convention pal-e-agency
convention-dictionary-authority updated 2026-04-12

Convention: Dictionary Authority

Establishes dictionary definitions as the source of truth for all platform terminology.

Rule

Dictionary definitions (definition-* notes) are the authoritative source of truth for platform terminology. If a template, SOP, convention, project page, or ticket uses a term that contradicts its dictionary definition, the definition takes precedence and the conflicting document must be updated to conform.

Rationale

Without a single source of truth for terminology, the same word means different things in different contexts. "App" meant one thing in the project template, another in a ticket, and a third in conversation. This causes agents to make wrong assumptions, tickets to be scoped incorrectly, and architecture decisions to drift. The dictionary is the Kantian foundation — working definitions established before work begins. Per Lucas (2026-04-12): "if there is a discrepancy between the dictionary and any note or project, the dictionary should take precedence and give direction."

Examples

Correct Incorrect Why
Project page says "Boards implement user stories through architecture" (matches definition-board) Project page says "The board tracks task status" The definition says boards implement stories, not track tasks. Update the project page.
Ticket says "westside-app is the authenticated SvelteKit frontend" (matches definition-app) Ticket says "westside-app is the landing site" The definition says the landing page is a route inside the app, not the app itself.
Agent checks definition-division before using "division" in a Westside ticket Agent assumes "division" means organizational unit In Westside context, division means Kings/Queens age-group split. The definition is authoritative.

Enforcement

Convention only (for now). Agents should check definitions when using platform terms in tickets and scope documents. Future: a /define skill will enforce lookup-or-create on unfamiliar terms. Future: hook enforcement on issue creation to validate terminology against definitions.

  • sop-dictionary-entry — procedure for adding new definitions
  • template-project-page — project pages reference definitions for key terms
  • definition-app, definition-board, definition-project — existing definitions