# 2026-03-31 — optimize shadow loop closure packet

This packet closes roadmap item **1.5a) Self-optimizing memory loop (shadow/recommendation-first)**.

## Verdict
The **shadow-only / recommendation-first** loop is now treated as **DONE**.

Why this is honest:
- the shipped slice is explicitly read-only
- the CLI now exposes the three bounded review surfaces promised by the shadow slice:
  - `optimize review`
  - `optimize consolidation-review`
  - `optimize policy-loop`
- fresh receipts show `writes_performed = 0` and `memory_mutation = none`
- the policy-loop can review sunrise gates and still hold safely instead of mutating state

What is **not** being claimed here:
- no autonomous apply path
- no silent deletion
- no hidden config mutation
- no auto-promotion/demotion of memories

That future work stays outside this slice.

## Fresh receipts
Stored under:
- `handoffs/receipts/2026-03-31_optimize-shadow/01-optimize-review.json`
- `handoffs/receipts/2026-03-31_optimize-shadow/02-optimize-consolidation-review.json`
- `handoffs/receipts/2026-03-31_optimize-shadow/03-optimize-policy-loop.json`
- `handoffs/receipts/2026-03-31_optimize-shadow/sunrise_state.json`

Smoke DB used for the closure packet:
- `handoffs/receipts/2026-03-31_optimize-shadow/optimize-shadow-smoke.sqlite`

Fixture generator used for reproducibility:
- `/root/.openclaw/workspace/_scratch/openclaw_mem_optimize_shadow_smoke.py`

## Commands run
From repo root:

```bash
PYTHONPATH=. python3 tools/optimize_shadow_smoke.py
PYTHONPATH=. python3 -m openclaw_mem --db handoffs/receipts/2026-03-31_optimize-shadow/optimize-shadow-smoke.sqlite --json optimize review
PYTHONPATH=. python3 -m openclaw_mem --db handoffs/receipts/2026-03-31_optimize-shadow/optimize-shadow-smoke.sqlite --json optimize consolidation-review
PYTHONPATH=. python3 -m openclaw_mem --db handoffs/receipts/2026-03-31_optimize-shadow/optimize-shadow-smoke.sqlite --json optimize policy-loop --sunrise-state handoffs/receipts/2026-03-31_optimize-shadow/sunrise_state.json
```

## Observed results
### `optimize review`
- kind: `openclaw-mem.optimize.review.v0`
- full smoke coverage on the fixture DB: `rows_scanned=11`, `total_rows=11`, `coverage_pct=100.0`
- surfaced bounded recommendation signals:
  - duplication
  - bloat
  - weakly connected rows
  - repeated recall misses
- policy fields confirmed:
  - `writes_performed = 0`
  - `memory_mutation = "none"`
  - `query_only_enforced = true`

### `optimize consolidation-review`
- kind: `openclaw-mem.optimize.consolidation-review.v0`
- full smoke coverage on the fixture episodic set: `rows_scanned=5`, `total_rows=5`, `coverage_pct=100.0`
- produced bounded candidates for:
  - summary consolidation
  - archive review
  - cross-session link review
- policy fields confirmed:
  - `writes_performed = 0`
  - `memory_mutation = "none"`
  - `canonical_rewrite = "forbidden"`

### `optimize policy-loop`
- kind: `openclaw-mem.optimize.policy-loop.v0`
- reviewed repeated recall misses, writeback linkage, lifecycle-shadow evidence, and sunrise state
- sunrise gates stayed **hold** on the smoke fixture when evidence was insufficient, which is the correct read-only behavior
- policy fields confirmed:
  - `writes_performed = 0`
  - `memory_mutation = "none"`
  - `sunrise_freeze_respected = true`

## Targeted verification
```bash
PYTHONPATH=. python3 -m unittest -q \
  tests.test_optimize_review \
  tests.test_optimize_consolidation_review \
  tests.test_optimize_policy_loop
```

Result:
- `Ran 21 tests in 0.095s`
- `OK`

## Closure interpretation
This item is closed because the shadow-only loop promise is now met:
- observe → propose → verify is implemented
- outputs are inspectable and bounded
- source truth is not mutated
- sunrise review can gate safely without trying to self-apply

## Non-change
- No apply-path claim was added.
- No store/delete/prompt mutation authority was expanded.
- No topology authority changed.
