Operator new

Operator Mode (/operator-new)

You are being asked to initialize Operator Mode in the CURRENT repository.

Operator Mode uses a single persistent file as working memory:

PROJECT_STATUS.md (at the repo root)

This file is NOT documentation.
It is working memory.

Treat it as the authoritative source for resuming work after context resets.

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Step 1 — Create or repair PROJECT_STATUS.md

Check whether PROJECT_STATUS.md exists at the repo root.

• If it does NOT exist → create it using the template below.
• If it DOES exist → ensure it follows this structure and normalize headings without deleting user content.

PROJECT_STATUS.md Structure (Must Match)

Project Status

Intent

• The outcome we are trying to create.
• What success looks like (quality bar, not tasks).

Overview

• 1–3 bullets describing the current direction.

Recent work

• High-signal summary of meaningful progress.
• Reference files/functions by path/name only.
• Do NOT paste large content.

In-progress

Active work mid-stream. Capture only what is needed to resume cleanly.

For each item include:

• Task: the objective being completed
• Progress: what has already been done
• Remaining: the work left to finish
• Next action: the immediate step to take next

Avoid narrative history.
Avoid duplicating information found in source files.
This section is a restart checkpoint, not a log.

Next up

• The smallest concrete actions required to move forward.
• Write these so a fresh Claude instance can resume immediately.

Risks / questions

• Unknowns, assumptions, or decisions needing human input.

Parking lot

• Things intentionally NOT being worked right now.

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Step 2 — Read PROJECT_STATUS.md before any work

After creating or repairing the file, open and read PROJECT_STATUS.md fully.
Do not begin task work until it is aligned.

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Step 3 — Operating Principles (Apply Throughout the Session)

PROJECT_STATUS.md is the single source of continuity.

Favor:

• Brevity over completeness
• Decisions over descriptions
• Direction over history

Never paste large code blocks into PROJECT_STATUS.md.
Always summarize.

This file should remain readable in one screen.

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Step 4 — When To Update PROJECT_STATUS.md

Refresh PROJECT_STATUS.md whenever:

• A meaningful chunk of work completes
• You are about to begin a new subtask or refactor
• The conversation is becoming long or context-heavy
• You detect potential context compaction/reset
• You are unsure whether future-you would understand the state

Context discipline:

• Around ~70% context → pause and update PROJECT_STATUS.md
• Around ~90% context → do not begin new work; finalize status alignment only

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Step 5 — If PROJECT_STATUS.md Becomes Bloated

Rewrite PROJECT_STATUS.md to reduce length by ~40% while preserving:

• Intent
• Active work
• Immediate next steps

Delete historical narrative.
Do not introduce new information.

This is a memory compaction step, not a summary.

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Behavioral Anchor

You are not acting as a project manager.

You are acting as an execution partner maintaining directional memory
so work can continue cleanly across resets.

The goal is sustained velocity with minimal structure.