# Phase 62: Graph Traversal And Retrieval Foundation - Context

**Gathered:** 2026-04-11
**Status:** Ready for planning
**Mode:** Brownfield continuation after opening `v1.45`

<domain>
## Phase Boundary

Strengthen graph traversal and relation-aware retrieval on top of the bounded
TFIM MVP memory surface.

This phase is about:

- explicit graph traversal
- richer relation-aware retrieval
- better bounded expansion over compiled memory

This phase is not yet about human-facing graph reports or docs closeout.

</domain>

<decisions>
## Implementation Decisions

### Locked decisions

- Build on the existing `consult_l2` / `l2_graph.py` path rather than creating
  a second retrieval subsystem.
- Keep traversal bounded and explicit: no silent whole-graph expansion.
- Preserve the trust boundary that retrieval expands compiled/canonical context
  but does not imply promotion or validation.

### the agent's Discretion

- Exact traversal output shape, as long as relation paths and bounded expansion
  become more explicit and testable.

</decisions>

<canonical_refs>
## Canonical References

- `.planning/REQUIREMENTS.md`
- `research/knowledge-hub/knowledge_hub/l2_graph.py`
- `research/knowledge-hub/knowledge_hub/l2_compiler.py`
- `research/knowledge-hub/tests/test_l2_graph_activation.py`
- `research/knowledge-hub/tests/test_aitp_service.py`
- `research/knowledge-hub/tests/test_aitp_cli_e2e.py`

</canonical_refs>

<specifics>
## Specific Ideas

- add explicit traversal rows/path summaries to `consult_l2`
- make retrieval surface explain which relations produced expanded hits
- keep expansion bounded by requested profile/limit rather than whole-graph walk

</specifics>

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*Phase: 62-graph-traversal-and-retrieval-foundation*
*Context gathered: 2026-04-11 after opening v1.45*
