git:20260503.7a137bf to git:20260606.f64a316

8 added, 1 removed. Audit A to A.

---

name: context-retrieval-loop

- description: Deterministic 3-cycle loop for gathering codebase context before refactoring or maintenance work. Broad search → exact source and tests → config and build setup.

+ description: Use when about to refactor, rename, or remove code, assessing dead code before deletion, or unsure of the blast radius of a change.

---

# Context Retrieval Loop (Codebase Maintenance)

Gather context before any refactor or maintenance task. Prevents breaking undetected callers or missing test coverage.

## When to Use

- About to refactor, rename, or remove code

- Assessing dead code before deletion

- Unsure of the blast radius of a change

## The 3-Cycle Loop

### Cycle 1 — Broad Search

```bash

# Find callers and references

rg "<symbol-name>" --type ts --type js -l

rg "<symbol-name>" --glob "*.py" -l

```

Stop here if you can confirm the symbol is unused (no results).

### Cycle 2 — Exact Source and Tests

Read the target file and its tests. Find all callers:

```bash

rg "import.*<module>" -l

rg "<function-name>" --glob "*.test.*" -l

```

Stop here if you understand the change scope and existing test coverage.

### Cycle 3 — Config and Build

```bash

# Check if symbol appears in build or config

rg "<symbol-name>" *.config.* tsconfig.json Makefile -l 2>/dev/null

```

Check for re-exports, barrel files, and public API surfaces.

## Output

```

Context gathered:

<file-path> — <reason>

Blast radius:

<N> callers in <N> files

Tests covering this code: <yes/no/partial>

Missing context (if any):

```

Do not start a refactor without knowing the blast radius. If callers are unclear after Cycle 3, stop and report.

+ ## Verification

+ - [ ] Cycles ran in order and stopped at the first satisfied condition — never past 3

+ - [ ] Blast radius is reported: caller count, files affected, test coverage status

+ - [ ] Re-exports, barrel files, and public API surfaces were checked before concluding

+ - [ ] No refactor started while callers remained unclear — stopped and reported instead