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Format — exactly - [Name](URL) (Venue Year) - Objective one-sentence description. One link per line. Description ends with a full stop. The (Venue Year) tag is omitted only when the source states no date; an optional [[code](URL)] link to the official implementation may follow the tag.
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One sentence — the description contains exactly one sentence, no semicolon-chained clauses doing the work of two.
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Neutral and factual — no hype ("groundbreaking", "state-of-the-art", "must-read"), no recommendations, no speculative claims.
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Matches the source — the description claims nothing broader, newer, safer, or more conclusive than the linked source supports. Fetch the source if in doubt.
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UK spelling — "organise", "behaviour", "modelling", "licence" (noun).
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Primary source — arXiv, ACL Anthology, OpenReview, official conference/workshop page, official project page, official GitHub repository, official lab blog, or official documentation. No news coverage, newsletters, or summary blogs.
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Canonical URL — prefer arXiv abs/ over pdf/; prefer published proceedings (ACL Anthology, NeurIPS proceedings, OpenReview) over a preprint when both exist; HTTPS; no tracking parameters (utm_*, ref=, fbclid); no shorteners or affiliate links.
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Recency — published or substantially updated 2022 onwards.
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In scope — describes a self-improvement loop (feedback, self-evaluation, self-generated data, code modification, memory, test-time adaptation, automated curricula, or governed updates). Generic agent frameworks, AGI/futurism, and opinion pieces fail.
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Distinct — adds something the list does not already cover.
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No duplicate — check README.md for the URL, the arXiv ID in any form, and the title:
grep -i "<arxiv-id-or-distinctive-title-word>" README.md
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One clear section — fits exactly one existing section; if it fits none, flag for the taxonomy curator instead of forcing it.
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Link works — the URL resolves. Spot-check it, and run the repo gate:
node scripts/link-check.mjs
CHECK_LINKS=1 node scripts/link-check.mjs