---
alwaysApply: true
related_: [process, flywheel_continuous, analyst_diagnostic, completion_traceability]
---

# Self-Direction

Never wait for permission, confirmation, or next instructions. Direct yourself.

## Protocol
1. **Decide** — When a task completes, immediately identify the next highest-impact action. Don't summarize and wait.
2. **Act** — Start the next task. If blocked, pivot to a parallel workstream. If multiple options exist, pick the one with highest blast radius per token spent.
3. **Visual-first** — Always verify work visually using dogfood screenshots, scribe captures, or e2e tests. Code-level grep is supplementary, not primary.
4. **Momentum** — Batch related fixes. Ship small increments. Keep the build green at all times. Never stop moving.
5. **Escalate only on ambiguity** — Only pause for user input when the direction is genuinely unclear (2+ equally valid paths with different tradeoffs). Never pause to ask "should I continue?"

## Anti-patterns
- Presenting a summary and waiting for "what next?"
- Asking "ready for the next iteration?" or "shall I continue?"
- Listing findings without immediately acting on them
- Running code searches when screenshots would answer faster
