Harden docs district topology

Consolidate docs guardrails, remove dead docs district doors, and route receipt material into owner-owned mechanic surfaces.

Author: 8Dionysus

AGENTS.md

@@ -56,7 +56,6 @@ Entry routing is governed by `docs/START_HERE_ROUTE_CONTRACT.md`.
 4. `docs/FEDERATION_RULES.md`
 5. `ROADMAP.md`
 6. `README.md`
-7. For detailed preserved root branches, read `docs/agent-lane/AGENTS_ROOT_REFERENCE.md`.
 
 ## Route modes
 
@@ -91,6 +90,25 @@ Use the named route before widening a center claim:
 - runtime budgets, service state, storage, or frontend presentation belongs in `abyss-stack`
 - skill, technique, eval, memo, routing, KAG, or stats meaning belongs in its owner repo
 
+## Hard no
+
+- Do not absorb technique, skill, eval, memo, role, playbook, routing, KAG, stats, runtime, or ToS source truth into the center.
+- Do not let generated registries, routing tables, compact indexes, or derived reports masquerade as source authority.
+- Do not turn the root README, docs root, or CHANGELOG into an archive of every package, wave, or session note.
+- Do not hide semantic changes under "docs-only" or "metadata-only" wording.
+- Do not harden long-arc direction into implementation claims unless the owning repository or mechanic surface moves with it.
+- Do not let quest, RPG, checkpoint, recurrence, progression, or self-agency language imply live runtime state, ledger ownership, or unreviewable autonomy.
+
+## Review-critical drift
+
+Treat these as high-risk findings in this center repository:
+
+- contradictions across `README.md`, `CHARTER.md`, `ECOSYSTEM_MAP.md`, `docs/LAYERS.md`, `docs/FEDERATION_RULES.md`, `ROADMAP.md`, and source-backed generated capsules
+- routing that points readers to the wrong owner repository or mechanic package
+- generated or derived surfaces changed without their source docs, builders, validators, or tests
+- public promises that are not supported by release-support evidence
+- center claims that silently absorb owner-local implementation, proof, runtime, memory, or ToS meaning
+
 ## Verify
 
 Run the narrowest relevant center check. Default center integrity:
@@ -126,12 +144,10 @@ python scripts/validate_ecosystem.py
 python -m pytest -q
 ```
 
-If an Agon owner-binding or gate-routing surface changes, also run the matching builder, validator, and targeted tests named in `docs/agent-lane/AGENTS_ROOT_REFERENCE.md`.
+If an Agon owner-binding or gate-routing surface changes, use
+`mechanics/agon/AGENTS.md` and `mechanics/agon/parts/AGENTS.md` for the
+matching builder, validator, and targeted tests.
 
 ## Report
 
 Close with the center surfaces changed, whether owner boundaries shifted, which neighboring repos are affected, and exactly which checks ran or did not run.
-
-## Full reference
-
-`docs/agent-lane/AGENTS_ROOT_REFERENCE.md` preserves the previous detailed root guidance for audits, Agon branches, review guidelines, and specialized validation paths.

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -35,16 +35,16 @@ Tracking starts with the community-docs baseline for this repository.
   `*OWNER_REPO_REQUESTS.md` packets, `generated/owner_request_queue.min.json`,
   and owner-request validators for center-side handoff tracking
 - docs thematic district cleanup law through
-  `docs/THEMATIC_DISTRICT_PROTOCOL.md`, `docs/CURRENT_SURFACE_INDEX.md`,
-  `docs/thematic_districts.json`, `generated/docs_thematic_index.min.json`,
+  `docs/guardrails/THEMATIC_DISTRICT_PROTOCOL.md`, `docs/guardrails/CURRENT_SURFACE_INDEX.md`,
+  `docs/guardrails/thematic_districts.json`, `generated/docs_thematic_index.min.json`,
   district README gates, and docs-thematic validators
 - Wave E link and shape hygiene guardrails through
-  `docs/LINK_AND_SHAPE_HYGIENE_PROTOCOL.md`,
-  `docs/HYGIENE_GUARDRAIL_INDEX.md`,
+  `docs/guardrails/LINK_AND_SHAPE_HYGIENE_PROTOCOL.md`,
+  `docs/guardrails/HYGIENE_GUARDRAIL_INDEX.md`,
   `config/link_shape_hygiene.json`, `generated/link_shape_hygiene.min.json`,
   local-link/status/freshness validators, and exact known-repair traces
-- Wave F AGENTS mesh guardrails through `docs/AGENTS_MESH_PROTOCOL.md`,
-  `docs/AGENTS_MESH_INDEX.md`, `config/agents_mesh.json`,
+- Wave F AGENTS mesh guardrails through `docs/guardrails/AGENTS_MESH_PROTOCOL.md`,
+  `docs/guardrails/AGENTS_MESH_INDEX.md`, `config/agents_mesh.json`,
   `generated/agents_mesh.min.json`, local `AGENTS.md` district cards, mesh
   validators, and regression tests
 - Experience-style mechanic `AGENTS.md` route law across center mechanics,
@@ -201,6 +201,14 @@ Tracking starts with the community-docs baseline for this repository.
 
 ### Changed
 
+- docs guardrail law now lives under `docs/guardrails/`, with
+  `docs/README.md` and `docs/AGENTS.md` kept as compact routes; empty
+  `docs/agon/`, `docs/experience/`, `docs/legacy/`, `docs/landings/`, and
+  `docs/postmortems/` doors were removed in favor of mechanic-owned
+  legacy/provenance routes; the federation release retrospective now lives
+  under `mechanics/release-support/legacy/raw/`
+- docs traces now use a function-named link/shape hygiene apply manifest
+  instead of an active wave-named trace path
 - root `mechanics/*.md` surfaces now have a stricter source-of-truth split:
   `mechanics/README.md` stays a compact atlas, `mechanics/AGENTS.md` owns
   editing and validation law, artifact topology owns placement rules, and the
@@ -369,9 +377,10 @@ Tracking starts with the community-docs baseline for this repository.
 - active mechanic child docs now route executable validation through the
   nearest `AGENTS.md`, with Markdown shape validation guarding against command
   drift back into child docs
-- detailed agent-lane and Codex audit references now live under
-  `docs/agent-lane/` and `docs/audits/`, while `docs/MECHANICS.md` remains a
-  narrow compatibility route into `mechanics/README.md`
+- detailed Codex audit references now live under `docs/audits/`, while
+  `docs/MECHANICS.md` remains a narrow compatibility route into
+  `mechanics/README.md`; the old agent-lane reference cache was distilled into
+  root and mechanic `AGENTS.md` surfaces and removed
 - stale links from old flat docs paths into mechanic packages and root docs
   audit surfaces now route through exact, manifest-backed repair rules
 

ECOSYSTEM_AUDIT_INDEX.md

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ Use this route when the question is not only "is the claim true?" but "should th
 | civic law or public map | root |
 | contributor, security, conduct, or license surface | root |
 | compact civic index | root only while compact |
-| historical seed or wave receipt | `docs/landings/` or the nearest specific docs district |
+| historical seed or package receipt | owning `mechanics/<slug>/legacy/raw/` for mechanic-specific receipts, or `docs/traces/` for generic movement evidence |
 | audit candidate list or cleanup evidence | `docs/audits/` |
 | future registry design note | `docs/registry/` |
 | generated compact machine surface | `generated/` |
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ Current root-surface cleanup evidence lives in [docs/audits/ROOT_SURFACE_AUDIT_2
 - a key README or civic surface collapses into a few long lines
 - tables, code fences, or numbered paths become hard for humans or agents to parse
 - a technical district gains many files without a local README gate
-- a root file remains after its better home is planted in `docs/audits/`, `docs/registry/`, or `docs/landings/`
+- a root file remains after its better home is planted in `docs/audits/`, `docs/registry/`, `docs/traces/`, or `mechanics/<slug>/legacy/raw/`
 
 ### Constitutional drift
 

GLOSSARY.md

@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ A thin index should stay small enough to remain an entrance, not become a second
 
 A historical seed manifest or wave receipt that records what a wave planted, why it belonged, and how it was validated.
 
-Landing receipts belong under `docs/landings/` or a more specific district, not at repository root.
+Landing receipts belong under the owning `mechanics/<slug>/legacy/raw/` route when a mechanic owns them, or under `docs/traces/` for generic movement evidence. They do not belong at repository root.
 
 ### Audit artifact
 

QUESTBOOK.md

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ in [`relation-shape`](mechanics/questbook/parts/relation-shape/README.md). A
 
 - `AOA-Q-0003` - shape the next contour after foundation proof without widening too early.
 - `AOA-Q-0005` - define the second RPG reflection wave for skills as abilities and techniques as feats.
-- Root-surface follow-through - after [docs/ROOT_SURFACE_LAW](docs/ROOT_SURFACE_LAW.md) lands, decide whether more wave landing receipts should remain in `docs/` root or move into `docs/landings/` as a later structural pass.
+- Root-surface follow-through - after [docs/ROOT_SURFACE_LAW](docs/ROOT_SURFACE_LAW.md) lands, keep mechanic receipts in the owning `mechanics/<slug>/legacy/raw/` route and generic movement evidence in `docs/traces/`.
 - Registry v2 follow-through - use [docs/registry/REGISTRY_V2_NOTES](docs/registry/REGISTRY_V2_NOTES.md) only after schema, validator, generated registry, and prose migration are planned together.
 
 ## Blocked / reanchor

README.md

@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ Treat this contour as a map of planted law, contracts, candidates, and proof sur
 | Contour | Current status | Do not read as | Primary surfaces |
 |---|---|---|---|
 | Public center map | landed public route and registry v1 | a claim that the center owns every object it names | `README.md`, `CHARTER.md`, `ECOSYSTEM_MAP.md`, `docs/LAYERS.md`, `docs/FEDERATION_RULES.md`, generated registry capsules |
-| Root surface governance | civic root law, completed root-leak cleanup route, district gates, link/shape hygiene, and AGENTS mesh guardrails | permission to hide history, delete without review, or turn district READMEs or AGENTS cards into doctrine catalogs | `docs/ROOT_SURFACE_LAW.md`, `docs/LINK_AND_SHAPE_HYGIENE_PROTOCOL.md`, `docs/AGENTS_MESH_PROTOCOL.md`, `docs/audits/ROOT_SURFACE_AUDIT_2026_04_24.md`, `scripts/validate_hygiene_suite.py`, local district READMEs and AGENTS cards |
+| Root surface governance | civic root law, completed root-leak cleanup route, district gates, link/shape hygiene, and AGENTS mesh guardrails | permission to hide history, delete without review, or turn district READMEs or AGENTS cards into doctrine catalogs | `docs/ROOT_SURFACE_LAW.md`, `docs/guardrails/LINK_AND_SHAPE_HYGIENE_PROTOCOL.md`, `docs/guardrails/AGENTS_MESH_PROTOCOL.md`, `docs/audits/ROOT_SURFACE_AUDIT_2026_04_24.md`, `scripts/validate_hygiene_suite.py`, local district READMEs and AGENTS cards |
 | Method and growth | center doctrine and cross-owner route | a new lineage layer or center-owned method corpus | `mechanics/method-growth/docs/METHOD_SPINE.md`, `mechanics/method-growth/docs/REVIEWABLE_GROWTH_REFINERY.md`, `mechanics/method-growth/docs/CANDIDATE_LINEAGE_CROSSWALK.md`, `mechanics/method-growth/docs/OWNER_LANDING_AND_PRUNING.md` |
 | Recurrence and continuity | bounded return to valid anchors | ambient continuity, hidden memory, or runtime autonomy | `mechanics/recurrence/docs/RECURRENCE_PRINCIPLE.md`, `mechanics/recurrence/docs/SELF_AGENCY_CONTINUITY.md`, `mechanics/recurrence/docs/COMPONENT_REFRESH_LAW.md` |
 | Agon | center-owned pre-protocol law, move language, owner binding, handoffs, arena grammar, consequence candidates, and threshold restraint | live arena execution, assistant contestant authority, live rank mutation, or canon write authority | `mechanics/agon/README.md`, `mechanics/agon/PARTS.md`, `mechanics/agon/OWNER_REQUESTS.md`, and `mechanics/agon/PROVENANCE.md` |

config/agents_mesh.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "schema_version": "aoa_agents_mesh_v1",
-  "authority_ref": "docs/AGENTS_MESH_PROTOCOL.md",
+  "authority_ref": "docs/guardrails/AGENTS_MESH_PROTOCOL.md",
   "root_agents_ref": "AGENTS.md",
   "route_contract_ref": "docs/START_HERE_ROUTE_CONTRACT.md",
   "generated_ref": "generated/agents_mesh.min.json",
@@ -254,12 +254,12 @@
       ]
     },
     {
-      "path": "docs/agent-lane/AGENTS.md",
-      "scope": "docs/agent-lane/",
+      "path": "docs/guardrails/AGENTS.md",
+      "scope": "docs/guardrails/",
       "kind": "docs-thematic-district-card",
       "status": "required",
       "owner": "Agents-of-Abyss",
-      "notes": "Thematic docs district card.",
+      "notes": "Local guardrail card for docs cleanup, hygiene, generated freshness, and AGENTS mesh surfaces.",
       "required_headings": [
         "# AGENTS.md",
         "## Applies to",
@@ -287,23 +287,6 @@
         "## Closeout"
       ]
     },
-    {
-      "path": "docs/landings/AGENTS.md",
-      "scope": "docs/landings/",
-      "kind": "docs-thematic-district-card",
-      "status": "required",
-      "owner": "Agents-of-Abyss",
-      "notes": "Thematic docs district card.",
-      "required_headings": [
-        "# AGENTS.md",
-        "## Applies to",
-        "## Role",
-        "## Read before editing",
-        "## Boundaries",
-        "## Validation",
-        "## Closeout"
-      ]
-    },
     {
       "path": "docs/registry/AGENTS.md",
       "scope": "docs/registry/",
@@ -338,23 +321,6 @@
         "## Closeout"
       ]
     },
-    {
-      "path": "docs/postmortems/AGENTS.md",
-      "scope": "docs/postmortems/",
-      "kind": "docs-thematic-district-card",
-      "status": "required",
-      "owner": "Agents-of-Abyss",
-      "notes": "Thematic docs district card.",
-      "required_headings": [
-        "# AGENTS.md",
-        "## Applies to",
-        "## Role",
-        "## Read before editing",
-        "## Boundaries",
-        "## Validation",
-        "## Closeout"
-      ]
-    },
     {
       "path": "docs/traces/AGENTS.md",
       "scope": "docs/traces/",
@@ -372,57 +338,6 @@
         "## Closeout"
       ]
     },
-    {
-      "path": "docs/agon/AGENTS.md",
-      "scope": "docs/agon/",
-      "kind": "docs-thematic-district-card",
-      "status": "required",
-      "owner": "Agents-of-Abyss",
-      "notes": "Thematic docs district card.",
-      "required_headings": [
-        "# AGENTS.md",
-        "## Applies to",
-        "## Role",
-        "## Read before editing",
-        "## Boundaries",
-        "## Validation",
-        "## Closeout"
-      ]
-    },
-    {
-      "path": "docs/experience/AGENTS.md",
-      "scope": "docs/experience/",
-      "kind": "docs-thematic-district-card",
-      "status": "required",
-      "owner": "Agents-of-Abyss",
-      "notes": "Thematic docs district card.",
-      "required_headings": [
-        "# AGENTS.md",
-        "## Applies to",
-        "## Role",
-        "## Read before editing",
-        "## Boundaries",
-        "## Validation",
-        "## Closeout"
-      ]
-    },
-    {
-      "path": "docs/legacy/AGENTS.md",
-      "scope": "docs/legacy/",
-      "kind": "docs-thematic-district-card",
-      "status": "required",
-      "owner": "Agents-of-Abyss",
-      "notes": "Thematic docs district card.",
-      "required_headings": [
-        "# AGENTS.md",
-        "## Applies to",
-        "## Role",
-        "## Read before editing",
-        "## Boundaries",
-        "## Validation",
-        "## Closeout"
-      ]
-    },
     {
       "path": "mechanics/AGENTS.md",
       "scope": "mechanics/",