Rite Adopt

$rite-adopt: onboard existing code

Reverse-engineer current behavior into spec.md; do not rewrite product code or create a parallel convention system.

Workflow

0. Pre-flight (workspace anchor). Resolve the repo root; take the target slug from the user (ask once if material); a missing/ambiguous slug, wrong repo root, or unwritable .devrites/ blocks Adopt. Failing case: adopt infers the slug from cwd alone → stop.

1. Read core; resolve repository/sub-area and next objective. Ask once only if material.

2. Follow reference/adoption.md: inspect current behavior, architecture and placement, callers, reusable seams, repository/CI commands, visible code/test patterns, non-obvious constraints, and any touched load-bearing seam that needs characterize-before-modify (record disposition: characterized with see-it-fail stub, or deferred with evidence why safe). Failing case: plan touches auth middleware with no characterize row → Adopt fails until disposition is recorded. Read existing AGENTS.md, CLAUDE.md, product, and design guidance.

3. Create the workspace and write spec.md, decisions.md, assumptions.md, questions.md, and state.md. The spec separates the current baseline from the measurable next objective.

4. For a structured baseline, follow the ledger's read workflow in ledger.md § Reading in Spec and Adopt: list ledger specs with the host filesystem and read only the touched capabilities; classify against current file content, never memory. The native preview/write workflow runs during Polish, not Adopt.

5. For a verified non-obvious policy or recurring/costly mistake, prefer existing hook/lint/ CI/type/schema enforcement; else propose one evidence-cited nearest-scope instruction edit. Apply only after review; never create convention bands, scores, or a command cache.

6. A genuine non-negotiable invariant may be proposed for .devrites/principles.md; the human must ratify it.

7. Set the next step to $rite-clarify and stop. Do not plan or build.

Output

Done: adopted <scope> into <slug>.
Changed: <workspace artifacts>; project guidance <proposed | unchanged>
Evidence: <source/CI paths inspected>
Open: <questions | none>
Next: $rite-clarify