gauntlet

Gauntlet Protocol

Use when: complex, multi-phase, interdependent work where each phase builds on the previous. High-risk changes. Large refactors. Architectural shifts.

Do NOT use for: simple fixes, independent parallel tasks, straightforward test additions.

Four Roles, Sequential

Scout -> Coder -> Analyst -> Verifier

Role	Job	Key instruction
Scout	Survey codebase, find patterns	"Do NOT implement"
Coder	Implement with TDD	"RED -> GREEN -> REFACTOR. All three."
Analyst	Find problems	"Your job is to find problems, not approve"
Verifier	Final gate	"Default is NO-MERGE. Code must earn it."

Flow

1. Scout finds how -> Coder implements -> Analyst reviews -> Verifier decides
2. MERGE: Done
3. NO-MERGE: Revert, update scout prompt with learnings, iterate

Coder Rules

Must do full TDD:

• RED: Write failing test
• GREEN: Make it pass
• REFACTOR: Extract abstractions, clean up — this is not optional

Cannot deviate from plan:

• Coders implement the plan. They do not decide the plan is wrong.
• If coder believes plan is flawed: STOP, write objection to report, exit
• "Pragmatic shortcuts" are deviations. Deviations are failures.

Include this in EVERY coder prompt:

## HARD CONSTRAINT: No Deviation

You implement the plan exactly as specified. You do not have authority to change the architecture.

If you believe the plan is wrong:
1. STOP immediately
2. Write your objection to reports/{task}-coder.md
3. Exit without implementing anything

You are NOT authorized to:
- Choose a "more pragmatic" approach
- Implement a partial solution
- Rationalize why the plan should be different

Implement the plan or report why you cannot. There is no third option.

Analyst Checks

• Edge cases, security, race conditions, error handling
• Tests cover failure modes, not just happy path
• Architecture: proper abstraction or inline spaghetti?

Verifier Rejects If

• Tests fail
• Analyst found major/blocker issues
• Missing error handling or security concerns
• No proper abstraction (code dumped inline)

Foreman only reads verifier verdict. Don't read scout/analyst reports yourself.