Optimization Pattern — Context

Pattern: Optimization
Component: context.md
Version: 1.2 | Updated: 2026-07-29

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Purpose

Define the minimum evidence package required before the Optimization pattern may start — and when to refuse to start.

Required before activation

• Baseline metric, method, and window
• Correctness oracle (tests/evals)
• Hotspot evidence (profile/trace)
• Guardrails (p99, error rate, cost)

Refuse to start when

• Optimize request with no baseline
• Production mutate tools before measurement freeze
• Model-facing path change without evaluation skill

Trust and data class

• Label segments as trusted, internal, or untrusted for Optimization packs.
• Keep untrusted retrieval out of the Optimization system channel.
• Optimization MCP enablement follows data class in mcps.md.

Pack shape for Optimization

1. Trigger / AC (human-owned)
2. Ranked evidence inside the Optimization budget
3. Constraints and non-goals for this activation
4. Open questions (empty before irreversible Optimization steps)

Related

• Context pattern when packing is itself the hard problem
• Prompt variable bindings
• Skills activation triggers

Changelog

• 1.2 (2026-07-29): Optimization context gates (required/refuse) rewritten for this envelope.