Codebase Housekeeping Protocol

A Codebase Housekeeping Protocol is a maintenance protocol that defines systematic cleanup procedures for software codebase health.

• AKA: Code Cleanup Protocol, Repository Maintenance Standard, Housekeeping SOP, Code Hygiene Protocol.
• Context:
  • It can typically specify housekeeping operations including documentation verification, dead code removal, and dependency updates.
  • It can typically enforce quality standards through linting rules, formatting checks, and style compliance.
  • It can typically automate cleanup tasks through script execution and CI/CD integration.
  • It can typically validate housekeeping results through health metrics and cleanliness scores.
  • It can typically schedule maintenance windows for light housekeeping versus spring cleaning operations.
  • It can often support dry-run modes to preview changes before actual modification.
  • It can often generate housekeeping reports showing improvement metrics and remaining issues.
  • It can often integrate with version control systems to track changes and enable rollback.
  • It can range from being a Light Codebase Housekeeping Protocol to being a Deep Codebase Housekeeping Protocol, depending on its intervention depth.
  • It can range from being a Daily Codebase Housekeeping Protocol to being a Quarterly Codebase Housekeeping Protocol, depending on its execution frequency.
  • It can range from being a Safe Codebase Housekeeping Protocol to being an Aggressive Codebase Housekeeping Protocol, depending on its risk tolerance.
  • It can range from being a Selective Codebase Housekeeping Protocol to being a Comprehensive Codebase Housekeeping Protocol, depending on its scope coverage.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Python-Based Codebase Housekeeping Protocols, such as:
    • Black and isort Protocol, enforcing code formatting and import sorting.
    • Ruff Cleanup Protocol, combining multiple linters and formatters.
  • Documentation-Focused Codebase Housekeeping Protocols, such as:
    • README Validation Protocol, checking documentation completeness and link validity.
    • Docstring Coverage Protocol, ensuring function documentation and parameter descriptions.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Ad-Hoc Cleanup, which lacks systematic approach.
  • Emergency Hotfix, which lacks maintenance focus.
  • Feature Development, which lacks housekeeping priority.
• See: CLI Agent Template Framework, Development Session Management System, Software Maintenance Best Practice, Code Quality Assurance, Repository Health Management, Continuous Integration Protocol, Technical Debt Management.

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