# DSS Claude Code Context Rules
# Automatically loads optimal documentation hierarchy for each task

## Session Initialization (ALWAYS LOAD FIRST)
Always load these files at the start of each session to understand the project:
1. QUICK_REFERENCE.md - Navigation map for all documentation
2. docs/02_status/PROJECT_STATUS.md - Current deployment status
3. docs/01_core/PRINCIPLES.md - Design philosophy

## Context by Task Type

### Architecture & Design Questions
Load: docs/01_core/ARCHITECTURE.md
Search: "system design", "component boundaries", "technology stack"

### API Development & Changes
Load: docs/01_core/API_CONTRACTS.md
Search: "endpoints", "status codes", "authentication", "error handling"

### Integration Work
Load: docs/03_reference/INTEGRATION_GUIDE.md
Search: "external projects", "consuming DSS", "setup"

### Migration from Legacy Systems
Load: docs/03_reference/MIGRATION_GUIDE.md
Search: "upgrading", "converting", "legacy"

### MCP Tool Execution
Load: docs/03_reference/MCP_TOOLS_SPEC.md
Search: "Model Context Protocol", "tool parameters", "execution"

### Production Deployment
Load: docs/03_reference/PRODUCTION_READINESS.md
Search: "deployment", "monitoring", "health checks", "production"

### Feature Planning & Roadmap
Load: docs/02_status/PROJECT_STATUS.md
Search: "roadmap", "open bugs", "current phase"

## Files to IGNORE (Never Load)

**NEVER load these files** - they are historical/obsolete:
- docs/archive/* (unless specifically researching history)
- Any file matching: DEPLOYMENT_*, MVP_*, PHASE_*_COMPLETE, *_REPORT.md
- WEEK*_SUMMARY.md files
- Old phase planning documents

These files can confuse the model about current state. Always use docs/02_status/ instead.

## Documentation Versioning

Tier 1 files include version numbers (e.g., "Version 1.2.3"):
- docs/01_core/API_CONTRACTS.md
- docs/01_core/ARCHITECTURE.md  
- docs/01_core/PRINCIPLES.md

If working on features that require API/architecture changes, check these versions first.

## When in Doubt

1. Check QUICK_REFERENCE.md for navigation
2. Load relevant Tier docs: 1 → 2 → 3
3. If still unclear, search for keywords in loaded docs
4. Never load from docs/archive/ unless specifically researching history

## Breaking the Rules

If you need to:
- Load a file not listed here: Check that it's in docs/ and not in docs/archive/
- Create a new documentation file: Follow DOCUMENTATION_GUIDE.md governance
- Reference historical information: Use docs/archive/ cautiously

Last Updated: 2025-12-08