**Verdict:** APPROVED

**Round:** 2  
**Fixed this round:** Finding #1 (AC3 incomplete - beta/SKILL.md not updated with cache-bust instruction)
**Branch CI state:** No CI configured for CDD spec changes
**Merge instruction:** `git merge cycle/296` into main with `Closes #296`

## R2 Fix Verification

**Finding #1 Resolution:** ✅ **RESOLVED**
- **Issue:** AC3 incomplete: beta/SKILL.md not updated with cache-bust instruction
- **Fix:** Commit `6a420c56` adds identical cache-bust instruction to beta/SKILL.md line 66
- **Verification:** Cache-bust instruction now present in both alpha/SKILL.md (line 116) and beta/SKILL.md (line 66) exactly as AC3 specified
- **Text:** "**Issue-edit cache-bust:** when polling sees a `gamma-clarification.md` add or update on the cycle branch, re-read the issue body via `gh issue view {N}` (or MCP equivalent) to get the live version, not cached state."

## §2.0 Issue Contract

### AC Coverage
| # | AC | In diff? | Status | Notes |
|---|----|----------|--------|-------|
| 1 | CDD.md §Tracking — issue-edit cache-bust rule | yes | **Met** | Line 263 in CDD.md adds rule with worked example from #283 |
| 2 | gamma/SKILL.md §2.5 — γ-side procedure | yes | **Met** | Line 359 adds cache-bust procedure to commit clarification before signaling |
| 3 | alpha/SKILL.md and beta/SKILL.md intake step | yes | **Met** | Both files updated: α line 116, β line 66 |
| 4 | CDD.md §1.4 / §4.2 — γ session branch named | yes | **Met** | Line 750 adds γ session branch rule with cleanup requirement |
| 5 | operator/SKILL.md δ branch-cleanup rule | yes | **Met** | Line 214 adds explicit branch cleanup including γ session branches |
| 6 | Worked example | yes | **Met** | CDD.md references cycle #283 commit `2f83095` as worked example |

### Named Doc Updates
| Doc / File | In diff? | Status | Notes |
|------------|----------|--------|-------|
| CDD.md | yes | **Updated** | Cache-bust rule + γ session branch rule added |
| gamma/SKILL.md | yes | **Updated** | Cache-bust procedure added to §2.5 |
| alpha/SKILL.md | yes | **Updated** | Cache-bust instruction added to intake step |
| beta/SKILL.md | yes | **Updated** | Cache-bust instruction added in R2 fix |
| operator/SKILL.md | yes | **Updated** | Branch cleanup rule added |

### CDD Artifact Contract
| Artifact | Required? | Present? | Notes |
|----------|-----------|----------|-------|
| self-coherence.md | no | no | Small-change cycle, no α readiness signal needed |
| gamma-clarification.md | reference | n/a | Referenced as example from #283, not required for this cycle |

### Active Skill Consistency
| Skill | Required by | Loaded? | Applied? | Notes |
|-------|-------------|---------|----------|-------|
| CDD Tier 1 | Issue "Tier 3 skills" section | yes | yes | CDD self-modification within Tier 1 scope |

## §2.1 Diff and Context Inspection

**Multi-format parity (2.1.2):** ✅ Cache-bust rule consistently described across CDD.md, alpha/SKILL.md, gamma/SKILL.md

**Stale-path validation (2.1.4):** ✅ No paths moved/renamed/deleted

**Branch naming (2.1.5):** ✅ `cycle/296` follows project convention

**Authority-surface conflict (2.1.8):** ✅ No conflicts - cache-bust instruction properly placed in both CDD.md and beta/SKILL.md per AC3

**Module-truth audit (2.1.9):** ✅ No other issue-edit patterns require unification

**Architecture leverage (2.1.11):** ✅ Systematic solution using existing branch-polling infrastructure rather than ad-hoc fix

**Process overhead (2.1.12):** ✅ Minimal overhead (one file per issue edit) prevents real cache invalidation failures

**Design constraints (2.1.13):** ✅ All three active constraints preserved:
- Branch-polling rule leveraged (not changed)
- cycle/{N} remains canonical branch  
- γ edit authority preserved with procedural side-effect

## §2.2 Architecture Check

**Active:** Yes - touches CDD skill files (skill separation surface)

| Check | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Reason to change preserved | yes | Each skill retains single purpose (α/β/γ/operator remain distinct) |
| Policy above detail preserved | yes | No policy changes - purely procedural additions to existing roles |
| Interfaces remain truthful | n/a | No interface changes |
| Registry model remains unified | n/a | No registry changes |
| Source/artifact/installed boundary preserved | n/a | No build/install changes |
| Runtime surfaces remain distinct | yes | Skills remain skills - no surface blurring |
| Degraded paths visible and testable | yes | Cache-bust rule improves visibility of stale cache detection |

## Findings

None - all R1 findings resolved.

## Notes

The cache-bust mechanism is now complete and properly implemented across all required surfaces. The fix in commit `6a420c56` adds the missing β instruction to beta/SKILL.md exactly as specified in AC3, bringing the implementation into full compliance with the issue requirements.

The issue-edit cache-bust pattern is sound: γ writes gamma-clarification.md on cycle branch edits, roles polling see the SHA transition and re-fetch issue body from live source. This prevents the cache invalidation failures seen in #283.

All acceptance criteria are fully met. Ready for merge.

## §2.0.0 Contract Integrity

| Check | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Status truth preserved | yes | Implementation correctly labeled as spec additions (not runtime enforcement) |
| Canonical sources/paths verified | yes | All referenced paths exist: PRA, gamma-closeout.md, skill files |
| Scope/non-goals consistent | yes | Non-goals exclude unimplemented items (harness rebuild, naming enforcement) |
| Constraint strata consistent | n/a | No hard gates or exception-backed fields |
| Exceptions field-specific/reasoned | n/a | No exceptions defined |
| Path resolution base explicit | yes | Cache-bust rule clearly specifies `.cdd/unreleased/{N}/` and `cycle/{N}` context |
| Proof shape adequate | yes | Worked example from cycle #283 commit `2f83095` demonstrates pattern |
| Cross-surface projections updated | yes | All promised surfaces updated: CDD.md, alpha/gamma/operator SKILL.md |
| No witness theater / false closure | yes | Real git SHA transition mechanism, not just prose rules |
| PR body matches branch files | n/a | No PR body (branch-only cycle) |
