# ADR-024: Gamma First, Then Beta, Then Alpha

| Field     | Value                                    |
|-----------|------------------------------------------|
| Status    | Accepted                                 |
| Type      | 2 — Reversible                           |
| Score     | 0.80                                     |
| Date      | 2026-02-18                               |
| Decider   | Conductor                                |

## Context

Three experience skins are planned: Gamma (Observatory), Beta (Command
Engine), Alpha (Glass Cathedral). Building order matters — the first
skin validates the skin protocol.

## Decision

Build Gamma first as the reference implementation. It validates the
data contract (ADR-023), proves the API server works, and establishes
the skin architecture. Beta forces command infrastructure to be
first-class. Alpha is visual polish.

## Consequences

- **Gamma validates**: proves the skin architecture works end-to-end.
- **Balanced default**: sidebar + bento tiles serves 80% of use cases.
- **Beta forces CLI**: command engine skin validates CLI-first design.
- **Alpha is polish**: glass cathedral skin is visual refinement.
