5.4 Developer Handbook Before Coding

Go To Phase 0 Implementation Principles

The Phase 0 Developer Handbook precedes coding.

Reviewers must not accept Phase 0 implementation code, generated code, scripts, configuration artifacts, or repository contributions until the Developer Handbook defines the applicable development conventions. The handbook must define file-header rules, generated-file markings, naming conventions, coding style, logging conventions, exception-handling patterns, repository workflow, review expectations, and traceability conventions.

This principle prevents implementation work from starting before the team agrees on the development discipline. It also ensures that Phase 0 code supports architectural traceability from the beginning rather than adding it after implementation.