feat: 3.13.0 — four-day front, agent binds, SDLC archived

.claude-plugin/plugin.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "fdeops",
-  "description": "Engagement memory for AI coding agents. One @fde skill routes the client work - land, discover, plan, build, ship, close - and the record of it (sponsor, promise, decision, acceptance, dated) lands in local .fde/ files as you confirm judgment. For Forward Deployed Engineers running several clients at once.",
-  "version": "3.12.0",
+  "description": "Engagement memory for AI coding agents. One @fde skill is the client record - brief wrong, they went quiet, when did we agree, what they got - and the dated memory (sponsor, promise, decision, acceptance) lands in local .fde/ files as you confirm judgment. For Forward Deployed Engineers running several clients at once.",
+  "version": "3.13.0",
   "category": "productivity",
   "tags": [
     "community-managed"

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -1,5 +1,16 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 3.13.0 — 2026-08-28
+
+Four-day front: the skill is the engagement record, not a land-to-close operating system.
+
+### Changed
+- **Four days first** — the brief is wrong, they went quiet, when did we agree, what did they get. `@fde` leads with those moments; the six-domain router stays behind them.
+- **First chat binds** — name the client (`@fde this is Acme`); the agent runs `fde resume --init`. The FDE never types the CLI. Terminal `--init` remains the fallback.
+- **Generic SDLC left the router** — `build`, `debug`, `observability`, `qa-live`, `security-audit`, and `test-on-legacy` live in `skills/fde/archive/sdlc/`. Routed count is 31 methods + 5 overlays. Coding, tests, and commits stay in the host agent.
+- **Friday status leads with the value ledger** — promised → measured → accepted, then trust. A number nobody signed is claimed, not delivered.
+- **README** teaches the job, then a 30-second install (plugin or `npx skills add --skill fde`). Method catalog is a details block.
+
 ## 3.12.0 — 2026-08-27
 
 Vocabulary: standard words on the outside, so nothing has to be learned before it works.

adapters/AGENTS.md

@@ -4,10 +4,13 @@ You are the AI coding agent for a **Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)** - the huma
 
 ## Entry
 
-When the FDE types **`@fde`** (or describes an engagement situation - new customer, mid-project takeover, production fire, quiet stakeholder, ready to ship), load the skill and route.
+When the FDE types **`@fde`**, names a client, pastes meeting notes, asks what was agreed, or describes embed work (quiet sponsor, brief feels wrong, Friday update) — load the skill. If `fde resume` says NO ENGAGEMENT: ask the client name once, then **you** run `fde resume --init <slug>`. Never tell them to type it.
+
+Do **not** load `@fde` for ordinary code edits, TypeScript, unit tests, refactors, or git commits.
 
 - Skill (single source of truth): `~/.claude/skills/fde/SKILL.md`
 - **Never ask the FDE to pick a skill.** Read the situation, route silently, do the work.
+- **Never ask the FDE to type `fde …` commands.** You run the local CLI; they confirm judgment in chat.
 
 ## Engagement memory
 

adapters/GEMINI.md

@@ -4,10 +4,13 @@ Context for Gemini CLI when assisting a **Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)** - th
 
 ## Entry
 
-When the FDE types **`@fde`** or describes an engagement situation (new customer, mid-project takeover, production fire, quiet stakeholder, ready to ship), load the skill and route.
+When the FDE types **`@fde`**, names a client, pastes meeting notes, asks what was agreed, or describes embed work (quiet sponsor, brief feels wrong, Friday update) — load the skill. If `fde resume` says NO ENGAGEMENT: ask the client name once, then **you** run `fde resume --init <slug>`. Never tell them to type it.
+
+Do **not** load `@fde` for ordinary code edits, TypeScript, unit tests, refactors, or git commits.
 
 - Skill (single source of truth): `~/.claude/skills/fde/SKILL.md`
 - **Never ask the FDE to pick a skill.** Read the situation, route silently, do the work.
+- **Never ask the FDE to type `fde …` commands.** You run the local CLI; they confirm judgment in chat.
 
 ## Engagement memory
 

adapters/LOCAL-LLM.md

@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ The model reads SKILL.md, routes to the right skill, and produces artifacts in y
 
 ## Model size recommendations
 
-The methodology is detailed (37 methods, routing logic, evidence format, memory contract). Larger models handle it better:
+The methodology is detailed (31 methods, routing logic, evidence format, memory contract). Larger models handle it better:
 
 | Model class | Experience |
 |-------------|-----------|

adapters/README.md

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 
 **One brain, thin adapters.** fdeops has a single source of truth - the `@fde` skill at `skills/fde/SKILL.md` and the `fde` CLI. Each AI coding tool discovers it through a small pointer file in the place that tool already looks. No forked logic, no five copies to maintain - every adapter says the same thing: *route via `@fde`, read/write `.fde/` memory, talk like a peer, never touch what isn't yours.*
 
-**Switching tools:** the fieldbook does not live in the agent. It lives at `~/fde-engagements/<client>/.fde/`. Point a new tool at a bound workspace, drop adapters (or install the skill/plugin for that tool), and the same client record opens. Auto session hooks are Claude Code–first; elsewhere load via `@fde` / `fde resume`. See [README § What works where](../README.md#what-works-where).
+**Switching tools:** the fieldbook does not live in the agent. It lives at `~/fde-engagements/<client>/.fde/`. Point a new tool at a bound workspace, drop adapters (or install the skill/plugin for that tool), and the same client record opens. Auto session hooks are Claude Code–first; elsewhere load via `@fde` / `fde resume`. See [README § Switch coding agents](../README.md#switch-coding-agents-anytime).
 
 ## What goes where
 
@@ -31,4 +31,4 @@ Defaults to the current directory if no path is given. Existing files are never
 
 ## The principle
 
-The adapter only tells the tool **where the brain is and how to behave**. All the method - the 37 methods, the overlays, the memory contract - lives once in `skills/fde/SKILL.md`. Update the brain, every platform gets it. That's why fdeops feels native in whatever the FDE already uses, without five things to keep in sync.
+The adapter only tells the tool **where the brain is and how to behave**. All the method - the 31 methods, the overlays, the memory contract - lives once in `skills/fde/SKILL.md`. Update the brain, every platform gets it. That's why fdeops feels native in whatever the FDE already uses, without five things to keep in sync.

adapters/copilot-instructions.md

@@ -4,10 +4,13 @@ You are the AI coding agent for a **Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)** - the huma
 
 ## Entry
 
-When the FDE types **`@fde`** or describes an engagement situation (new customer, mid-project takeover, production fire, quiet stakeholder, ready to ship), load the skill and route.
+When the FDE types **`@fde`**, names a client, pastes meeting notes, asks what was agreed, or describes embed work (quiet sponsor, brief feels wrong, Friday update) — load the skill. If `fde resume` says NO ENGAGEMENT: ask the client name once, then **you** run `fde resume --init <slug>`. Never tell them to type it.
+
+Do **not** load `@fde` for ordinary code edits, TypeScript, unit tests, refactors, or git commits.
 
 - Skill (single source of truth): `~/.claude/skills/fde/SKILL.md`
 - **Never ask the FDE to pick a skill.** Read the situation, route silently, do the work.
+- **Never ask the FDE to type `fde …` commands.** You run the local CLI; they confirm judgment in chat.
 
 ## Engagement memory
 

adapters/cursor.fde.mdc

@@ -9,9 +9,11 @@ You are the AI coding agent for a **Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)** - the huma
 
 ## Entry
 
-When the FDE types **`@fde`** or describes an engagement situation in plain language (new customer, meeting notes, prep for a stakeholder meeting, scope dispute, ready to ship), load the skill and route.
+When the FDE types **`@fde`**, names a client, pastes meeting notes, asks what was agreed, or describes embed work (quiet sponsor, brief feels wrong, Friday update) — load `@fde`. If `fde resume` says NO ENGAGEMENT: ask the client name once, then **you** run `fde resume --init <slug>`. Never tell them to type it.
 
-- Skill (single source of truth): `~/.claude/skills/fde/SKILL.md`
+Do **not** load `@fde` for ordinary code edits, unit tests, refactors, or git commits.
+
+- Skill (single source of truth): `~/.claude/skills/fde/SKILL.md` (or the copy this install placed)
 - **Never ask the FDE to pick a skill.** Read the situation, route silently, do the work.
 - **Never ask the FDE to type `fde …` commands.** You run the local CLI; they confirm judgment in chat.
 

bin/check.js

@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ ok('skills structure')
 
 // v3: one skill + phase references (progressive disclosure)
 const requiredReferences = [
-  'land.md', 'discover.md', 'audit.md', 'plan.md', 'build.md', 'review.md',
-  'debug.md', 'rescue.md', 'ship.md', 'sketch.md', 'close.md', 'dashboard.md',
+  'land.md', 'discover.md', 'audit.md', 'plan.md', 'review.md',
+  'rescue.md', 'ship.md', 'sketch.md', 'close.md', 'dashboard.md',
   'debrief.md', 'status.md', 'demo-prep.md',
   'healthcare.md', 'fintech.md', 'gov.md',
   'ai.md', 'eval-pack.md',
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ ok('phase references')
 // every judgment-heavy reference carries a worked example that names the memory
 // file the work lands in. Prose-only guidance drifts into advice nobody can apply.
 const exampleReferences = [
-  'land.md', 'discover.md', 'plan.md', 'build.md', 'ship.md', 'close.md',
+  'land.md', 'discover.md', 'plan.md', 'ship.md', 'close.md',
   'status.md', 'stakeholder-radar.md', 'options-analysis.md', 'business-case.md',
   'assumption-audit.md', 'scope-defense.md',
 ]

bin/fde.js

@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
  *   fde receipts <term>     "what did we agree?" - search memory with dates
  *   fde capture             session-end snapshot → context.md (hooks use this)
  *   fde preserve            pre-compaction context snapshot (hook-internal; hooks use this)
- *   fde status [--all]      current engagement (default) or full portfolio (--all)
+ *   fde status [--all]      value ledger first, then trust (pass --all for portfolio)
  *   fde dashboard [--all]   current engagement fieldbook (default) or all (--all)
  *   fde vault               derived Obsidian vault of the fieldbook (disposable; --redacted)
  */
@@ -1223,7 +1223,7 @@ function cmdResume(args) {
         .filter(d => !d.startsWith('.') && fs.existsSync(path.join(ENGAGEMENTS_ROOT, d, '.fde')))
         .join(', ') || '(none yet)'
       : '(none yet)'
-    console.log(`NO ENGAGEMENT for this workspace.\nexisting: ${list}\ncreate + bind one:  fde resume --init <client-name>`)
+    console.log(`NO ENGAGEMENT for this workspace.\nexisting: ${list}\nAsk the human the client name (one question), then run: fde resume --init <client-name>\nDo not tell them to type that command.`)
     process.exit(2)
   }
   // Monday-morning: triage + proactive hygiene (silent when clean), then memory.
@@ -2295,21 +2295,59 @@ function hasValueBucket(eng) {
 const PENDING_CELL_RE =
   /^(?:pending|tbd|to ?be ?(?:measured|confirmed|determined)|n\s*\/\s*a|na|none|unknown|not measured|\?+|\.{2,}|…|-+|—+|–+)(?:[^\w].*)?$/i
 
-function claimedValueRows(eng) {
+function parseValueLedger(eng) {
   const ledger = stripTemplateNoise(sectionBody(readClean(eng, 'delivery.md'), 'Value ledger') || '')
   const table = parseMdTable(ledger)
-  if (!table) return { claimed: 0, columnMissing: false }
-  const mIdx = colIndex(table.headers, /measured/i)
-  if (mIdx === -1) return { claimed: 0, columnMissing: false }
-  const aIdx = colIndex(table.headers, /accept/i)
-  let claimed = 0
+  if (!table) return { rows: [], columnMissing: false }
+  const idx = {
+    slice: colIndex(table.headers, /slice/i),
+    promised: colIndex(table.headers, /promised/i),
+    measured: colIndex(table.headers, /measured/i),
+    accepted: colIndex(table.headers, /accept/i),
+  }
+  const cell = (row, i) => (i === -1 ? '' : String(row[i] || '').trim())
+  const rows = []
   for (const row of table.rows) {
-    const measured = String(row[mIdx] || '').trim()
-    if (!measured || PENDING_CELL_RE.test(measured)) continue
-    const accepted = aIdx === -1 ? '' : String(row[aIdx] || '').trim()
-    if (!accepted || PENDING_CELL_RE.test(accepted)) claimed++
+    const slice = cell(row, idx.slice)
+    const promised = cell(row, idx.promised)
+    const measured = cell(row, idx.measured)
+    const accepted = cell(row, idx.accepted)
+    if (!slice && !promised && !measured) continue
+    const measuredPending = !measured || PENDING_CELL_RE.test(measured)
+    const acceptedPending = idx.accepted === -1 || !accepted || PENDING_CELL_RE.test(accepted)
+    let state = 'unmeasured'
+    if (!measuredPending && acceptedPending) state = 'claimed'
+    else if (!measuredPending) state = 'accepted'
+    rows.push({ slice, promised, measured, accepted, state })
   }
-  return { claimed, columnMissing: aIdx === -1 }
+  return { rows, columnMissing: idx.accepted === -1 }
+}
+
+function claimedValueRows(eng) {
+  const { rows, columnMissing } = parseValueLedger(eng)
+  return { claimed: rows.filter(r => r.state === 'claimed').length, columnMissing }
+}
+
+function formatValueLedgerLine(r) {
+  const name = r.slice || 'value'
+  let body = r.promised || ''
+  if (r.state !== 'unmeasured' && r.measured) {
+    if (!body) body = r.measured
+    else if (!body.includes(r.measured)) body = `${body} → ${r.measured}`
+  }
+  const head = body ? `${name}: ${body}` : name
+  if (r.state === 'accepted') return `${head} · accepted by ${r.accepted}`
+  if (r.state === 'claimed') return `${head} · claimed, not yet accepted`
+  return `${head} · not yet measured`
+}
+
+function valueLedgerStatusLines(eng, opts = {}) {
+  const { rows } = parseValueLedger(eng)
+  if (!rows.length) return ['    value: none yet']
+  const cap = opts.compact ? 1 : 8
+  const lines = rows.slice(0, cap).map(r => `    ${formatValueLedgerLine(r)}`)
+  if (rows.length > cap) lines.push(`    … ${rows.length - cap} more in delivery.md`)
+  return lines
 }
 
 // AI in scope for ship/close hygiene — delivery/decisions/trust evidence only.
@@ -2669,7 +2707,7 @@ function cmdStatus(args) {
       if (!fs.existsSync(eng)) continue
       const s = computeSignals(eng)
       const note = [s.memoryWarn, (s.dirtyFiles && s.dirtyFiles.length) ? `dirty:${s.dirtyFiles.length}` : '', s.reason || s.topRisk].filter(Boolean).join(' · ').slice(0, 70)
-      rows.push({ name: d, phase: s.phase, trust: s.trust, signalAge: s.signalAge, stale: s.stale, updated: s.updated, reason: note, memoryWarn: s.memoryWarn, dirtyFiles: s.dirtyFiles })
+      rows.push({ name: d, phase: s.phase, trust: s.trust, signalAge: s.signalAge, stale: s.stale, updated: s.updated, reason: note, memoryWarn: s.memoryWarn, dirtyFiles: s.dirtyFiles, valueLines: valueLedgerStatusLines(eng, { compact: true }) })
     }
   } else {
     const eng = resolveEngagement()
@@ -2679,13 +2717,14 @@ function cmdStatus(args) {
     }
     const s = computeSignals(eng)
     const note = [s.memoryWarn, (s.dirtyFiles && s.dirtyFiles.length) ? `dirty:${s.dirtyFiles.length}` : '', s.reason || s.topRisk].filter(Boolean).join(' · ').slice(0, 70)
-    rows.push({ name: engagementSlugFromPath(eng), phase: s.phase, trust: s.trust, signalAge: s.signalAge, stale: s.stale, updated: s.updated, reason: note, memoryWarn: s.memoryWarn, dirtyFiles: s.dirtyFiles })
+    rows.push({ name: engagementSlugFromPath(eng), phase: s.phase, trust: s.trust, signalAge: s.signalAge, stale: s.stale, updated: s.updated, reason: note, memoryWarn: s.memoryWarn, dirtyFiles: s.dirtyFiles, valueLines: valueLedgerStatusLines(eng) })
   }
   if (!rows.length) { console.log('no engagements yet'); return }
   const order = { RED: 0, amber: 1, green: 2 }
   rows.sort((a, b) => order[a.trust] - order[b.trust])
-  console.log((all ? 'FDE PORTFOLIO' : 'FDE STATUS') + ' - trust-first triage (heuristic: red > amber > green)\n')
+  console.log((all ? 'FDE PORTFOLIO' : 'FDE STATUS') + ' - value first, then trust\n')
   for (const r of rows) {
+    for (const line of r.valueLines) console.log(line)
     // "amber?" = structured signal went stale (>21d) - reconfirm before trusting it
     const label = r.trust + (r.stale ? '?' : '')
     const sig = r.signalAge != null ? `signal ${r.signalAge}d old${r.stale ? ' (STALE - reconfirm)' : ''}  ` : ''
@@ -3153,7 +3192,7 @@ function printUsage() {
   fde tidy [--apply]       propose safe consolidations (contract: no new facts; git-reversible)
   fde owner [set email]    who keeps this engagement record
   fde receipts <term>      "what did we agree?" with dates
-  fde status [--all]       current engagement status (pass --all for full portfolio)
+  fde status [--all]       value ledger, then trust (pass --all for full portfolio)
   fde dashboard [--all]    current engagement fieldbook (pass --all for every client)
   fde vault                derived Obsidian vault of every engagement (--current for one, --redacted for a shared screen, --out <dir>)
   hooks call these; you do not: capture (session-end snapshot), preserve (pre-compaction snapshot)

docs/REPO_LAYOUT.md

@@ -2,7 +2,8 @@
 
 | Path | Purpose |
 |------|---------|
-| `skills/fde/` | **The one skill** - router (`SKILL.md`) + 37 methods, 5 overlays, and AI companion `eval-pack` under `references/` - installed to `~/.claude/skills/` |
+| `skills/fde/` | **The one skill** - router (`SKILL.md`) + 31 routed methods, 5 overlays, and AI companion `eval-pack` under `references/` - installed to `~/.claude/skills/` |
+| `skills/fde/archive/sdlc/` | Archived SDLC methods (`build`, `debug`, `observability`, `qa-live`, `security-audit`, `test-on-legacy`) - kept for history, **not routed** |
 | `adapters/` | Thin per-tool pointers (Codex/`AGENTS.md`, Gemini, Cursor, Copilot, local LLMs) - `node bin/install.js adapters <dir>` |
 | `templates/.fde/` | Core memory templates for `fde resume --init` (phase artifacts are created by phases on demand; `evals.md` is optional) |
 | `examples/` | Fictional walkthroughs with sample `.fde/` files |