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skills/rapid-convergence/SKILL.md
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skills/rapid-convergence/SKILL.md
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---
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name: Rapid Convergence
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description: Achieve 3-4 iteration methodology convergence (vs standard 5-7) when clear baseline metrics exist, domain scope is focused, and direct validation is possible. Use when you have V_meta baseline ≥0.40, quantifiable success criteria, retrospective validation data, and generic agents are sufficient. Enables 40-60% time reduction (10-15 hours vs 20-30 hours) without sacrificing quality. Prediction model helps estimate iteration count during experiment planning. Validated in error recovery (3 iterations, 10 hours, V_instance=0.83, V_meta=0.85).
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allowed-tools: Read, Grep, Glob
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---
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# Rapid Convergence
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**Achieve methodology convergence in 3-4 iterations through structural optimization, not rushing.**
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> Rapid convergence is not about moving fast - it's about recognizing when structural factors naturally enable faster progress without sacrificing quality.
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---
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## When to Use This Skill
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Use this skill when:
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- 🎯 **Planning new experiment**: Want to estimate iteration count and timeline
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- 📊 **Clear baseline exists**: Can quantify current state with V_meta(s₀) ≥ 0.40
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- 🔍 **Focused domain**: Can describe scope in <3 sentences without ambiguity
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- ✅ **Direct validation**: Can validate with historical data or single context
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- ⚡ **Time constraints**: Need methodology in 10-15 hours vs 20-30 hours
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- 🧩 **Generic agents sufficient**: No complex specialization needed
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**Don't use when**:
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- ❌ Exploratory research (no established metrics)
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- ❌ Multi-context validation required (cross-language, cross-domain testing)
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- ❌ Complex specialization needed (>10x speedup from specialists)
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- ❌ Incremental pattern discovery (patterns emerge gradually, not upfront)
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---
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## Quick Start (5 minutes)
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### Rapid Convergence Self-Assessment
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Answer these 5 questions:
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1. **Baseline metrics exist**: Can you quantify current state objectively? (YES/NO)
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2. **Domain is focused**: Can you describe scope in <3 sentences? (YES/NO)
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3. **Validation is direct**: Can you validate without multi-context deployment? (YES/NO)
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4. **Prior art exists**: Are there established practices to reference? (YES/NO)
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5. **Success criteria clear**: Do you know what "done" looks like? (YES/NO)
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**Scoring**:
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- **4-5 YES**: ⚡ Rapid convergence (3-4 iterations) likely
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- **2-3 YES**: 📊 Standard convergence (5-7 iterations) expected
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- **0-1 YES**: 🔬 Exploratory (6-10 iterations), establish baseline first
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---
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## Five Rapid Convergence Criteria
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### Criterion 1: Clear Baseline Metrics (CRITICAL)
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**Indicator**: V_meta(s₀) ≥ 0.40
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**What it means**:
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- Domain has established metrics (error rate, test coverage, build time)
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- Baseline can be measured objectively in iteration 0
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- Success criteria can be quantified before starting
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**Example (Bootstrap-003)**:
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```
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✅ Clear baseline:
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- 1,336 errors quantified via MCP queries
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- 5.78% error rate calculated
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- Clear MTTD/MTTR targets
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- Result: V_meta(s₀) = 0.48
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Outcome: 3 iterations, 10 hours
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```
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**Counter-example (Bootstrap-002)**:
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```
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❌ No baseline:
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- No existing test coverage data
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- Had to establish metrics first
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- Fuzzy success criteria initially
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- Result: V_meta(s₀) = 0.04
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Outcome: 6 iterations, 25.5 hours
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```
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**Impact**: High V_meta baseline means:
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- Fewer iterations to reach 0.80 threshold (+0.40 vs +0.76)
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- Clearer iteration objectives (gaps are obvious)
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- Faster validation (metrics already exist)
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See [reference/baseline-metrics.md](reference/baseline-metrics.md) for achieving V_meta ≥ 0.40.
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### Criterion 2: Focused Domain Scope (IMPORTANT)
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**Indicator**: Domain described in <3 sentences without ambiguity
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**What it means**:
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- Single cross-cutting concern
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- Clear boundaries (what's in vs out of scope)
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- Well-established practices (prior art)
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**Examples**:
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```
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✅ Focused (Bootstrap-003):
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"Reduce error rate through detection, diagnosis, recovery, prevention"
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❌ Broad (Bootstrap-002):
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"Develop test strategy" (requires scoping: what tests? which patterns? how much coverage?)
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```
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**Impact**: Focused scope means:
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- Less exploration needed
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- Clearer convergence criteria
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- Lower risk of scope creep
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### Criterion 3: Direct Validation (IMPORTANT)
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**Indicator**: Can validate without multi-context deployment
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**What it means**:
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- Retrospective validation possible (use historical data)
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- Single-context validation sufficient
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- Proxy metrics strongly correlate with value
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**Examples**:
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```
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✅ Direct (Bootstrap-003):
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Retrospective validation via 1,336 historical errors
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No deployment needed
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Confidence: 0.79
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❌ Indirect (Bootstrap-002):
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Multi-context validation required (3 project archetypes)
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Deploy and test in each context
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Adds 2-3 iterations
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```
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**Impact**: Direct validation means:
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- Faster iteration cycles
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- Less complexity
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- Easier V_meta calculation
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See [../retrospective-validation](../retrospective-validation/SKILL.md) for retrospective validation technique.
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### Criterion 4: Generic Agent Sufficiency (MODERATE)
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**Indicator**: Generic agents (data-analyst, doc-writer, coder) sufficient
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**What it means**:
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- No specialized domain knowledge required
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- Tasks are analysis + documentation + simple automation
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- Pattern extraction is straightforward
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**Examples**:
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```
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✅ Generic sufficient (Bootstrap-003):
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Generic agents analyzed errors, documented taxonomy, created scripts
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No specialization overhead
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3 iterations
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⚠️ Specialization needed (Bootstrap-002):
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coverage-analyzer (10x speedup)
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test-generator (200x speedup)
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6 iterations (specialization added 1-2 iterations)
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```
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**Impact**: No specialization means:
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- No iteration delay for agent design
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- Simpler coordination
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- Faster execution
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### Criterion 5: Early High-Impact Automation (MODERATE)
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**Indicator**: Top 3 automation opportunities identified by iteration 1
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**What it means**:
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- Pareto principle applies (20% patterns → 80% impact)
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- High-frequency, high-impact patterns obvious
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- Automation feasibility clear (no R&D risk)
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**Examples**:
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```
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✅ Early identification (Bootstrap-003):
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3 tools preventing 23.7% of errors identified in iteration 0-1
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Clear automation path
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Rapid V_instance improvement
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⚠️ Gradual discovery (Bootstrap-002):
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8 test patterns emerged gradually over 6 iterations
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Pattern library built incrementally
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```
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**Impact**: Early automation means:
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- Faster V_instance improvement
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- Clearer path to convergence
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- Less trial-and-error
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---
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## Convergence Speed Prediction Model
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### Formula
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```
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Predicted Iterations = Base(4) + Σ penalties
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Penalties:
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- V_meta(s₀) < 0.40: +2 iterations
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- Domain scope fuzzy: +1 iteration
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- Multi-context validation: +2 iterations
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- Specialization needed: +1 iteration
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- Automation unclear: +1 iteration
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```
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### Worked Examples
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**Bootstrap-003 (Error Recovery)**:
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```
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Base: 4
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V_meta(s₀) = 0.48 ≥ 0.40: +0 ✓
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Domain scope clear: +0 ✓
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Retrospective validation: +0 ✓
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Generic agents sufficient: +0 ✓
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Automation identified early: +0 ✓
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---
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Predicted: 4 iterations
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Actual: 3 iterations ✅
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```
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**Bootstrap-002 (Test Strategy)**:
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```
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Base: 4
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V_meta(s₀) = 0.04 < 0.40: +2 ✗
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Domain scope broad: +1 ✗
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Multi-context validation: +2 ✗
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Specialization needed: +1 ✗
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Automation unclear: +0 ✓
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---
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Predicted: 10 iterations
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Actual: 6 iterations ✅ (model conservative)
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```
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**Interpretation**: Model predicts upper bound. Actual often faster due to efficient execution.
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See [examples/prediction-examples.md](examples/prediction-examples.md) for more cases.
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---
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## Rapid Convergence Strategy
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If criteria indicate 3-4 iteration potential, optimize:
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### Pre-Iteration 0: Planning (1-2 hours)
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**1. Establish Baseline Metrics**
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- Identify existing data sources
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- Define quantifiable success criteria
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- Ensure automatic measurement
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**Example**: `meta-cc query-tools --status error` → 1,336 errors immediately
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**2. Scope Domain Tightly**
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- Write 1-sentence definition
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- List explicit in/out boundaries
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- Identify prior art
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**Example**: "Error detection, diagnosis, recovery, prevention for meta-cc"
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**3. Plan Validation Approach**
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- Prefer retrospective (historical data)
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- Minimize multi-context overhead
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- Identify proxy metrics
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**Example**: Retrospective validation with 1,336 historical errors
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### Iteration 0: Comprehensive Baseline (3-5 hours)
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**Target: V_meta(s₀) ≥ 0.40**
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**Tasks**:
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1. Quantify current state thoroughly
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2. Create initial taxonomy (≥70% coverage)
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3. Document existing practices
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4. Identify top 3 automations
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**Example (Bootstrap-003)**:
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- Analyzed all 1,336 errors
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- Created 10-category taxonomy (79.1% coverage)
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- Documented 5 workflows, 5 patterns, 8 guidelines
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- Identified 3 tools preventing 23.7% errors
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- Result: V_meta(s₀) = 0.48 ✅
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**Time**: Spend 3-5 hours here (saves 6-10 hours overall)
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### Iteration 1: High-Impact Automation (3-4 hours)
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**Tasks**:
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1. Implement top 3 tools
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2. Expand taxonomy (≥90% coverage)
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3. Validate with data (if possible)
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4. Target: ΔV_instance = +0.20-0.30
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**Example (Bootstrap-003)**:
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- Built 3 tools (515 LOC, ~150-180 lines each)
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- Expanded taxonomy: 10 → 12 categories (92.3%)
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- Result: V_instance = 0.55 (+0.27) ✅
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### Iteration 2: Validate and Converge (3-4 hours)
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**Tasks**:
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1. Test automation (real/historical data)
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2. Complete taxonomy (≥95% coverage)
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3. Check convergence:
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- V_instance ≥ 0.80?
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- V_meta ≥ 0.80?
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- System stable?
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**Example (Bootstrap-003)**:
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- Validated 23.7% error prevention
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- Taxonomy: 95.4% coverage
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- Result: V_instance = 0.83, V_meta = 0.85 ✅ CONVERGED
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**Total time**: 10-13 hours (3 iterations)
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---
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## Anti-Patterns
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### 1. Premature Convergence
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**Symptom**: Declare convergence at iteration 2 with V ≈ 0.75
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**Problem**: Rushed without meeting 0.80 threshold
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**Solution**: Rapid convergence = 3-4 iterations (not 2). Respect quality threshold.
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### 2. Scope Creep
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**Symptom**: Adding categories/patterns in iterations 3-4
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**Problem**: Poorly scoped domain
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**Solution**: Tight scoping in README. If scope grows, re-plan or accept slower convergence.
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### 3. Over-Engineering Automation
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**Symptom**: Spending 8+ hours on complex tools
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**Problem**: Complexity delays convergence
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**Solution**: Keep tools simple (1-2 hours, 150-200 lines). Complex tools are iteration 3-4 work.
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### 4. Unnecessary Multi-Context Validation
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**Symptom**: Testing 3+ contexts despite obvious generalizability
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**Problem**: Validation overhead delays convergence
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**Solution**: Use judgment. Error recovery is universal. Test strategy may need multi-context.
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---
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## Comparison Table
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| Aspect | Standard | Rapid |
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|--------|----------|-------|
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| **Iterations** | 5-7 | 3-4 |
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| **Duration** | 20-30h | 10-15h |
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| **V_meta(s₀)** | 0.00-0.30 | 0.40-0.60 |
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| **Domain** | Broad/exploratory | Focused |
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| **Validation** | Multi-context often | Direct/retrospective |
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| **Specialization** | Likely (1-3 agents) | Often unnecessary |
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| **Discovery** | Incremental | Most patterns early |
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| **Risk** | Scope creep | Premature convergence |
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**Key**: Rapid convergence is about **recognizing structural factors**, not rushing.
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---
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## Success Criteria
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Rapid convergence pattern successfully applied when:
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1. **Accurate prediction**: Actual iterations within ±1 of predicted
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2. **Quality maintained**: V_instance ≥ 0.80, V_meta ≥ 0.80
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3. **Time efficiency**: Duration ≤50% of standard convergence
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4. **Artifact completeness**: Deliverables production-ready
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5. **Reusability validated**: ≥80% transferability achieved
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**Bootstrap-003 Validation**:
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- ✅ Predicted: 3-4, Actual: 3
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- ✅ Quality: V_instance=0.83, V_meta=0.85
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- ✅ Efficiency: 10h (39% of Bootstrap-002's 25.5h)
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- ✅ Artifacts: 13 categories, 8 workflows, 3 tools
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- ✅ Reusability: 85-90%
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---
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## Related Skills
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**Parent framework**:
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- [methodology-bootstrapping](../methodology-bootstrapping/SKILL.md) - Core OCA cycle
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**Complementary acceleration**:
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- [retrospective-validation](../retrospective-validation/SKILL.md) - Fast validation
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- [baseline-quality-assessment](../baseline-quality-assessment/SKILL.md) - Strong iteration 0
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**Supporting**:
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- [agent-prompt-evolution](../agent-prompt-evolution/SKILL.md) - Agent stability
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---
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## References
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**Core guide**:
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- [Rapid Convergence Criteria](reference/criteria.md) - Detailed criteria explanation
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- [Prediction Model](reference/prediction-model.md) - Formula and examples
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- [Strategy Guide](reference/strategy.md) - Iteration-by-iteration tactics
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**Examples**:
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- [Bootstrap-003 Case Study](examples/error-recovery-3-iterations.md) - Rapid convergence
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- [Bootstrap-002 Comparison](examples/test-strategy-6-iterations.md) - Standard convergence
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---
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**Status**: ✅ Validated | Bootstrap-003 | 40-60% time reduction | No quality sacrifice
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