feat: create AI-first principles specification library

Create comprehensive technical specification library for all 44 AI-first
development principles with complete infrastructure:

- README.md: Complete index, usage guidelines, contribution standards
- TEMPLATE.md: Detailed specification template with all required sections
- PROGRESS.md: Tracking system for 44 specifications with priority order
- cross-reference-index.md: Relationship mapping between principles
- principles/technology/31-idempotency-by-design.md: Reference implementation
  with 5 good/bad example pairs, 7 related principles, 12-item checklist

Directory structure:
- principles/people/ (6 principles)
- principles/process/ (13 principles)
- principles/technology/ (18 principles)
- principles/governance/ (7 principles)

Status: 1/44 specifications complete (microsoft#31 as quality reference)

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude <[email protected]>

Author: michaeljabbour

ai-first-principles/PROGRESS.md

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+# AI-First Principles Specification Progress
+
+**Overall Status**: 1 of 44 specifications complete (2.3%)
+
+**Last Updated**: 2025-09-30
+
+## Summary by Category
+
+| Category | Complete | In Progress | Not Started | Total |
+|----------|----------|-------------|-------------|-------|
+| People | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
+| Process | 0 | 0 | 13 | 13 |
+| Technology | 1 | 0 | 17 | 18 |
+| Governance | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
+
+## Detailed Progress
+
+### People (0/6 complete)
+
+- [ ] 01 - Small AI-first working groups
+- [ ] 02 - Strategic human touchpoints only
+- [ ] 03 - Prompt engineering as core skill
+- [ ] 04 - Test-based verification over code review
+- [ ] 05 - Conversation-driven development
+- [ ] 06 - Human escape hatches always available
+
+### Process (0/13 complete)
+
+- [ ] 07 - Regenerate, don't edit
+- [ ] 08 - Contract-first everything
+- [ ] 09 - Tests as the quality gate
+- [ ] 10 - Git as safety net
+- [ ] 11 - Continuous validation with fast feedback
+- [ ] 12 - Incremental processing as default
+- [ ] 13 - Parallel exploration by default
+- [ ] 14 - Context management as discipline
+- [ ] 15 - Git-based everything
+- [ ] 16 - Docs define, not describe
+- [ ] 17 - Prompt versioning and testing
+- [ ] 18 - Contract evolution with migration paths
+- [ ] 19 - Cost and token budgeting
+
+### Technology (1/18 complete)
+
+- [ ] 20 - Self-modifying AI-first codebase
+- [ ] 21 - Limited and domain-specific by design
+- [ ] 22 - Separation of concerns through layered virtualization
+- [ ] 23 - Protected self-healing kernel
+- [ ] 24 - Long-running agent processes
+- [ ] 25 - Simple interfaces by design
+- [ ] 26 - Stateless by default
+- [ ] 27 - Disposable components everywhere
+- [ ] 28 - CLI-first design
+- [ ] 29 - Tool ecosystems as extensions
+- [ ] 30 - Observability baked in
+- [x] 31 - **Idempotency by design** ✨ *Reference Implementation*
+- [ ] 32 - Error recovery patterns built in
+- [ ] 33 - Graceful degradation by design
+- [ ] 34 - Feature flags as deployment strategy
+- [ ] 35 - Least-privilege automation with scoped permissions
+- [ ] 36 - Dependency pinning and security scanning
+- [ ] 37 - Declarative over imperative
+
+### Governance & Operations (0/7 complete)
+
+- [ ] 38 - Access control and compliance as first-class
+- [ ] 39 - Metrics and evaluation everywhere
+- [ ] 40 - Knowledge stewardship and institutional memory
+- [ ] 41 - Adaptive sandboxing with explicit approvals
+- [ ] 42 - Data governance and privacy controls
+- [ ] 43 - Model lifecycle management
+- [ ] 44 - Self-serve recovery with known-good snapshots
+
+## Completion Milestones
+
+- [x] Infrastructure setup (README, TEMPLATE, directory structure)
+- [x] Reference implementation (#31 - Idempotency by Design)
+- [ ] 10% complete (5 specifications)
+- [ ] 25% complete (11 specifications)
+- [ ] 50% complete (22 specifications)
+- [ ] 75% complete (33 specifications)
+- [ ] 100% complete (44 specifications)
+- [ ] Cross-reference index complete
+- [ ] All quality reviews complete
+
+## Priority Order for Next Specifications
+
+Based on dependencies and importance for AI-first development, suggested completion order:
+
+### High Priority (Foundation Principles)
+1. **#07 - Regenerate, Don't Edit** - Core to AI-first workflow
+2. **#08 - Contract-First Everything** - Enables modular development
+3. **#09 - Tests as the Quality Gate** - Essential for validation
+4. **#26 - Stateless by Default** - Foundation for reliability
+5. **#32 - Error Recovery Patterns** - Complements idempotency
+
+### Medium Priority (Enablers)
+6. **#10 - Git as Safety Net** - Critical for safe experimentation
+7. **#27 - Disposable Components** - Enables regeneration
+8. **#25 - Simple Interfaces by Design** - Reduces complexity
+9. **#28 - CLI-First Design** - Standard interaction pattern
+10. **#23 - Protected Self-Healing Kernel** - System integrity
+
+### Lower Priority (Important but Build on Others)
+- Remaining Process principles (#11-19)
+- Remaining Technology principles (#20-24, #29-30, #33-37)
+- People principles (#01-06)
+- Governance principles (#38-44)
+
+## Quality Checklist for Each Specification
+
+Before marking a specification as complete, verify:
+
+- [ ] Plain-language definition is clear and concise
+- [ ] "Why This Matters" section addresses AI-first specifically
+- [ ] At least 4 implementation approaches provided
+- [ ] 3-5 Good/Bad example pairs with working code
+- [ ] 3-6 related principles with relationship explanations
+- [ ] 5-7 common pitfalls with concrete examples
+- [ ] Tools organized by category with specific features
+- [ ] 8-12 actionable checklist items
+- [ ] All metadata fields filled in
+- [ ] Cross-references are valid and bidirectional
+- [ ] Examples are syntactically correct and realistic
+- [ ] Status and version information updated
+
+## Notes
+
+- **Reference Implementation**: Principle #31 (Idempotency by Design) serves as the quality standard for all specifications
+- **Cross-References**: As each spec is completed, update related specs' cross-reference sections
+- **Living Document**: This tracker should be updated after completing each specification
+- **Quality Over Speed**: Better to have fewer high-quality specs than many incomplete ones
+
+## Contributing
+
+When working on a specification:
+
+1. Copy `TEMPLATE.md` to the appropriate directory
+2. Follow the structure exactly as shown in the template
+3. Reference #31 for quality standards
+4. Update this PROGRESS.md file when complete
+5. Update related specifications' cross-reference sections
+6. Update `cross-reference-index.md` with new relationships

ai-first-principles/README.md

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+# AI-First Development Principles - Technical Specifications
+
+## Overview
+
+This directory contains comprehensive technical specifications for all 44 AI-First Development Architecture Principles. Each principle has its own detailed document with concrete examples, implementation guidance, anti-patterns, and cross-references to related principles.
+
+**Purpose**: Provide both developers and AI agents with detailed, actionable guidance on implementing AI-first development practices. These specs bridge the gap between high-level principles and day-to-day implementation decisions.
+
+## Quick Start
+
+### For Developers
+
+1. Browse the [Principle Index](#principle-index) below
+2. Read the principle spec that applies to your current task
+3. Review the Good/Bad examples for your scenario
+4. Use the Implementation Checklist before committing code
+5. Follow cross-references to understand related principles
+
+### For AI Agents
+
+These specifications are designed for AI consumption:
+- Each spec is self-contained and can be used independently
+- Code examples are syntactically correct and ready to adapt
+- Cross-references help navigate the principle system
+- Checklists provide concrete validation criteria
+- Anti-patterns help avoid common failure modes
+
+## Principle Index
+
+### People (6 principles)
+
+1. [Small AI-first working groups](principles/people/01-small-ai-first-working-groups.md)
+2. [Strategic human touchpoints only](principles/people/02-strategic-human-touchpoints.md)
+3. [Prompt engineering as core skill](principles/people/03-prompt-engineering-as-core-skill.md)
+4. [Test-based verification over code review](principles/people/04-test-based-verification.md)
+5. [Conversation-driven development](principles/people/05-conversation-driven-development.md)
+6. [Human escape hatches always available](principles/people/06-human-escape-hatches.md)
+
+### Process (13 principles)
+
+7. [Regenerate, don't edit](principles/process/07-regenerate-dont-edit.md)
+8. [Contract-first everything](principles/process/08-contract-first-everything.md)
+9. [Tests as the quality gate](principles/process/09-tests-as-quality-gate.md)
+10. [Git as safety net](principles/process/10-git-as-safety-net.md)
+11. [Continuous validation with fast feedback](principles/process/11-continuous-validation-fast-feedback.md)
+12. [Incremental processing as default](principles/process/12-incremental-processing-default.md)
+13. [Parallel exploration by default](principles/process/13-parallel-exploration-default.md)
+14. [Context management as discipline](principles/process/14-context-management-discipline.md)
+15. [Git-based everything](principles/process/15-git-based-everything.md)
+16. [Docs define, not describe](principles/process/16-docs-define-not-describe.md)
+17. [Prompt versioning and testing](principles/process/17-prompt-versioning-testing.md)
+18. [Contract evolution with migration paths](principles/process/18-contract-evolution-migration.md)
+19. [Cost and token budgeting](principles/process/19-cost-token-budgeting.md)
+
+### Technology (18 principles)
+
+20. [Self-modifying AI-first codebase](principles/technology/20-self-modifying-ai-first-codebase.md)
+21. [Limited and domain-specific by design](principles/technology/21-limited-domain-specific-design.md)
+22. [Separation of concerns through layered virtualization](principles/technology/22-layered-virtualization.md)
+23. [Protected self-healing kernel](principles/technology/23-protected-self-healing-kernel.md)
+24. [Long-running agent processes](principles/technology/24-long-running-agent-processes.md)
+25. [Simple interfaces by design](principles/technology/25-simple-interfaces-design.md)
+26. [Stateless by default](principles/technology/26-stateless-by-default.md)
+27. [Disposable components everywhere](principles/technology/27-disposable-components.md)
+28. [CLI-first design](principles/technology/28-cli-first-design.md)
+29. [Tool ecosystems as extensions](principles/technology/29-tool-ecosystems-extensions.md)
+30. [Observability baked in](principles/technology/30-observability-baked-in.md)
+31. [**Idempotency by design**](principles/technology/31-idempotency-by-design.md) ✨ *Example Spec*
+32. [Error recovery patterns built in](principles/technology/32-error-recovery-patterns.md)
+33. [Graceful degradation by design](principles/technology/33-graceful-degradation.md)
+34. [Feature flags as deployment strategy](principles/technology/34-feature-flags-deployment.md)
+35. [Least-privilege automation with scoped permissions](principles/technology/35-least-privilege-automation.md)
+36. [Dependency pinning and security scanning](principles/technology/36-dependency-pinning-security.md)
+37. [Declarative over imperative](principles/technology/37-declarative-over-imperative.md)
+
+### Governance & Operations (7 principles)
+
+38. [Access control and compliance as first-class](principles/governance/38-access-control-compliance.md)
+39. [Metrics and evaluation everywhere](principles/governance/39-metrics-evaluation-everywhere.md)
+40. [Knowledge stewardship and institutional memory](principles/governance/40-knowledge-stewardship-memory.md)
+41. [Adaptive sandboxing with explicit approvals](principles/governance/41-adaptive-sandboxing.md)
+42. [Data governance and privacy controls](principles/governance/42-data-governance-privacy.md)
+43. [Model lifecycle management](principles/governance/43-model-lifecycle-management.md)
+44. [Self-serve recovery with known-good snapshots](principles/governance/44-self-serve-recovery-snapshots.md)
+
+## How to Use These Specifications
+
+### During Design
+
+When architecting a new feature or system:
+1. Identify which principles apply to your design decisions
+2. Read those principle specs in full
+3. Review Related Principles sections to understand dependencies
+4. Apply the Implementation Checklists to your design
+5. Document which principles guided your choices
+
+### During Implementation
+
+When writing code:
+1. Keep relevant principle specs open for reference
+2. Use the Good/Bad examples as patterns to follow or avoid
+3. Check your code against the Implementation Checklist
+4. Add comments referencing which principles you're following
+
+### During Code Review
+
+When reviewing code (human or AI):
+1. Use checklists as review criteria
+2. Identify anti-patterns from the Common Pitfalls sections
+3. Suggest improvements based on Good examples
+4. Ensure cross-cutting concerns (like idempotency, observability) are addressed
+
+### When Something Goes Wrong
+
+When debugging issues:
+1. Check relevant Common Pitfalls sections
+2. Verify implementation against checklists
+3. Review Related Principles for systemic issues
+4. Update the principle spec if you discover new pitfalls
+
+## File Structure
+
+```
+ai-first-principles/
+├── README.md                          # This file
+├── TEMPLATE.md                        # Template for creating new specs
+├── PROGRESS.md                        # Tracking completion status
+├── cross-reference-index.md           # Map of principle relationships
+└── principles/
+    ├── people/                        # Human-focused principles
+    ├── process/                       # Workflow and methodology principles
+    ├── technology/                    # Technical implementation principles
+    └── governance/                    # Policy and operations principles
+```
+
+## Contributing
+
+### Creating a New Specification
+
+1. Copy `TEMPLATE.md`
+2. Follow the naming convention: `{number}-{kebab-case-name}.md`
+3. Fill in all sections with specific, actionable content
+4. Include 3-5 pairs of Good/Bad code examples
+5. Add cross-references to 3-6 related principles
+6. Create 8-12 checklist items
+7. Update `PROGRESS.md` and `cross-reference-index.md`
+
+### Quality Standards
+
+Each specification must have:
+- Clear plain-language definition (1-2 sentences)
+- AI-specific rationale (why this matters for AI agents)
+- 4-6 concrete implementation approaches
+- 3-5 Good/Bad example pairs with real, runnable code
+- 3-6 related principles with relationship explanations
+- 5-7 common pitfalls with concrete examples
+- Tools organized by category with specific features noted
+- 8-12 actionable checklist questions
+
+See [Principle #31 - Idempotency by Design](principles/technology/31-idempotency-by-design.md) as the reference implementation.
+
+## Cross-Reference System
+
+Principles are interconnected. The [cross-reference index](cross-reference-index.md) shows:
+- **Dependencies**: Principles that require others
+- **Enablers**: Principles that make others possible
+- **Synergies**: Principles that work better together
+- **Conflicts**: Principles that trade off against each other
+- **Complements**: Principles addressing related concerns
+
+Always check cross-references when implementing a principle to understand the full context.
+
+## Maintenance
+
+### Version Control
+
+This specification library is versioned:
+- **v1.0**: Initial 44 principle specs
+- Updates tracked in git history
+- Breaking changes require major version bump
+
+### Updates
+
+When updating a principle spec:
+1. Verify all cross-references remain valid
+2. Update related principle specs if relationships change
+3. Add new tools/frameworks as they emerge
+4. Document new pitfalls as they're discovered
+5. Keep examples current with modern practices
+
+### Feedback
+
+Found an error? Have a better example? Discovered a new pitfall?
+- Open an issue describing the problem
+- Provide specific suggestions for improvement
+- Include concrete examples if proposing new content
+
+## Related Documentation
+
+- [AMPLIFIER_SELF_IMPROVEMENT_PHILOSOPHY.md](../AMPLIFIER_SELF_IMPROVEMENT_PHILOSOPHY.md) - High-level principles overview
+- [IMPLEMENTATION_PHILOSOPHY.md](../ai_context/IMPLEMENTATION_PHILOSOPHY.md) - Ruthless simplicity guidelines
+- [MODULAR_DESIGN_PHILOSOPHY.md](../ai_context/MODULAR_DESIGN_PHILOSOPHY.md) - Bricks and studs architecture
+
+---
+
+**Status**: In Progress (1/44 principles completed)
+**Last Updated**: 2025-09-30
+**Target Completion**: TBD