing revisit workflow routing** → Fixed with Secondary Routing section
4. **Regression: Need to verify all workflows in PROTOCOL.md** → Fixed by documenting all 6 workflows
5. **Need README.md explaining artifact synergy** → Fixed with comprehensive "How Artifacts Work Together" section

**All 5 fixes applied and committed atomically.**

**Verification outcome:** All issues resolved. Templates now:
- Clearly distinguish examples from actual content (WORK.md)
- Route agents to all workflows coherently (PROTOCOL.md)
- Explain artifact synergy for human understanding (README.md)

## Key Learnings

### 1. Template Examples Need Explicit Markers

WORK.md examples without "Example:" prefix could be misinterpreted as actual session logs. Even with good comments, agents might copy examples verbatim. Explicit "Example:" prefix removes ambiguity.

### 2. Routing Documentation Must Be Complete

Missing revisit workflow from PROTOCOL.md routing (regression) caught by verification Fix 4. This validates the need for regression checks when adding new workflows - easy to update workflow file but forget to update PROTOCOL.md router.

### 3. Artifacts vs README Serve Different Audiences

Artifacts ultra-trimmed for agent consumption (fast reading, clear actions). README provides reasoning and overview for human maintainers. This division is intentional - verification highlighted the need to document this division explicitly.

### 4. Primary vs Secondary Routing Clarifies Trigger Mechanisms

State-based workflows (moodboard, whiteboard, execution) differ from user-initiated workflows (revisit, checkpoint). Separating these in PROTOCOL.md documentation clarifies when agent should check STATE.md vs listen for user signals.

## Risks & Mitigations

**Risk:** Agents might still confuse WORK.md examples with actual logs despite "Example:" prefix.
**Mitigation:** Added IMPORTANT comment before each section reinforcing that examples are templates. If issue persists, consider removing examples and relying on inline comments alone.

**Risk:** Fresh agents might miss Fresh Agent Resume Protocol section in PROTOCOL.md.
**Mitigation:** Section positioned after Workflow Router (which agents read first). Section title clearly signals "resume protocol" for fresh agents.

**Risk:** README.md "How Artifacts Work Together" section might get out of sync with actual artifact behavior.
**Mitigation:** README now anchored to specific artifact sections (WORK.md Current Understanding, PROTOCOL.md routing). Changes to artifacts should trigger README review.

## Next Phase Readiness

**Phase 1.5 (if exists) or next phase can proceed immediately:**
- revisit.md workflow ready for user-initiated post-whiteboard rethinking
- PROTOCOL.md routing complete and coherent for all 6 workflows
- README.md provides onboarding material for new maintainers/developers
- All template coherence issues from verification resolved

**Success criteria for future phases:**
- Fresh agents follow PROTOCOL.md routing to correct workflow
- Users can revisit plans after whiteboard without restarting discovery
- Developers/maintainers understand artifact ultra-trimming rationale

**No blockers or concerns.**

## Verification

All success criteria met:

- [x] WORK.md examples clearly templated (not confusable with actual logs)
- [x] PROTOCOL.md includes checkpoint workflow routing (Secondary Routing section)
- [x] PROTOCOL.md includes revisit workflow routing (Secondary Routing section)
- [x] All workflows in src/gsd_lite/template/workflows/ mentioned in PROTOCOL.md (6/6 workflows documented)
- [x] README.md provides artifact overview and synergy explanation ("How Artifacts Work Together" section)
- [x] SUMMARY.md created for plan 01.4-02 (this file)
- [x] STATE.md update pending (next step after SUMMARY creation)

## Commits

| Task | Commit | Message |
|------|--------|---------|
| 1 (prior session) | 5a346c4 | feat(01.4-02): create revisit.md workflow for post-whiteboard rethinking |
| 2 - Fix 1 | cab2d0c | fix(01.4-02): clarify WORK.md examples as templates |
| 2 - Fix 2-4 | ff4567a | fix(01.4-02): update PROTOCOL.md with complete workflow routing |
| 2 - Fix 5 | 5d54935 | docs(01.4-02): enhance README with artifact synergy overview |

**Duration:** 3 min 5 sec (this session only - Task 1 completed in prior session)
**Tasks completed:** 2/2 (Task 1 = 1 commit prior session, Task 2 = 3 fix commits this session)

---

*Phase: 01.4-enrich-checkpoint-workflow*
*Plan: 02 of 02*
*Completed: 2026-01-25*
