exeris-docs-document-shape-classifier

name	exeris-docs-document-shape-classifier
description	Document shape classifier for exeris-docs. Use whenever a user asks to "draft an ADR / RFC / research note" — confirms Research / RFC / ADR / refactor-note is the right shape, and selects the right template.

Exeris Docs Document Shape Classifier (skill)

Purpose

Classify the question shape before opening a template. The three templates are NOT interchangeable; refactor-only changes are NOT decision docs at all.

Single source. Template shapes, filenames, and selection rules live once in templates/README.md (and CLAUDE.md § "Decision-document templates"). This skill applies the decision tree below and points at the right file — read templates/README.md for the authoritative shape definitions.

When to Use

• Any "draft an ADR" / "write an RFC" / "make a research note" request.
• Any time the user reaches for a template without naming which one.
• Any time an ADR draft surfaces but upstream measurement / option comparison is missing.

Templates (summary — authoritative copy in templates/README.md)

• Research (RESEARCH-TEMPLATE.md) — falsifiable hypothesis, lab-notebook, JMH/JFR-driven. Branch-scoped, no registry.
• RFC (RFC-TEMPLATE.md) — multi-option strategic question. No registry.
• ADR (ADR-TEMPLATE.md) — decision already made. Enters the registry.

Decision Procedure

1. Is upstream measurement missing? → Research first.
2. Are there multiple legitimate options needing comparison? → RFC.
3. Is the decision already made (single decider, no future gating event)? → ADR, accepted-on-merge.
4. Is the decision genuinely deferred (multi-stakeholder, waiting for input)? → ADR with PROPOSED status.
5. Is it a refactor / rename / dep bump? → NOT a decision doc. Lives in <repo>/docs/refactor-notes/ or PR description.

Output Contract

1. recommended_shape (RESEARCH | RFC | ADR | NOT_A_DECISION_DOC)
2. template_path
3. rationale (2-3 sentences citing the decision tree)
4. next_steps (reserve number / create branch / commit to PR description)

Decision Logic

• RESEARCH: Question is empirical and unmeasured.
• RFC: Question is strategic with multiple options to compare.
• ADR: Decision already made; the doc records it.
• NOT_A_DECISION_DOC: Change is mechanical; no decision to record.

Completion Criteria

• Shape chosen with citation to one of the 5 decision steps.
• Template path provided.
• Next concrete step provided.

Non-Negotiable Rules

• Never draft an ADR on an unmeasured question — Research first.
• Never draft an ADR when option comparison hasn't happened — RFC first.
• Never draft an ADR for a refactor-only change.
• Never conflate the three templates; their shapes differ on purpose.