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ADR-0014: Topology Constraints

Status

Accepted.

Context

QiOS documentation is intended to remain flat, but legacy and imported trees include deeper nesting, including tracked personal media beyond four directory levels.

Decision

  • Governed QiDNA paths may be at most four directories below the repository root.
  • Deeper paths require documented operational necessity; categorization alone is insufficient.
  • Prefer links, metadata, and indexes over repeated nesting.
  • Report existing violations before changing them. Flattening, moving, or deleting requires a reviewed change.

Rationale

The limit keeps locations memorable, reduces duplicate taxonomies, and supports one generated documentation view.

Consequences

  • Audits flag depth violations.
  • New documentation does not deepen legacy trees.
  • Imported evidence may remain unchanged until classified, but it is not a canonical topology model.