CSC – Bypass & Re-entry Rules¶
A system-level document governing safe skipping, looping, and re-entry within the Cognitive Signal Chain (CSC)
1. Purpose¶
This document defines how CSC may be traversed non-linearly without collapsing cognitive modes.
Its purpose is to:
- allow speed and pragmatism without structural decay
- make skipping explicit rather than accidental
- define safe ways to loop back when failures are discovered late
This is a control document, not a recommendation to bypass rigor.
2. Core Principle¶
CSC is sequential by default, but revisitable by design.
Non-linearity is permitted only when:
- the cognitive cost is understood
- the risk incurred is named
- the re-entry point is explicit
3. Bypass vs Re-entry (Definitions)¶
- Bypass: Skipping a pedal entirely for a given pass
- Re-entry: Returning to an earlier pedal after downstream work
These are distinct operations and must not be conflated.
4. Global Bypass Rules¶
A pedal may be bypassed only if all of the following are true:
- The bypass is intentional and named
- The reason for bypass is documented
- The expected risk is acknowledged
Example:
“Bypassing Sensemaking GPT because the failure is already bounded; risk: missing emergent patterns.”
Silent or habitual bypassing is considered CSC misuse.
5. Safe Bypass Matrix¶
| Pedal | Can Be Bypassed? | Typical Justification | Primary Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensemaking GPT | Yes | Known failure domain | Blind spots |
| Assumption Excavator GPT | Yes | Assumptions already explicit | Hidden premises |
| System Design Lens GPT | Rarely | Trivial or disposable artifact | Naive system |
| Red Team / Misuse GPT | Yes | Low-stakes context | Fragile system |
| Translation GPT | Yes | Personal-only use | Miscommunication |
This matrix is descriptive, not permissive.
6. Re-entry Triggers¶
Re-entry into an earlier pedal is required when:
- Red Team exposes assumption-level failure → re-enter Assumption Excavator GPT
- Red Team exposes problem misframing → re-enter Sensemaking GPT
- Translation reveals ambiguity or misuse risk → re-enter SDL or Red Team
Re-entry is a sign of system learning, not failure.
7. Re-entry Rules¶
When re-entering:
- Name the trigger explicitly
- Resume at the earliest necessary pedal
- Do not partially apply upstream pedals
Example anti-pattern:
“Let’s just tweak the constraints” without revisiting assumptions.
8. Loop Containment Rule¶
CSC permits loops, but forbids mode blending across loops.
Each loop must:
- complete the full cognitive mode of the pedal
- produce updated artifacts
- invalidate or revise prior artifacts explicitly
This prevents infinite oscillation.
9. Timeboxing Guidance¶
To prevent overuse:
- Bypass decisions should be quick
- Re-entry loops should be timeboxed
- Multiple loops indicate upstream ambiguity
Extended looping is a signal to return to Sensemaking GPT.
10. Failure & Misuse Model¶
This document is misused when:
- bypass becomes the default
- re-entry is avoided to protect sunk cost
- loops are used to delay commitment
Common anti-pattern:
Calling iteration what is actually avoidance.
11. Relationship to Other CSC Documents¶
This document:
- complements pedal-level bypass rules
- operationalizes the Pedal Interface Specification
- enables CSC presets and variants
CSC relies on this document to remain flexible without becoming sloppy.
End of CSC Bypass & Re-entry Rules.