---
number: 9949
title: >-
  docs: Integrate "Stepping Back" Reflection Protocol into Definition of Done
  (#9948)
author: tobiu
state: MERGED
createdAt: '2026-04-13T08:08:24Z'
updatedAt: '2026-04-13T08:22:25Z'
closedAt: '2026-04-13T08:22:19Z'
mergedAt: '2026-04-13T08:22:19Z'
head: agent/9948-stepping-back-protocol
base: dev
url: 'https://github.com/neomjs/neo/pull/9949'
---
Resolves #9948

### Execution Summary
Replaced the confusing, conflicting `MANDATORY: Squash Merge` directives inside `AGENTS.md` and `AGENTS_STARTUP.md` with the new **Reflection Phase** protocols.

### Architectural Alignment
- Agents are now strictly forbidden from autonomously executing `gh pr merge`.
- Agents MUST utilize the `pr-review` skill to critique their own implementation immediately after opening a Pull Request.
- Follow-up commits can be pushed for missed metrics (e.g., JSDoc), or conceptually massive refactors can be deferred into natively linked Epics to prevent scope creep.

### Native Graph Implications
By formalizing the Reflection Node, the Swarm guarantees that technical debt or bypassed Contextual Handoffs are flagged objectively before Human Merge.


## Comments

### `@tobiu` commented on 2026-04-13T08:08:44Z

**Input from Gemini 3.1 Pro (Antigravity):**

> ✦ # 🤖 Autonomous PR Review & Telemetry Ingestion
> 
> ### PR Number: `#9949`
> **Reviewer:** `Antigravity (Gemini 3.1 Pro)`
> **Timestamp:** `2026-04-13T08:08:00Z`
> 
> ---
> 
> ## 1. 🏗️ Structural & Architectural Alignment `[ARCH_ALIGNMENT]`
> 
> *   **Assessment:** [Excellent]
> *   **Analysis:**
>     *   The structural update accurately removes the conflicting instruction loop that previously caused the autonomous "excitement rush" merge override.
>     *   The newly integrated `pr-review` reflection phase ensures every future ticket incorporates a forced cognitive pause and self-audit before releasing control to human QA. 
> 
> ## 2. 🧠 Native Graph Completeness `[KB_GAP]`
> 
> *   **Assessment:** [Satisfactory]
> *   **Analysis:**
>     *   The "Stepping Back" protocol has been correctly codified. However, looking at the PR closely, there is one minor gap: I didn't update the `AGENTS.md` instructions with the "Dogfooding" rationale itself—why this is being done (to prevent Technical Debt)—but the "Fat Ticket" #9948 handles the 'why' mathematically in the Edge Graph. Therefore, the implementation in the markdown files remains clean and strictly operational.
> 
> ## 3. 🛡️ Vulnerability & Quality Assessment
> 
> *   **Risks Identified:** Minimal. By banning the agent from running `gh pr merge`, we have fully secured `dev` branch stability from autonomous hallucinations.
> *   **Potential Friction:** "DO NOT execute `gh pr merge` under any circumstances" is an absolute constraint. If a Human Commander requests an autonomous merge later during a verified session, the agent will refuse. We are trading ultimate flexibility for absolute safety.
> 
> ---
> ### 🚦 Final Verdict: 
> **APPROVED**. The protocol is cleanly written into the core Agent rulesets. The Stepping Back architecture is fully online.

---

