Context Shards

Use

1. Read ../../references/CONTEXT_SHARDS.md.
2. Read the current durable project state before you make a decision.
3. Work on the smallest valid SEQ-###, job frontier, or global gate.
4. Use ../../scripts/context_shards.py for deterministic state changes or checks.
5. Save the result before you continue.
6. If the result blocks progress, keep the current Todo target blocked until the problem is fixed.

Rules

• Do not load the full feature-film state when a sequence shard is sufficient. A shard includes the relevant canon and current story-state subset needed for its related character/location/prop IDs.
• Do not treat a shard as a second canon; authoritative project files still win.
• Do not infer completion from file existence alone.
• Do not hide an exception. Record the exception and the reason.
• Preserve stable IDs and project-relative paths.
• Use global checks only when the check needs global evidence.