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Make Every File Count

Every file in your truth repository must actively support right action, with as little noise as possible. No exceptions.

Each file should meet this test: If a human or AI agent faithfully follows this file's guidance (and keeps this file in its context), will it increase the likelihood of action that advances the entity's mission?

If the answer is no, update or remove the file immediately.

Why This Matters​

Every file functions as prompt engineering for your team. Outdated, contradictory, or irrelevant files corrupt the decision-making context for both human and AI agents.

Implementation Guidelines​

Maintain Truth Integrity​

  • Truth begets truth: Each file is source material for future files; issues compound as your system grows
  • No contradictions: Files must be logically consistent with each other
  • Clear conditionals: If a piece of guidance is situational, make conditions explicit
  • Reality check: When strategy changes, update affected files immediately
  • Issue-driven updates: When operational problems trace to documented guidance, fix the source

Prune Ruthlessly​

  • Delete without fear: Source control preserves history and reasoning for all changes; you can always recover what you need
  • Remove dead truth: Delete outdated files that no longer apply
  • Eliminate redundancy: Consolidate overlapping guidance
  • Question everything: Each file must justify its existence

The North Star​

A truth repository where every file actively contributes to coordinated action. Nothing contradictory, nothing outdated, nothing irrelevant. Every piece of documented truth earns its place by reliably guiding right action.

Further Reading​