.github/CHIEF_ARCHITECT_PHASE1B.md

Chief Architect - Phase 1.B Kickoff Brief

From: Release Manager (Claude Code Agent) To: Chief Architect Agent Phase: 1.B (Dashboard Shell Professionalization) Timeline: Dec 1-31, 2025 Status: ⏳ READY TO START

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🎯 Your Phase 1.B Mission

Approve and guide the implementation of a professional Dashboard Shell that:

1. ✅ Supports multi-monitor setups with persistent docking
2. ✅ Enables real-time collaboration between users
3. ✅ Provides advanced UX with drag/drop, keyboard nav, templates
4. ✅ Meets WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility standards
5. ✅ Maintains <100ms UI response time
6. ✅ Integrates Registry 2.0 (Phase 1.A ✅ complete)

Success Criteria:

• Dashboard shell design approved by Dec 10
• Implementation complete by Dec 15
• All WCAG 2.1 AA requirements verified
• Performance baseline established
• Ready for Phase 1.C integration

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📋 Architecture Decision Points

Multi-Monitor Architecture

Challenge: How do we persist widget state across multiple displays?

Your Decision: Choose one approach:

1. Monolithic Canvas: Single React component managing all monitors

   • Pros: Unified state, simpler code
   • Cons: Harder to scale, performance risk on many monitors

2. Portal-Based: React Portal per monitor

   • Pros: Isolated rendering, easier to scale
   • Cons: State sync complexity

3. Service Worker Approach: Headless service layer

   • Pros: Optimal performance, clean separation
   • Cons: Added complexity

Recommendation: Option 2 (Portal-Based)

• Aligns with React best practices
• Proven pattern for multi-window apps
• Manageable complexity
• Scalable to 4+ monitors

Gate: Document this in ADR-0002 before implementation starts

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Collaboration Protocol

Challenge: How do we track real-time user presence and updates?

Options:

1. WebSocket Pub/Sub: Real-time updates via server

   • Needs: Message queue (Redis/RabbitMQ)
   • Cost: Server infrastructure

2. CRDT-Based: Conflict-free replicated data types

   • Library: Yjs, Automerge
   • Pros: Works offline
   • Cons: Complex to learn

3. Event Sourcing: Record all changes as immutable events

   • Pros: Full audit trail
   • Cons: Query complexity

Recommendation: Option 1 (WebSocket Pub/Sub) for Phase 1

• Simpler to implement
• Proven pattern
• Can migrate to CRDT in Phase 2+ if needed

Gate: Approve WebSocket spec with backend architect

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State Management

Challenge: Current context-based approach may not scale for multi-monitor

Options:

1. Redux: Centralized store

   • Pros: Predictable, DevTools
   • Cons: Boilerplate

2. Zustand: Lightweight alternative

   • Pros: Minimal boilerplate, good for UI state
   • Cons: Less mature than Redux

3. Jotai: Atomic state management

   • Pros: React Suspense support
   • Cons: Less ecosystem

Recommendation: Keep current context API for Phase 1

• Already integrated (Phase 1.A)
• Sufficient for current scope
• Can refactor to Redux/Zustand in Phase 2

Gate: Verify context API scales to multi-monitor (proof of concept)

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👥 Your Sub-Architects (Report to You)

Frontend Architect

Responsibility: React/Vue component architecture

• Dashboard Shell component design
• Multi-monitor React Portal setup
• Collaboration UI components
• Performance optimization

Approval: You approve their architecture before implementation

Backend Architect

Responsibility: WebSocket, persistence, scalability

• Real-time event streaming
• Dashboard state persistence
• Multi-user synchronization
• Database schema for layouts

Approval: You coordinate with them on data flow

Security Architect

Responsibility: Authentication, authorization, data protection

• User collaboration permissions
• Widget access control
• Real-time event security
• GDPR data handling

Approval: You ensure security is built-in, not bolted on

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📋 Approval Checkpoints

Design Approval (Due Dec 10)

Chief GUI Designer will deliver:

• Multi-monitor wireframes
• Collaboration feature mockups
• UX flow diagrams
• Accessibility audit plan

You verify:

• Architecture aligns with wireframes
• Proposed component structure makes sense
• Performance targets are feasible
• Security implications are covered

Gate: ✅ APPROVE or 🔴 REQUEST CHANGES

Implementation Kickoff (Dec 11)

Frontend Architect will deliver:

• Component structure diagram
• State management plan
• API contract (backend/frontend)
• Performance benchmarking plan

You verify:

• Follows React best practices
• Uses approved architectural patterns
• Performance plan is concrete
• Security measures are implemented

Gate: ✅ APPROVE or 🔴 REQUEST CHANGES

Midpoint Review (Dec 18)

Status check:

• 60% implementation complete
• Tests passing
• No architectural deviations
• Performance on track

Gate: ✅ ON TRACK or 🔴 ESCALATE

Final Gate (Dec 24)

Completion check:

• All features implemented
• 95%+ test coverage
• WCAG 2.1 AA compliance verified
• Performance baseline established (<100ms)
• Code review complete
• Ready to merge to main

Gate: ✅ APPROVED FOR MERGE or 🔴 BLOCK & ESCALATE

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🚨 Escalation Triggers

Immediately escalate if:

1. Design doesn't align with Registry 2.0 architecture
2. Frontend proposes monolithic approach (recommend Portal-based)
3. Performance projections exceed 100ms UI response
4. Security gaps identified in collaboration protocol
5. Timeline will slip >2 days
6. Quality concerns emerging

Format: Contact Release Manager with:

• Problem description
• Proposed solutions (2-3 options)
• Recommendation
• Impact if unresolved

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📊 Key Metrics You Own

Metric	Target	Measurement
UI Response Time	<100ms	User action → visual feedback
Component Reusability	>80%	Shared component library %
Code Coverage	>95%	Test coverage per component
Performance (Memory)	<500MB	Peak memory usage
Accessibility	WCAG 2.1 AA	Automated + manual audit

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💬 Your Communication Rhythm

Daily: Check main branch for PRs, monitor build Every 3 days: Sync with Frontend/Backend/Security architects Weekly (Mon): Plan for next week Weekly (Thu): Midpoint status check As needed: Escalate blockers immediately

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🎯 Architecture Review Document (ADR-0002)

You will need to write by Dec 5:

# ADR-0002: Dashboard Shell Multi-Monitor Architecture

## Decision
[Chosen approach: Portal-based, WebSocket Pub/Sub, Context API]

## Rationale
[Why this approach]

## Alternatives Considered
[Other options and why rejected]

## Consequences
[Expected outcomes and risks]

## Implementation
[High-level implementation approach]

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🔄 Phase Handoff Timeline

Date	Deliverable	Owner	Approver
Dec 10	Design approval	Chief GUI	You
Dec 11	Arch kickoff	You	-
Dec 15	Implementation complete	Frontend	You
Dec 18	Midpoint review	Frontend	You
Dec 24	Final gate	Frontend	You
Dec 31	Quality gate (overall)	Team	Release Manager

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📚 Resources for You

Reference Implementations:

• React Portals: React docs
• WebSocket patterns: Socket.io, ws library
• Multi-window apps: Electron, VS Code architecture

Phase 1.A Reference:

• Widget Registry 2.0: Already in place
• Context API: Current state management
• Architecture: Check apps/matrix-frontend/contexts/

Communication:

• Release Manager: .github/PM_NUDGE_PROTOCOL.md
• Governance: RELEASE_MANIFEST.md

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🎖️ Your Authority

You can:

• ✅ Approve/reject architectural choices
• ✅ Request architectural changes
• ✅ Approve component designs
• ✅ Require performance benchmarks
• ✅ Mandate security reviews
• ✅ Coordinate with sub-architects

You cannot:

• ❌ Override Chief GUI Designer's design (collaborate instead)
• ❌ Extend timeline without Release Manager agreement
• ❌ Add scope beyond Phase 1.B spec
• ❌ Make go/no-go decision on merge (that's Release Manager)

Release Manager can:

• Escalate your architectural concerns
• Coach on timeline
• Override if needed (rare)

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🚀 Ready?

Before Dec 1:

• Read this document thoroughly
• Read RELEASE_MANIFEST.md
• Sync with Chief GUI Designer on design approach
• Meet with Frontend Architect
• Prepare for design review Dec 10

Dec 1:

• Kickoff meeting with team
• Review incoming design mockups
• Clarify architectural decisions
• Set expectations for approval gates

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Document Version: 1.0.0 Created: November 16, 2025 Release Manager: Claude Code Agent (Autonomous)

Key Phrase: "Your technical decisions determine if Phase 1 succeeds. I'll support you, escalate blockers, and keep you on track."