# Meta-Rule Architecture Overview

**Author**: Matthew Raymer
**Date**: 2025-01-27
**Status**: 📋 **ACTIVE** - Meta-rule organization and relationships

## Meta-Rule Structure

### **Core Always-On Rules** (`meta_core_always_on.mdc`)
- **Purpose**: Applied to every single prompt
- **Scope**: Human competence, time standards, version control, application context
- **Priority**: Critical - foundation for all interactions

### **Enhanced Research Workflows** (`meta_research.mdc`) ⭐ **NEW**
- **Purpose**: Applied to research, investigation, and analysis tasks
- **Scope**: Systematic investigation, evidence collection, root cause analysis
- **Priority**: High - applies to all research tasks
- **Bundles**: Research diagnostic, type safety, version control research, platform context

### **Feature Development Workflows** (`meta_feature_planning.mdc`)
- **Purpose**: Applied to feature planning and development tasks
- **Scope**: Requirements analysis, architecture planning, implementation strategy
- **Priority**: High - applies to feature development

### **Bug Investigation Workflows** (`meta_bug_diagnosis.mdc`)
- **Purpose**: Applied to bug investigation and diagnosis tasks
- **Scope**: Defect analysis, evidence collection, root cause identification
- **Priority**: High - applies to bug investigation

### **Bug Fixing Workflows** (`meta_bug_fixing.mdc`)
- **Purpose**: Applied to bug fixing and resolution tasks
- **Scope**: Fix implementation, testing, validation
- **Priority**: High - applies to bug resolution

## Research Meta-Rule Integration

### **When to Use Research Meta-Rule**

The research meta-rule should be applied when:
- **Investigating bugs** - systematic defect analysis
- **Researching solutions** - feasibility and alternative analysis
- **Analyzing codebases** - architecture and dependency research
- **Collecting evidence** - systematic data gathering
- **Root cause analysis** - systematic problem investigation
- **Impact assessment** - scope and consequence evaluation

### **How It Complements Other Meta-Rules**

- **Core Always-On**: Provides foundation (competence, time, context)
- **Research**: Adds systematic investigation methodology
- **Feature Planning**: Guides feasibility research and analysis
- **Bug Diagnosis**: Provides investigation framework
- **Bug Fixing**: Informs fix strategy through research

### **Research Workflow Phases**

1. **Investigation Setup** - Scope, context, methodology
2. **Evidence Collection** - Systematic data gathering
3. **Analysis & Synthesis** - Pattern recognition, root cause
4. **Conclusion & Action** - Evidence-based recommendations

## Usage Examples

### **Bug Investigation**
```
Apply: meta_core_always_on + meta_research + meta_bug_diagnosis
Result: Systematic investigation with evidence collection and root cause analysis
```

### **Feature Research**
```
Apply: meta_core_always_on + meta_research + meta_feature_planning
Result: Comprehensive feasibility research with platform context
```

### **Architecture Analysis**
```
Apply: meta_core_always_on + meta_research
Result: Systematic architecture investigation with evidence-based conclusions
```

## Benefits of Enhanced Research Meta-Rule

- **Systematic Approach**: Structured investigation methodology
- **Evidence-Based**: Comprehensive data collection and validation
- **Quality Standards**: Defined research quality criteria
- **Integration**: Seamless integration with existing workflows
- **Documentation**: Comprehensive research documentation standards

## Next Steps

1. **Test Research Meta-Rule** - Apply to next research task
2. **Validate Integration** - Ensure smooth workflow integration
3. **Collect Feedback** - Gather effectiveness ratings
4. **Iterate** - Refine based on usage experience

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**Status**: Active documentation
**Priority**: Medium
**Estimated Effort**: Ongoing reference
**Dependencies**: All meta-rules
**Stakeholders**: Development team, Research team
