# Writing Style Specification
- [Purpose](#purpose)
- [Requirements](#requirements)
- [`writing-style:an-existing-document-converts-when-edited` — An existing document converts when edited](#writing-stylean-existing-document-converts-when-edited--an-existing-document-converts-when-edited)
- [`writing-style:the-documentation-block-routes-to-the-style` — The documentation block routes to the style](#writing-stylethe-documentation-block-routes-to-the-style--the-documentation-block-routes-to-the-style)
- [`writing-style:no-delivered-gate-judges-prose` — No delivered gate judges prose](#writing-styleno-delivered-gate-judges-prose--no-delivered-gate-judges-prose)
- [`writing-style:sources-name-the-revision-read` — Sources name the revision read](#writing-stylesources-name-the-revision-read--sources-name-the-revision-read)
- [`writing-style:the-style-lives-in-one-document` — The style lives in one document](#writing-stylethe-style-lives-in-one-document--the-style-lives-in-one-document)
- [Unenforced](#unenforced)
## Purpose
Rules governing how a project adopts and reaches the writing style. The style itself lives in `method/writing-style.md` and is available through `sdd method writing-style`. This spec does not restate its prose rules. An instance that already adopted `SPEC-simple-english.md` keeps that instance-owned copy, and `sdd` stops maintaining it.
## Requirements
### `writing-style:an-existing-document-converts-when-edited` — An existing document converts when edited
When an author edits a document already in the tree, the author MUST apply the writing style to that document and MUST NOT sweep untouched documents.
#### Scenario: A project adopts the style with an existing corpus
- GIVEN a corpus written before the project adopted the style
- WHEN an author edits one document
- THEN that document converts and every untouched document stays as it was
Verify: reviewer confirms each document the change edits follows the chapter, and that the change converts no untouched document
### `writing-style:the-documentation-block-routes-to-the-style` — The documentation block routes to the style
The documentation block MUST route an author to `sdd method writing-style` in one line and MUST NOT carry the style's rules.
#### Scenario: An agent prepares to author prose
- GIVEN a root author-instructions file with the managed documentation block
- WHEN the agent reads the block
- THEN one line names the command and no line restates a prose rule
Verify: reviewer confirms the managed documentation block carries one routing line and no writing rule
### `writing-style:no-delivered-gate-judges-prose` — No delivered gate judges prose
The distribution MUST NOT deliver a gate that judges prose against the writing style, and it MUST leave that judgment to review.
#### Scenario: An instance contains prose written under another convention
- GIVEN an existing project that installs this documentation method
- WHEN its delivered gates run
- THEN no gate rejects the project's prose for differing from the writing style
Verify: reviewer confirms the delivered gate registry contains no prose-style judge
### `writing-style:sources-name-the-revision-read` — Sources name the revision read
Where the style merges an external source, the style MUST name that source and the exact revision read.
#### Scenario: An upstream source changes after the style is authored
- GIVEN a source whose current branch moved
- WHEN a reader traces one of the style's layers
- THEN the recorded revision identifies the source text the author read
Verify: reviewer confirms each source row names a repository and a full revision
### `writing-style:the-style-lives-in-one-document` — The style lives in one document
The project MUST keep the writing rules in `method/writing-style.md` alone and MUST route every other surface to that document without restating them.
#### Scenario: A template needs to tell an author how to write prose
- GIVEN a template that provides author instructions
- WHEN the template adds writing-style guidance
- THEN it names `sdd method writing-style` instead of copying any rule
Verify: reviewer confirms every writing-style route points to the method chapter and carries no copied rule
## Unenforced
These rules require review because structure alone cannot prove author intent.
| `writing-style:an-existing-document-converts-when-edited` | Each edited document follows the chapter, and no untouched document converted |
| `writing-style:the-documentation-block-routes-to-the-style` | The block carries one route and no rule text |
| `writing-style:no-delivered-gate-judges-prose` | No delivered gate judges the writing style |
| `writing-style:sources-name-the-revision-read` | Every source has a repository and full revision |
| `writing-style:the-style-lives-in-one-document` | No other surface restates the rules |