carepath-api / docs /decisions /0001-harness-first-development.md
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# 0001 Harness-First Development
Date: 2026-05-05
## Status
Accepted
## Context
The repository currently contains a product README and a large product
specification. There is no application implementation yet.
The project will likely involve human direction plus agent implementation over
many evolving stories. A single massive specification is not enough for safe
agent work because it becomes hard to locate current truth, risk, proof, and
change history.
## Decision
Create Harness v0 before scaffolding product code.
Harness v0 defines:
- Agent entrypoint.
- Product doc split.
- Feature intake and risk lanes.
- Story packet templates.
- Decision records.
- Test matrix.
- Harness backlog.
No application code, fake scripts, CI, or tests are created in this decision.
## Consequences
Positive:
- Agents have a clear operating model before implementation starts.
- Product truth can split away from the massive spec.
- Risky work has a slower lane before code changes.
- Harness growth becomes part of the work.
Tradeoffs:
- Some docs are placeholders until real stories exercise them.
- Validation commands are only contracts until implementation begins.
- The harness must stay small enough to revise from real friction.