h-frame

name	h-frame
description	Shape an engineering problem without assuming a solution or forcing a project phase. Use when a redesign, refactor, or proposal arrives before the affected object, observed signal, constraints, unresolved relation, and acceptance basis are clear. Default to a conversational frame; record a ProblemCard only on explicit save intent or when current Work supplies a concrete operator-named or agent-inferred receiving use that needs a durable accepted problem statement. Prefer h-diagnose for a concrete failure with unclear cause.
when_to_use	The problem itself is current and under-articulated. This skill may be used independently; it does not require or imply later exploration, comparison, or decision.
argument-hint	[problem signal or proposed change]
allowed-tools	Bash Read Grep Glob mcp__haft__haft_problem mcp__haft__haft_query

h-frame — Shape the current problem

Use the FPF source for problem shaping rather than a hard-coded route. For an exact SourceID or UnitID, call mcp__haft__haft_query(action="fpf", mode="inspect", identifier="..."). Otherwise use mode="concern" with the operator's query, then inspect the direct pattern body before relying on it. A candidate_set is incomplete: select by the current condition and required result kind, then inspect one exact PatternID. If no candidate fits, abstain. Never use a query performed after framing or editing as proof that the earlier work followed that source.

Conditional project-memory orientation

When this framing is context-heavy, multi-session, or reliance-bearing and the exact EntityOfConcern is not already current, resolve its identity with haft_query(action="memory", memory_request={"mode":"resolve", "contract_version":"haft.memory.v1","basis":{"kind":"project_current"}, "query":"...","max_candidates":5}). Select the exact candidate by the current use rather than rank, then use the closed memory_request neighborhood branch advertised by the tool schema with projection_profile_ref="agent_orientation.v2".

Inspect result_kind before relying on content. project_basis_unavailable, known absence, or explicit abstention is visible but non-blocking: continue the frame without inventing a profile, entity, artifact, or human gate. This read does not replace code-graph preflight before a later code edit. Never persist typed memory merely because a read failed; persistence requires an explicit operator save request or a concrete operator-named or agent-inferred receiving use supplied by current Work, with request provenance.

Procedure

1. Stabilize the signal. Separate what was observed from assumed cause and proposed solution. Name the affected object and bounded context.
2. Restore overloaded words. Replace vague terms such as quality, scalable, ready, or process with the exact characteristic, relation, or behavior that matters.
3. Classify only if useful. Diagnosis, optimization, search, or synthesis is a local aid, not a project phase. Hand a concrete unclear failure to h-diagnose when rival causes are the live question.
4. State scope and constraints. Say what is in and out. Separate hard constraints, optimization targets, and observations that must not become targets.
5. Draft acceptance. Propose an observable solved condition and label it as the agent's draft for operator correction. Do not delegate a blank field back to the operator when repository evidence supports a draft.
6. Keep solution content out. If a proposed method exposed the problem, retain it as context but do not make it part of the problem claim.

When a ProblemCard is warranted

A ProblemCard@Context is appropriate only when the affected EntityOfConcern, current constraints, unresolved relations, distinctions to preserve, and acceptance basis are stable enough to survive reuse.

Default to an inline conversational frame. It may use the source-owned ProblemCard@Context shape from C.22.2; that reasoning result is not yet a materialized Haft artifact. Persist through mcp__haft__haft_problem(action="frame", ...) only when:

• the operator explicitly asks to record or save the frame; or
• a concrete operator-named or agent-inferred receiving use needs durable transfer, replay, audit, automation, delayed feedback, expensive feedback, or costly reversal.

Do not force an early cue, hypothesis, or ordinary local edit into a ProblemCard. Do not auto-create a card merely because another Haft skill was invoked.

Persistent form

When persistence is justified, discover the compact contract with haft interface problem.frame --json, then record the smallest honest payload:

mcp__haft__haft_problem(
  action="frame",
  title="<short title>",
  signal="<observation, not assumed cause>",
  problem_type="diagnosis|optimization|search|synthesis",
  acceptance="<observable condition>",
  constraints=["<hard limit>"],
  optimization_targets=["<target>"],
  observation_indicators=["<watch, do not optimize>"],
  blast_radius="<affected scope>",
  reversibility="low|medium|high",
  seed_file="<if current>",
  mode="tactical|standard|deep",
  entity_ref={
    "ref_kind_id":"U.EntityRef",
    "reference_id":"<exact current EntityOfConcern>"
  },
  bounded_context_ref="<exact current bounded context>"
)

Supply entity_ref and bounded_context_ref only from an exact current identity; never invent them from the title. With both present, the kernel may admit a non-binding Haft.ProblemCardAtConcern relation and returns its exact record_reference. Without that basis, the ProblemCard carrier may still be saved while the typed projection honestly remains underdetermined; this is not a failed card and must not be hidden.

Use spec_fit_probe only when a named spec relation is current. It is advisory, not approval, evidence, baseline, or a prerequisite for every frame.

Result

Return the frame and its uncertainties. If persisted, pair the ProblemCard ID with its title or one-line signal. Report the returned record_reference when committed, or the exact missing basis when the projection is underdetermined. Stop there unless a different capability is now current; never prescribe h-explore as the automatic next stage.