From 11b2fae365ffa5b786bfdf1e93deb7723df33daa Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: showxu <10173746+showxu@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2026 01:05:52 +0800
Subject: [PATCH] chore: standardize repository closeout and maintenance

---
 CONTRIBUTING.md | 28 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 28 insertions(+)

diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index b3c7df7..8943d25 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -5,3 +5,31 @@ Read the [architecture](Documentation/Architecture/README.md) and [interface con
 Run `python3 -m unittest discover -s Tests -p 'test_*.py' -v` and package into a new output directory with `python3 Scripts/build_package.py`. When changing the native interface, inspect the matching real executable and run `Scripts/validate_native.py --executable PATH`. Never use authenticated model calls as ordinary unit tests.
 
 Do not commit caches, local credentials, generated runtime state or `.agent` evidence. Publishing a repository or release is a separate explicit action.
+
+## Repository closeout
+
+Use the default branch for daily integration and a task branch or isolated
+worktree for changes. Before cleanup, inspect local changes, worktree owners,
+open pull requests and the accepted source revision. Preserve unrelated source,
+credentials, runtime state and non-generated ignored files; never reset, clean
+or stash another task's work to make a checkout appear clean.
+
+After delivery, fast-forward only a clean integration checkout. Retire a task
+branch only when its tip is in the accepted default branch or its exact head
+matches a merged pull request whose merge is reachable there. Preserve unique
+work with a documented reconciliation and independently verified recovery
+bundle before retiring its directory. Remove owned worktrees through Git, or
+through the managing application's archive operation for managed worktrees.
+
+Build caches in the daily checkout may remain useful. Remove inactive duplicate
+task caches, package staging and disposable test outputs after checking their
+owner and running references. Preserve source inputs, immutable release
+artifacts, necessary failure/acceptance evidence and required rollback state.
+Keep local progress and recovery inventories under ignored `.agent/`; current
+product behavior must remain understandable from committed documentation.
+
+A merged source change, a validated package and a published release have
+different identities. Record the exact source and artifact/check evidence at
+handoff. Documentation or repository cleanup alone does not require a product
+release; published tags and assets remain immutable. Active dependency-update
+pull requests are reviewed maintenance work, not disposable cleanup residue.