## Context The current multi-agent session protocol (CEO ↔ CTO via `#vpe-cto-approvals`) has a handoff gap: once the CEO authorizes an action, there is no enforcement that the CTO confirms completion before the session ends. The gap was exposed on 2026-04-07 when the CTO received commit authorization but the session ended before posting a confirmation — leaving 5 uncommitted files and the field trial status ambiguous. The fix is purely process/documentation: CLAUDE.md and README.md are the authoritative session protocol documents. Both must be updated with explicit rules. No code changes are required. ## Goals / Non-Goals **Goals:** - Require the CTO to post a completion confirmation to `#vpe-cto-approvals` after every CEO-authorized action - Require the CTO to post an end-of-session summary before closing - Establish clear vocabulary: "authorized" ≠ "completed" in all status tracking - Make these rules durable by codifying them in CLAUDE.md (session protocol) and README.md (CTO responsibilities) **Non-Goals:** - Automated enforcement (no code hooks, no CI checks) - Changes to the V&V process or the `#vv-cto-resolution` channel protocol - Changes to any service, API, or database ## Decisions **Decision 1: CLAUDE.md is the primary update target.** CLAUDE.md is loaded on every new Claude session via the project instructions. Any protocol rule placed there is enforced at session startup. README.md Section 4.3 is secondary — it documents CTO responsibilities but is not loaded automatically. Rationale: rules that need to be followed must live where they are read. **Decision 2: Completion confirmation is a mandatory, structured message.** Rather than leaving format open-ended, the confirmation must include: action completed, outcome (success/failure), commit hash (if applicable), and resulting state. This makes it scannable and unambiguous. Alternative considered: free-form text — rejected because it creates ambiguity about whether the action actually completed. **Decision 3: Session-end summary is required before closing.** The CTO must post a structured "end of session" summary any time a session ends with pending or in-progress work. Format: completed this session / pending (awaiting execution) / requires CEO action next session. Alternative considered: optional/best-effort — rejected because the exact failure mode was "session ended without summary." **Decision 4: Authorized vs. Done as explicit vocabulary.** Status messages must use unambiguous language. "Authorized" means CEO gave permission. "Committed," "deployed," or "completed" means the action was executed and confirmed. These terms must not be used interchangeably. ## Risks / Trade-offs - **Risk**: CTO session ends abruptly (crash, timeout) before posting session-end summary → **Mitigation**: CEO checks `#vpe-cto-approvals` at startup for the last CTO message; if it is an authorization request (not a completion), treat the action as pending. - **Risk**: Rules in CLAUDE.md may drift from README.md over time → **Mitigation**: Tasks explicitly update both files; future changes to session protocol must update both. - **Trade-off**: Adding required messages increases CTO session overhead slightly. Accepted — the cost of a missed commit or ambiguous state is higher. ## Migration Plan 1. Update CLAUDE.md — add CTO Session Completion Protocol section 2. Update README.md Section 4.3 — add session-end checklist and completion confirmation to CTO responsibilities 3. No rollback needed — documentation-only change