Lifecycle

Append, mutate, consolidate

The layer determines how memory is allowed to change. Some records are living documents; others are evidence that should only gain corrections.

Append vs mutate matrix

Layer	Default	Rule
Identity	Mutate with evidence	Append only when preserving correction history matters.
Semantic	Mutate stable fact	Append dated evidence in episodic before major changes.
Episodic	Append by default	Never silently rewrite event history.
Procedural	Mutate current runbook	Link major process shifts to decisions.
Reference	Mutate verification metadata	Append source change notes when provenance matters.
Working	Mutate or delete	Consolidate before expiry.
Decisions	Supersede	Do not rewrite accepted rationale.

Janitor

Find drift.Compare current semantic, procedural, and identity notes against episodic evidence and decisions.

Resolve conflict.Pick the winning record, create corrections, and mark superseded decisions when needed.

Validate links.Check cross-layer links, reference locations, and INDEX.md entries.

Record telemetry.Log routing corrections so the next router learns from actual failures.