ktncodes/icm-template/icm-context-scaffold

ICM Context Scaffold

Scan the current ICM workspace and create CONTEXT.md files for any folder that needs one but doesn't have one yet.

Step 1: Locate ICM Root

Find the workspace root by searching upward from the current directory for IDENTITY.md. If no IDENTITY.md exists, report: "No ICM workspace found. Run /icm-scaffold first." and stop.

Step 2: Learn the Format

Read 2–3 existing CONTEXT.md files in the workspace to learn the current format and tone. At minimum read:

• The root CONTEXT.md (Layer 1 routing)
• One subfolder CONTEXT.md if it exists (Layer 2 stage contract or sub-workspace)

Extract the common structure:

• H1 title
• Purpose section (1–3 sentences)
• Folder structure (code block tree)
• Routing table (task → destination → load first)
• Optional: workflow steps, naming conventions, build commands

If no existing CONTEXT.md files exist beyond the root, use this default structure.

Step 3: Scan for Gaps

Walk the workspace tree and identify folders that should have a CONTEXT.md but don't.

Scan these locations:

• Workspace root and immediate children
• Every subfolder mentioned in IDENTITY.md's folder map
• Stage folders (if full mode ICM with physical stages)
• Any folder more than 2 levels deep that contains 3+ files or has its own subfolders

Step 4: Decide What to Skip

A folder does NOT need a CONTEXT.md if any of these are true:

Step 5: Generate CONTEXT.md Content

For each folder that needs a CONTEXT.md:

1. Read existing docs — check for README.md, SPIKE_*.md, PIPELINE.md, package.json, or any file that explains the folder's purpose
2. List contents — enumerate subfolders and key files on disk
3. Infer purpose — from file names, parent CONTEXT.md references, and IDENTITY.md descriptions
4. Determine type — is this a project, a sub-workspace, a study area, a stage folder, or a container?

Template

# [Folder Name]
 
## Purpose
 
[1–3 sentences. What is it, what's its current status, who uses it.]
 
---
 
## Folder Structure
 

[folder-name]/ ├── [file/folder] # [brief description] └── ...

 
---
 
## Routing
 
| Task | Go To | Load First |
|------|-------|------------|
| [common task 1] | [relevant file/folder] | [context file if any] |
| [common task 2] | [relevant file/folder] | [context file if any] |

Content Rules

• Do not invent information. Only describe what exists on disk or is documented in nearby files.
• Match the workspace tone. Read existing CONTEXT.md files and match their style — concise and direct.
• Include build commands if the folder is a project with a package.json, CMakeLists.txt, Makefile, or similar.
• Container folders (folders that just hold other project folders) get a simpler format: purpose + contents table only. No routing needed.
• Stage folders get the stage contract format: Purpose, Inputs, Process, Outputs, Routing.
• Routing tables should have 3–5 rows covering the most common tasks for that folder type.
• Keep each CONTEXT.md under 500 tokens — it's a routing file, not documentation.

Step 6: Create or Report

If argument is `lint`:

• List every folder that needs a CONTEXT.md
• Show what alternative routing exists (if any)
• Do NOT create any files
• End with: "Run /icm-context-scaffold update to create these files."

If argument is `update` (default):

• Create each missing CONTEXT.md
• Do NOT overwrite any existing CONTEXT.md — ever
• Do NOT modify any other files
• After creating, run a quick check: does the parent CONTEXT.md or IDENTITY.md reference this folder? If not, note it: "Also run /icm-sync to update IDENTITY.md routing."

Step 7: Report

Output a summary:

## ICM Context Scaffold Report — YYYY-MM-DD
 
### Created
- [folder/CONTEXT.md] — [one-line description]
 
### Skipped (already has routing)
- [folder] — has [CONTEXT.md | CLAUDE.md | _index.md]
 
### Skipped (not needed)
- [folder] — [reason: empty | data-only | single file | build output | ICM infrastructure]
 
### Needs /icm-sync
- [list of created files whose parent routing doesn't reference them yet]
 
### No gaps found
[if everything is covered]

If in update mode, confirm: "CONTEXT.md files have been created." If in lint mode, confirm: "No files were changed."