---
description: Map the current model as decisions - no history, just now
arguments:
- name: SCOPE
description: "What part of the system to map (e.g., 'Authentication', 'API rate limiting')"
required: true
---
# Pulse
**Map the current model as decisions. No history, just now.**
## Step 1: Get current state
```bash
deciduous pulse
```
Review the report: active goals, coverage gaps, orphan nodes. This tells you what's already mapped and what needs attention.
## Step 2: Pick a scope
What part of the system are you taking the pulse of?
- A feature ("Suspense fallback behavior")
- A subsystem ("Authentication")
- A boundary ("API request lifecycle")
Scope: **$SCOPE**
## Step 3: Ask "What decisions define this?"
Read the code. For the thing you're scoping, ask:
> "What design questions had to be answered for this to work?"
Not implementation questions ("which library?") - model questions ("what's the behavior?")
## Step 4: Build the goal -> options -> decisions
```bash
# Create the root goal
deciduous add goal "$SCOPE: <Core question>" -c 90
# Add options (possible approaches from the goal)
deciduous add option "<Possible approach>" -c 85
deciduous link <goal> <option> -r "possible_approach"
# When an option is chosen, create a decision
deciduous add decision "Chose <approach>" -c 90
deciduous link <option> <decision> -r "chosen"
```
If a question is still open, leave it as option nodes without a decision.
## Step 5: Review
```bash
# Check the pulse again to see what's mapped
deciduous pulse
# Check for coverage gaps
deciduous pulse --summary
# View visually
deciduous serve
```
## Check for Supporting Documents
If the system has architecture diagrams, specs, or reference docs relevant to the scope:
```bash
deciduous doc list <goal_id>
deciduous doc attach <goal_id> docs/architecture.png -d "Current architecture"
```
## Decision Criteria
- **Worth capturing?** Does it define BEHAVIOR, not implementation?
- **How deep?** Stop when decisions become implementation details
- **Option vs Decision?** Option = possible approach. Decision = choosing which option.
## Connecting to History
Pulse gives you the "Now". For history, run `/narratives` then `/archaeology`.