Adapt engagement guidance to scope, uncertainty and risk

.claude-plugin/plugin.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "fdeops",
   "description": "Skills for forward deployed engineers across strategy, architecture and engineering. Use individual tasks or @fde coordination; local customer memory supports continuity.",
-  "version": "5.1.22",
+  "version": "5.1.23",
   "category": "productivity",
   "tags": [
     "community-managed"

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,10 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 5.1.23 - 2026-10-05
+
+- Adapt engagement guidance to uncertainty, dependencies, risk and customer constraints rather than duration or a mandatory phase sequence.
+- Let bounded tasks proceed directly to implementation or a brief single-slice plan; reserve fuller planning and coordination for work that needs them. Preserve acceptance, data and release authority checks.
+
 ## 5.1.22 - 2026-10-01
 
 - Keep approvals limited to API compatibility, budget or release scope from becoming general engagement signer proposals; preserve the original notes and sources for review.

README.md

@@ -53,6 +53,8 @@ Here are the agreed behavior, repository and checks: ...
 
 Each task skill includes the instructions it needs. Use `build` with supplied project context without creating a customer record or installing the coordinator.
 
+Use only the methods the work needs, whether the engagement lasts three days, three weeks or several months. A clear, bounded task can go straight to implementation. Uncertain requirements, dependent teams or production risk may need more discovery and coordination. Reuse the customer’s existing tools and approvals; the skill catalog is not a sequence to complete.
+
 <details>
 <summary>Installation requirements and alternatives</summary>
 

mcp/fdeops-ingest/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "fdeops-ingest-mcp",
-  "version": "5.1.22",
+  "version": "5.1.23",
   "private": true,
   "description": "Thin stdio MCP sink for FDEOps ingest (stage \u2192 propose \u2192 apply). Zero runtime dependencies.",
   "bin": {

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "fdeops",
-  "version": "5.1.22",
+  "version": "5.1.23",
   "description": "Skills for forward deployed engineers across strategy, architecture and engineering. Use individual tasks or @fde coordination; local customer memory supports continuity.",
   "bin": {
     "fdeops": "bin/install.js",

plugin.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "$schema": "https://agent-plugins.org/schemas/1.0.0/plugin.schema.json",
   "name": "fdeops",
-  "version": "5.1.22",
+  "version": "5.1.23",
   "description": "Skills for forward deployed engineers across strategy, architecture and engineering. Use individual tasks or @fde coordination; local customer memory supports continuity.",
   "author": {
     "name": "Subash Natarajan",

skills/audit/.fde-generated.json

@@ -6,6 +6,6 @@
     "agents/openai.yaml": "3b08e2e6a4149545da08238463955501bc60b7bf628cf4e344e893330590bbde",
     "references/audit.md": "ed32ea78cbccb100742dd838e8cf4cd4b6f33ad44b3de7424fc624670d571dbc",
     "references/discover.md": "f65aa11a539b4dbbed70cfaa94ec2a35595aa9a2d0282790510b933ac9c721ce",
-    "references/task-context.md": "9f995c1fe4d8a27d313b4c008a943fbcdd150029358c70b450dbbfb303a2666e"
+    "references/task-context.md": "3d59235f6b7092c41116457cc54e3e2e67fc0fba7b46b60279bd304be18b10cd"
   }
 }

skills/audit/references/task-context.md

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 Use this contract for standalone methods and methods routed through `@fde`.
 
 - **Standalone work:** use the supplied, permitted facts, notes, code, and artifacts. A client name, `.fde/` directory, or initialized engagement is not a prerequisite for work on supplied context. Tasks that inspect actual records need those records; staging or saving requires a selected customer. Never fabricate records to make an operational task appear complete. Do not bootstrap records merely to run a method. Ask only for missing information or authority that changes the next action; mark other gaps as unknown.
+- **Fit the method to the engagement:** choose the smallest useful next action from the outcome, uncertainty, dependencies, consequence of failure, available access and time. Duration alone does not choose the process: a three-day production change may need more controls than a three-week prototype. Reuse the customer's tools, review cadence and approved evidence; load specialist methods only for a relevant decision or failure. For a simulation, use the supplied actors and constraints without inventing meetings or authority. Expand coordination when dependencies or risk require it, and simplify again when they are resolved. A deadline can reduce scope or change the proposed delivery stage; it cannot silently waive acceptance, data policy or release authority. Judge progress by the requested result and evidence, whether that is a working increment, a resolved decision or a validated finding; record volume is not progress.
 - **Artifact names are destinations:** names such as `success.md`, `decisions.md`, and `delivery.md` identify relevant evidence and, when bound, record destinations. If absent, use supplied facts and return the requested draft or result in the current workspace or conversation. Do not invent files or require initialization to complete useful work.
 - **Bound engagement:** honor the current client binding and constraints. Before reading records, run `fde privacy` to verify masking support. Obtain a fresh, identity-matching sanitized `fde resume` packet for this task (or reuse a fresh session-hook packet); retrieve missing evidence with targeted `fde recall <topic>`. Use bounded `fde handoff` for transfer work. Refresh after binding, masking, or record changes. Never substitute raw `.fde/` reads, private blocks, masking dictionaries, or full transcripts. If the CLI is unavailable, use only permitted supplied excerpts and report the context limitation.
 - **Authority:** continue reversible work within authorized scope. Reuse prior authorization when it covers the specific action. Show consequential engagement-record judgments and uncertainties for confirmation before saving unless already explicitly confirmed. New scope, acceptance changes, production actions, exports, and external messages need the applicable authority; a method invocation alone does not supply it. Keep one customer's writes in that customer's record.

skills/board-memo/.fde-generated.json

@@ -6,6 +6,6 @@
     "agents/openai.yaml": "a3ce2dc79d3732da6c9aa2d45d09541c09c8f7bdf44f34c6603b5dbaf8624095",
     "references/board-memo.md": "44eb3c27f164da63af694591025b3fc96bb23d149c29de400997c1653e3322f8",
     "references/business-case.md": "32e000e8351cd59f9eaad8be40babb276df69948ea4f81e01a4672e47f48cb25",
-    "references/task-context.md": "9f995c1fe4d8a27d313b4c008a943fbcdd150029358c70b450dbbfb303a2666e"
+    "references/task-context.md": "3d59235f6b7092c41116457cc54e3e2e67fc0fba7b46b60279bd304be18b10cd"
   }
 }

skills/board-memo/references/task-context.md

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 Use this contract for standalone methods and methods routed through `@fde`.
 
 - **Standalone work:** use the supplied, permitted facts, notes, code, and artifacts. A client name, `.fde/` directory, or initialized engagement is not a prerequisite for work on supplied context. Tasks that inspect actual records need those records; staging or saving requires a selected customer. Never fabricate records to make an operational task appear complete. Do not bootstrap records merely to run a method. Ask only for missing information or authority that changes the next action; mark other gaps as unknown.
+- **Fit the method to the engagement:** choose the smallest useful next action from the outcome, uncertainty, dependencies, consequence of failure, available access and time. Duration alone does not choose the process: a three-day production change may need more controls than a three-week prototype. Reuse the customer's tools, review cadence and approved evidence; load specialist methods only for a relevant decision or failure. For a simulation, use the supplied actors and constraints without inventing meetings or authority. Expand coordination when dependencies or risk require it, and simplify again when they are resolved. A deadline can reduce scope or change the proposed delivery stage; it cannot silently waive acceptance, data policy or release authority. Judge progress by the requested result and evidence, whether that is a working increment, a resolved decision or a validated finding; record volume is not progress.
 - **Artifact names are destinations:** names such as `success.md`, `decisions.md`, and `delivery.md` identify relevant evidence and, when bound, record destinations. If absent, use supplied facts and return the requested draft or result in the current workspace or conversation. Do not invent files or require initialization to complete useful work.
 - **Bound engagement:** honor the current client binding and constraints. Before reading records, run `fde privacy` to verify masking support. Obtain a fresh, identity-matching sanitized `fde resume` packet for this task (or reuse a fresh session-hook packet); retrieve missing evidence with targeted `fde recall <topic>`. Use bounded `fde handoff` for transfer work. Refresh after binding, masking, or record changes. Never substitute raw `.fde/` reads, private blocks, masking dictionaries, or full transcripts. If the CLI is unavailable, use only permitted supplied excerpts and report the context limitation.
 - **Authority:** continue reversible work within authorized scope. Reuse prior authorization when it covers the specific action. Show consequential engagement-record judgments and uncertainties for confirmation before saving unless already explicitly confirmed. New scope, acceptance changes, production actions, exports, and external messages need the applicable authority; a method invocation alone does not supply it. Keep one customer's writes in that customer's record.

skills/brief/.fde-generated.json

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
   "files": {
     "SKILL.md": "5d88b9818951f8a8a44c39ad2b36ccdca74fef5e6ed31e67788b50d3ca1bb006",
     "agents/openai.yaml": "8dc0b43545004419bad49e1d50cd3beb968bbcc24baacdaf7fb7304a5fd03bba",
-    "references/land.md": "87dfffc8e39d35eaf23d510ba7e9913d48e90d2705eb9155ab192d12ea98d18d",
-    "references/task-context.md": "9f995c1fe4d8a27d313b4c008a943fbcdd150029358c70b450dbbfb303a2666e"
+    "references/land.md": "f33f1b9e03a3c23c39ffce925a8f8b956b48a53982f55246752a48a317cb084d",
+    "references/task-context.md": "3d59235f6b7092c41116457cc54e3e2e67fc0fba7b46b60279bd304be18b10cd"
   }
 }

skills/brief/references/land.md

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@
 
 **Read first:** apply [task context](task-context.md), then permitted `context.md` evidence if it exists and the supplied brief. Once the engagement type and AI/access policy are known, inspect the supplied repo/docs relevant to the ask before asking questions they can answer. This is a bounded evidence check, not a full discovery scan.
 
+**Bounded engagement:** A new customer does not automatically require a full landing exercise. For a single-outcome task or simulation of any duration, use the supplied brief to establish the outcome, deadline, permitted inputs, acceptance and next authorized action. If those are clear, route to the working task immediately. If one material gap remains, investigate that gap; do not build a stakeholder map or populate engagement files for their own sake. A simulated stakeholder does not justify invented meetings or approval chains. Keep actual data and release authority checks where they affect the work.
+
 ## Validation gate (confirm understanding, clarify where it elevates)
 
 Before landing, state what you know in 2-3 lines:
@@ -12,7 +14,7 @@ Before landing, state what you know in 2-3 lines:
 
 Then check - probe ONLY if it prevents a bad start:
 
-1. **Engagement speed.** If timeline is unclear → weave it in naturally: "Is this days, weeks, or months? That shapes how much structure we set up now."
+1. **Deadline and scope.** Ask about timing only when it changes the next action: "What result is needed by when?" Use uncertainty, dependencies, risk and access to choose the necessary structure; duration alone does not decide it.
 2. **Existing context.** If `.fde/` already exists → one line: "There's existing engagement memory here. Continuing this or starting fresh?"
 3. **Access.** If the FDE is about to start work → one line: "Got repo and environment access sorted, or is that still pending?"
 

skills/brief/references/task-context.md

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 Use this contract for standalone methods and methods routed through `@fde`.
 
 - **Standalone work:** use the supplied, permitted facts, notes, code, and artifacts. A client name, `.fde/` directory, or initialized engagement is not a prerequisite for work on supplied context. Tasks that inspect actual records need those records; staging or saving requires a selected customer. Never fabricate records to make an operational task appear complete. Do not bootstrap records merely to run a method. Ask only for missing information or authority that changes the next action; mark other gaps as unknown.
+- **Fit the method to the engagement:** choose the smallest useful next action from the outcome, uncertainty, dependencies, consequence of failure, available access and time. Duration alone does not choose the process: a three-day production change may need more controls than a three-week prototype. Reuse the customer's tools, review cadence and approved evidence; load specialist methods only for a relevant decision or failure. For a simulation, use the supplied actors and constraints without inventing meetings or authority. Expand coordination when dependencies or risk require it, and simplify again when they are resolved. A deadline can reduce scope or change the proposed delivery stage; it cannot silently waive acceptance, data policy or release authority. Judge progress by the requested result and evidence, whether that is a working increment, a resolved decision or a validated finding; record volume is not progress.
 - **Artifact names are destinations:** names such as `success.md`, `decisions.md`, and `delivery.md` identify relevant evidence and, when bound, record destinations. If absent, use supplied facts and return the requested draft or result in the current workspace or conversation. Do not invent files or require initialization to complete useful work.
 - **Bound engagement:** honor the current client binding and constraints. Before reading records, run `fde privacy` to verify masking support. Obtain a fresh, identity-matching sanitized `fde resume` packet for this task (or reuse a fresh session-hook packet); retrieve missing evidence with targeted `fde recall <topic>`. Use bounded `fde handoff` for transfer work. Refresh after binding, masking, or record changes. Never substitute raw `.fde/` reads, private blocks, masking dictionaries, or full transcripts. If the CLI is unavailable, use only permitted supplied excerpts and report the context limitation.
 - **Authority:** continue reversible work within authorized scope. Reuse prior authorization when it covers the specific action. Show consequential engagement-record judgments and uncertainties for confirmation before saving unless already explicitly confirmed. New scope, acceptance changes, production actions, exports, and external messages need the applicable authority; a method invocation alone does not supply it. Keep one customer's writes in that customer's record.

skills/build/.fde-generated.json

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
     "references/qa.md": "41de4d70827c83291efa217e97d777f62ec2849827687fbba7e4b1d17484b87e",
     "references/review.md": "8fa35eacdc04d5e818e046e6da8f61f126e08d9c6a1073b2eaa19f72d4bfea3a",
     "references/ship.md": "95f51772b29de6f7d174f1f7678f15d46a3a5327dcb8facb94288e27907ae92c",
-    "references/task-context.md": "9f995c1fe4d8a27d313b4c008a943fbcdd150029358c70b450dbbfb303a2666e",
+    "references/task-context.md": "3d59235f6b7092c41116457cc54e3e2e67fc0fba7b46b60279bd304be18b10cd",
     "references/verification.md": "8ee2502112a37eedfdacf929041e7b91e9e6fabb007408a1ee2e2992e3af6ff6"
   }
 }

skills/build/references/task-context.md

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 Use this contract for standalone methods and methods routed through `@fde`.
 
 - **Standalone work:** use the supplied, permitted facts, notes, code, and artifacts. A client name, `.fde/` directory, or initialized engagement is not a prerequisite for work on supplied context. Tasks that inspect actual records need those records; staging or saving requires a selected customer. Never fabricate records to make an operational task appear complete. Do not bootstrap records merely to run a method. Ask only for missing information or authority that changes the next action; mark other gaps as unknown.
+- **Fit the method to the engagement:** choose the smallest useful next action from the outcome, uncertainty, dependencies, consequence of failure, available access and time. Duration alone does not choose the process: a three-day production change may need more controls than a three-week prototype. Reuse the customer's tools, review cadence and approved evidence; load specialist methods only for a relevant decision or failure. For a simulation, use the supplied actors and constraints without inventing meetings or authority. Expand coordination when dependencies or risk require it, and simplify again when they are resolved. A deadline can reduce scope or change the proposed delivery stage; it cannot silently waive acceptance, data policy or release authority. Judge progress by the requested result and evidence, whether that is a working increment, a resolved decision or a validated finding; record volume is not progress.
 - **Artifact names are destinations:** names such as `success.md`, `decisions.md`, and `delivery.md` identify relevant evidence and, when bound, record destinations. If absent, use supplied facts and return the requested draft or result in the current workspace or conversation. Do not invent files or require initialization to complete useful work.
 - **Bound engagement:** honor the current client binding and constraints. Before reading records, run `fde privacy` to verify masking support. Obtain a fresh, identity-matching sanitized `fde resume` packet for this task (or reuse a fresh session-hook packet); retrieve missing evidence with targeted `fde recall <topic>`. Use bounded `fde handoff` for transfer work. Refresh after binding, masking, or record changes. Never substitute raw `.fde/` reads, private blocks, masking dictionaries, or full transcripts. If the CLI is unavailable, use only permitted supplied excerpts and report the context limitation.
 - **Authority:** continue reversible work within authorized scope. Reuse prior authorization when it covers the specific action. Show consequential engagement-record judgments and uncertainties for confirmation before saving unless already explicitly confirmed. New scope, acceptance changes, production actions, exports, and external messages need the applicable authority; a method invocation alone does not supply it. Keep one customer's writes in that customer's record.

skills/business-case/.fde-generated.json

@@ -5,6 +5,6 @@
     "SKILL.md": "1105f7e78b5e73e54aafb8150e03be8c3ccd3443bc3ae667555763a839c1abe4",
     "agents/openai.yaml": "dd2676346caea1b53ae2bee6662aea064eea74c8ca6edf721382526f5fc42ef5",
     "references/business-case.md": "32e000e8351cd59f9eaad8be40babb276df69948ea4f81e01a4672e47f48cb25",
-    "references/task-context.md": "9f995c1fe4d8a27d313b4c008a943fbcdd150029358c70b450dbbfb303a2666e"
+    "references/task-context.md": "3d59235f6b7092c41116457cc54e3e2e67fc0fba7b46b60279bd304be18b10cd"
   }
 }