Working Docs

Core principle

_working/<topic>/ is external task memory: preserve only the notes, evidence, and intermediate artefacts that later work will actually use.

A file earns its place only if deleting it would change a later action, decision, handoff, or audit. If the task could finish identically without the folder, skip it.

Working docs serve the requested task. They do not enlarge its scope, create extra review or testing obligations, or turn a quick task into a documented project.

Activation gate

Use working docs when the user explicitly asks for a working folder. Otherwise, use them when at least two of these hold:

• the task spans multiple phases, sources, files, or systems;
• findings may change the plan later;
• interruption, compaction, or handoff is likely;
• another agent or process needs named intermediate artefacts;
• conclusions must remain auditable after the session.