# DSS Immutability System (Simplified)

## Overview

Protects core architecture files from accidental modification through a simple git pre-commit hook.

## Protected Files

- `.knowledge/dss-principles.json` - Core design system principles
- `.knowledge/dss-architecture.json` - System architecture definition
- `.clauderc` - AI agent configuration

## How It Works

1. **Git Hook**: Pre-commit hook checks if any protected files are being modified
2. **AI Instructions**: Claude is instructed in `.clauderc` to never modify these files
3. **Manual Override**: You can approve changes by setting an environment variable

## Usage

### Normal Development

All files except the 3 protected core files can be freely modified and committed.

### Modifying Core Files

When you need to modify a protected file:

```bash
# Make your changes to the protected file
vim .knowledge/dss-principles.json

# Commit with explicit approval
ALLOW_CORE_CHANGES=true git commit -m "Update: core architecture change"
```

That's it! No complex workflows, no change requests, just one environment variable.

## For AI Agents

If Claude needs to modify a protected file, it will:
1. Ask you for explicit approval
2. You respond confirming the change
3. Claude makes the change
4. You commit with `ALLOW_CORE_CHANGES=true`

## Installation

The git hook is automatically installed at `.git/hooks/pre-commit`.

To reinstall:
```bash
cp tools/immutability/pre_commit_hook.sh .git/hooks/pre-commit
chmod +x .git/hooks/pre-commit
```

## Philosophy

**Simple is better than complex.** We protect the 3 files that define DSS identity, and trust human judgment for everything else.
