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Agent cycle discipline guardrails #30

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Agent cycle discipline guardrails#30
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lane:cool-ideasInteresting but not committed work.legend:coreCore Method runtime/domain behavior.legend:processMethod process, workflow, adapters, and CLI work.needs-designNeeds or is missing a Method design artifact.type:maintenanceMaintenance, cleanup, or operational workflow work.

Description

@flyingrobots
flyingrobots
opened on Jun 1, 2026

Migrated from Method backlog

This issue was created from a legacy filesystem backlog card. GitHub Issues are now the live work tracker; repository docs remain Method evidence.

Source backlog: docs/method/backlog/cool-ideas/CORE_agent-cycle-discipline-guardrails.md
Original lane: cool-ideas
Original legend: CORE

Original backlog card

Agent cycle discipline guardrails

Agents (including me) skip Method cycle steps when executing fast. This session I burned through 36 bad-code cards without writing a single design doc or retro — just deleting cards like a checklist. That's a process violation that loses institutional memory.

Possible guardrails:

  • method MCP tool that refuses to retire/move backlog cards unless a retro exists for the associated cycle
  • Pre-commit hook that warns when backlog cards are deleted without a corresponding retro file
  • Agent instructions (AGENTS.md) that make the cycle loop a hard requirement, not advisory
  • A method audit command that detects "orphaned retirements" — cards that were deleted without cycle closure

Activity

  1. flyingrobots
    added
    lane:cool-ideasInteresting but not committed work.
    legend:coreCore Method runtime/domain behavior.
    on Jun 1, 2026

  2. coderabbitai commented on Jun 1, 2026

    @coderabbitai
    coderabbitaibot
    on Jun 1, 2026 – with coderabbitai
    🔗 Related PRs

    #1 - [codex] refresh METHOD signposts and legend structure [merged]
    #5 - Shape release workflow and user migration docs [merged]
    #6 - Automated Witness Capture (Cycle 0020) [merged]
    #18 - Land 0030-0033 repo-truth and MCP debt fixes [merged]
    #20 - Add backlog notes for agent-first planning and review workflow [merged]

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  3. coderabbitai
    added
    legend:processMethod process, workflow, adapters, and CLI work.
    needs-designNeeds or is missing a Method design artifact.
    type:maintenanceMaintenance, cleanup, or operational workflow work.
    on Jun 1, 2026
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    lane:cool-ideasInteresting but not committed work.legend:coreCore Method runtime/domain behavior.legend:processMethod process, workflow, adapters, and CLI work.needs-designNeeds or is missing a Method design artifact.type:maintenanceMaintenance, cleanup, or operational workflow work.

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