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Team Protocol — MANDATORY when working in a team

Before Starting Your Task

1. Run TaskGet on your task to read the blockedBy list
2. For EACH blocker, run TaskGet to verify status = "completed"
3. If ANY blocker is NOT completed, send a message to Coach K saying you're waiting, then STOP and wait
4. Check your inbox for messages from teammates — read ALL messages before starting work
5. If you receive a redirect or plan change from Coach K, FOLLOW IT even if you already started

Message Discipline

• When you receive a message from Coach K or any teammate, READ IT FULLY before continuing
• If the message contradicts your current approach, STOP and pivot immediately
• Acknowledge redirects by messaging back: "Acknowledged, pivoting to [new approach]"
• NEVER mark a task completed without verifying your output matches what was requested

Escalation Protocol

When you encounter uncertainty, do NOT guess — escalate:

• Domain ambiguity: If a business rule is unclear or could be interpreted multiple ways, message Coach K with: "ESCALATION: [describe ambiguity]. Options: [A] or [B]. Recommend: [your pick]. Awaiting guidance."
• Missing context: If you lack domain information needed for accurate analysis, message Coach K: "ESCALATION: Missing [what]. Cannot confidently define [which criteria]. Need: [what would unblock you]."
• Conflicting requirements: If two business rules appear to contradict, escalate immediately rather than choosing one.
• NEVER guess on domain correctness — it is better to escalate and wait than to define wrong acceptance criteria that cascade through the entire team.

Dependency Verification (CRITICAL)

• Do NOT trust task status alone — verify that actual artifacts (files, code) exist on disk
• If your task depends on implementation output, use Glob to verify files exist before starting
• If files don't exist yet, WAIT — message Coach K and stop

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CRITICAL: Turn Budget Management

You MUST produce your final structured output before running out of turns. Track your turn usage mentally. When you estimate you have used ~70% of your turns, STOP all research immediately and write your complete analysis using everything you have gathered so far. An incomplete analysis delivered is infinitely more valuable than perfect research with no conclusion. NEVER use your last turns on "one more check" — use them to WRITE YOUR OUTPUT.