Refine Project Instructions startup validation

Author: ToolboxAid

dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS.md

@@ -4,8 +4,9 @@ Before performing ANY task, Codex must:
 
 - Read `dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS_VERSION.md`.
 - Read the latest `dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS.md` from the repository.
-- Treat the repository copy as authoritative.
-- Discard previously remembered Project Instructions.
+- Treat repository Project Instructions as the only authoritative source.
+- Discard previously remembered Project Instructions before every Codex task.
+- Never allow conversation memory to override repository instructions.
 - Load all referenced instruction documents required by this file and the task.
 - Validate canonical paths.
 - Validate branching model.
@@ -19,6 +20,11 @@ Startup Validation
 
 Reading latest (v<version>) Project Instructions... PASS
 
+Instruction Source
+------------------
+Repository ........ PASS
+Cached Memory ..... DISCARDED
+
 Canonical paths
 ---------------
 Reports .......... dev/reports
@@ -109,7 +115,7 @@ Rules:
 
 ## Current Version/Date
 
-- Project Instructions Version: 2026-06-28.PR_26179_OWNER_012
+- Project Instructions Version: 2026.06.28.001
 - Date: 2026-06-28
 - Owner: OWNER
 

dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS_VERSION.md

@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 # Project Instructions Version
 
-Current Project Instructions Version: 2026-06-28.PR_26179_OWNER_012
+Current Project Instructions Version: 2026.06.28.001
 
 Last Updated: 2026-06-28
 
 ## Breaking Changes Summary
 
 - Codex startup validation is mandatory before every task outcome.
+- Project Instructions versions are repository-owned and increment independently of PR numbers.
 - Codex must read this version file and the latest repository copy of `PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS.md` before performing work.
 - Codex must discard previously remembered Project Instructions and treat the repository copy as authoritative.
 - Codex must validate canonical report and ZIP paths, branching model, and legacy path avoidance before work proceeds.

dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_manual-validation-notes.md

@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
 
 - Confirmed the Startup Contract is the first section in `PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS.md`.
 - Confirmed `PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS_VERSION.md` exists in the active Project Instructions folder.
+- Confirmed Project Instructions version uses repository-owned `2026.06.28.001` format rather than PR-number format.
+- Confirmed the startup response block includes `Instruction Source`, `Repository ........ PASS`, and `Cached Memory ..... DISCARDED`.
+- Confirmed the Startup Contract says conversation memory must never override repository instructions.
 - Confirmed the startup response block uses `dev/reports` and `dev/workspace/zips`.
 - Confirmed the legacy path check calls out `tmp/` and `docs_build/` as not used.
 - Confirmed no runtime or product files were modified.

dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_report.md

@@ -14,9 +14,12 @@ Strengthen the Project Instructions startup contract so every Codex task proves
 ## Governance Outcome
 
 - Added `dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS_VERSION.md`.
+- Replaced PR-shaped Project Instructions versioning with repository-owned version `2026.06.28.001`.
 - Added a mandatory Startup Contract at the top of `PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS.md`.
 - Required Codex to read the version file and latest repository Project Instructions before every task.
 - Required Codex to discard remembered Project Instructions in favor of the repository copy.
+- Added explicit startup output for `Instruction Source`, proving repository instructions are used and cached memory is discarded.
+- Documented that conversation memory must never override repository instructions.
 - Required startup validation for canonical paths, branching model, ZIP/report locations, and legacy path avoidance.
 - Added failure behavior when the version or canonical paths cannot be determined.
 - Documented that the startup validation applies to PLAN, BUILD, APPLY, Review, Audit, Governance, Validation, Read-only, Hard stop, No-op, and Partial completion outcomes.

dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_requirement-checklist.md

@@ -3,15 +3,17 @@
 | Requirement | Result | Notes |
 | --- | --- | --- |
 | Create `PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS_VERSION.md` | PASS | Added under `dev/build/ProjectInstructions/`. |
-| Version file contains current version | PASS | `2026-06-28.PR_26179_OWNER_012`. |
+| Version file contains current version | PASS | `2026.06.28.001`. |
+| Version format is repository-owned, not PR-owned | PASS | Version increments independently of PR numbers. |
 | Version file contains last updated | PASS | `2026-06-28`. |
 | Version file contains breaking changes summary | PASS | Added concise startup validation summary. |
 | Add mandatory Startup Contract at top of `PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS.md` | PASS | Added before the main Project Instructions heading. |
 | Require reading version file and latest Project Instructions | PASS | Included in Startup Contract. |
 | Require repository copy as authoritative and discard memory | PASS | Included in Startup Contract. |
+| Conversation memory must never override repository instructions | PASS | Included in Startup Contract. |
 | Require loading referenced instruction documents | PASS | Included in Startup Contract. |
 | Require canonical path, branching model, ZIP/report validation | PASS | Included in Startup Contract. |
-| Add mandatory response block | PASS | Added exact startup validation response format. |
+| Add mandatory response block | PASS | Added exact startup validation response format with Instruction Source section. |
 | Add failure behavior | PASS | Added STOP example and pre-work stop rule. |
 | Apply to every Codex task type | PASS | Listed all requested task/outcome types. |
 | Do not modify implementation code | PASS | Documentation/governance only. |

dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_validation-report.md

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 - `git diff --check`: PASS
 - `npm run validate:canonical-structure`: PASS
 - Project Instructions grep for startup validation contract: PASS
+- Project Instructions grep for repository-owned version format and Instruction Source output: PASS
 
 ## Playwright
 

dev/reports/codex_changed_files.txt

@@ -1,18 +1,13 @@
 # git status --short
 M  dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS.md
-A  dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS_VERSION.md
-A  dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_branch-validation.md
-A  dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_manual-validation-notes.md
-A  dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_report.md
-A  dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_requirement-checklist.md
-A  dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_validation-report.md
- M dev/reports/codex_changed_files.txt
- M dev/reports/codex_review.diff
+M  dev/build/ProjectInstructions/PROJECT_INSTRUCTIONS_VERSION.md
+M  dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_manual-validation-notes.md
+M  dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_report.md
+M  dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_requirement-checklist.md
+M  dev/reports/PR_26179_OWNER_012-project-instructions-startup-validation_validation-report.md
 
 # git ls-files --others --exclude-standard
 (no output)
 
 # git diff --stat
-dev/reports/codex_changed_files.txt |  19 +-
- dev/reports/codex_review.diff       | 399 +++++++++++++++++-------------------
- 2 files changed, 200 insertions(+), 218 deletions(-)
+(no output)