---
purpose: Project vision, goals, and success criteria (loaded into all AI contexts)
updated: 2024-12-21
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# Project Vision

## The Goal

<!-- One sentence: What does this project achieve? Outcome-shaped, not task-shaped. -->
<!-- Good: "A real-time chat application with persistent message history" -->
<!-- Bad: "Build chat components and API endpoints" -->

## Success Criteria

<!-- How do we know the project is successful? List 3-7 observable outcomes. -->
<!-- Each should be verifiable by using the application, not by checking code. -->

1. **[Criterion 1]** - [Specific, measurable outcome]
2. **[Criterion 2]** - [Specific, measurable outcome]
3. **[Criterion 3]** - [Specific, measurable outcome]

## Target Users

<!-- Who will use this? What do they need? -->

- **Primary:** [User type and their core need]
- **Secondary:** [User type and their core need]

## Core Principles

<!-- Non-negotiable principles that guide all decisions -->

1. **[Principle 1]** - [Explanation]
2. **[Principle 2]** - [Explanation]
3. **[Principle 3]** - [Explanation]

## Current Phase

<!-- Where are we in the project lifecycle? -->

- **Status:** [Discovery / Planning / Implementation / Polish / Maintenance]
- **Milestone:** [Current milestone name]
- **Next Milestone:** [Next milestone name]

## Key Links

<!-- Important references -->

- **Repository:** [URL]
- **Documentation:** [URL]
- **Staging:** [URL]
- **Production:** [URL]

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_Update this file when project direction or phase changes._
_AI uses this to maintain context across sessions and make decisions aligned with project goals._
