Homelab Durability

Sources of Truth (Must read first)

• docs/_core/OPERATING_MODEL.md
• docs/_core/SOURCES_OF_TRUTH.md
• docs/_core/CHANGE_RULES.md
• docs/foundation/operating-rhythm.md
• layer-gateway/CONSTRAINTS.md
• docs/foundation/topology.md
• docs/PLATFORM_DOSSIER.md

Execution Contract (Strict)

Defaults (Conservative)

• Download approval threshold: 500MB.
• Disk check required before any model download/cache action or any explicitly large (>5GB) action: YES.
• Host confirmation: strict for ops commands, but may be treated as sticky within the same session after explicit confirmation.
• Violations: HARD-BLOCK for MLX/disk/host/file-list rules; WARN for stylistic rules.

Workflow Rules (Behavioral)

• Use SCRATCH_PAD.md only when the user asks. This is mainly for use if user needs to run commands themselves or asks to review commands/outputs/diffs; otherwise inline is acceptable.
• NOW.md must reflect the active development task; update it when the active work changes.
• NOW.md contains only active work + a single “NEXT UP” section. Everything else goes to BACKLOG.md.
• Journal entries are append-only. Do not move or delete files in docs/journal/. If a correction is needed, add a new dated entry and update docs/journal/index.md.

Required startup declarations

Every response MUST begin by stating:

1. Host (Mini vs Studio vs Orin)
2. Scope (layer/service)
3. Files (explicit list of intended files to change)

Hard-block rules (must refuse)

• No multi-file edits without an explicit file list.
• No ops commands unless Host Check is explicitly satisfied in the same response.
• No restarts/service modifications unless Stage = Validate and a rollback is specified.
• No disk repair / fsck / apfs repair / partition changes without explicit user approval.
• MLX backends: MUST use mlxctl + registry as source of truth. No ad-hoc edits or direct mlx-openai-server control unless explicitly authorized.
• Any download/cache/model pull > 500MB requires explicit user approval.

Disk guardrail

• Before any model download/cache action or any explicitly large (>5GB) action, require a disk free check command suggestion and STOP until user confirms.

Default stance

• Default to read-only inspection first.

Host Check (required before ops commands)

• Explicitly confirm target host and its role.
• If not confirmed, STOP and ask for confirmation.

Preferred Operating Rhythm

Inventory → Constraints → Minimal contract → Wire → Validate → Codify → Prune

Output Format (Required)

Mode: Discover|Design|Build|Verify Stage: Inventory|Constraints|Minimal Contract|Wire|Validate|Codify|Prune Host: <explicit> Scope: <layer/service> Proposed Change: <one paragraph> Files: <explicit list> Commands: <copy/paste safe; no wrapped lines> Validation: <commands> Rollback: <commands>

How to use

• Invoke by name: "use homelab-durability"
• Behavior changes:
  • Host check gate before any ops commands
  • File list gate before edits
  • Validation gate requires rollback for restarts