# Tether Advanced Evaluation Plan: Gestalt Agent Orchestration
## Vision Under Test
Tether aspires to be more than workflow management. It aims to be **externalized cognition** - a system where:
- Understanding compounds across sessions
- Complex work is decomposed without losing coherence
- The workspace becomes a queryable knowledge graph
- Agents maintain focus under cognitive load
- Emergent patterns reveal themselves through lineage
The first eval tested mechanics. This eval tests **whether tether enables a fundamentally different way of building**.
---
## Advanced Test Categories
### Category F: Deep Lineage Chains
Test whether understanding genuinely compounds across 4+ generations of tasks.
### Category G: Cognitive Load Stress
Test tasks that would be impossible without externalized thinking.
### Category H: Emergent Workspace Patterns
Test whether the workspace reveals insights through structure.
### Category I: Recovery & Resumption
Test blocked tasks, context switches, and picking up prior work.
### Category J: Meta-Evolution
Use tether to evolve tether itself - recursive self-improvement.
### Category K: Parallel Active Work
Test multiple concurrent tasks with shared context.
---
## Test Suite (18 Tasks)
### Category F: Deep Lineage Chains (4 tasks, sequential)
**Goal:** Build a 4-generation lineage chain where each task meaningfully inherits from its parent.
| ID | Prompt | Builds On | Tests |
|----|--------|-----------|-------|
| F1 | "Design a plugin health check system - just the spec, no implementation" | none | Root task, spec-only |
| F2 | "Implement the core health check function from F1's spec" | F1 | Inherits spec, implements core |
| F3 | "Add health check reporting that uses F2's function" | F2 | Inherits impl, adds layer |
| F4 | "Create health check CLI command using F3's reporting" | F3 | 4th generation, full stack |
**Evaluation Focus:**
- Does F4's Thinking Traces reference all ancestors?
- Does understanding genuinely compound or reset each generation?
- Can `ls workspace/` reconstruct the design evolution?
---
### Category G: Cognitive Load Stress (3 tasks)
**Goal:** Tasks that require holding multiple concerns simultaneously - tests whether externalized thinking provides real leverage.
| ID | Prompt | Tests |
|----|--------|-------|
| G1 | "Refactor the assess, anchor, and code-builder agents to share a common constraint validation pattern without breaking their individual behaviors" | Multi-file coherence under constraint |
| G2 | "Analyze the entire tether plugin and produce a dependency graph showing which components reference which others" | Codebase-wide analysis, structured output |
| G3 | "Implement a workspace migration tool that converts old-format workspace files to current format while preserving lineage" | Complex transformation with edge cases |
**Evaluation Focus:**
- Are Thinking Traces used as "working memory"?
- Does Path/Delta keep scope contained despite complexity?
- Is the work completable at all without externalized cognition?
---
### Category H: Emergent Workspace Patterns (3 tasks)
**Goal:** Generate enough workspace artifacts that patterns emerge from the structure itself.
| ID | Prompt | Tests |
|----|--------|-------|
| H1 | "Query the workspace: which tasks touched assess.md and what did they change?" | Workspace as knowledge base |
| H2 | "Identify tasks that exceeded their stated Delta by comparing workspace files to git diff" | Workspace as audit trail |
| H3 | "Generate a 'lessons learned' document by analyzing Thinking Traces across all completed tasks" | Workspace as accumulated wisdom |
**Evaluation Focus:**
- Can the workspace answer questions about past work?
- Do patterns emerge that weren't explicitly encoded?
- Is the naming convention queryable as designed?
---
### Category I: Recovery & Resumption (3 tasks)
**Goal:** Test resilience - blocked tasks, context switches, resuming abandoned work.
| ID | Prompt | Tests |
|----|--------|-------|
| I1 | "Start implementing a complex feature, then mark it blocked with clear blockers documented" | Intentional block, graceful stop |
| I2 | "Resume I1 - address the blockers and complete the task" | Resume from blocked state |
| I3 | "Pick up an old workspace file from eval 1 and extend it with new functionality" | Cross-session continuity |
**Evaluation Focus:**
- Does `_blocked` status preserve enough context to resume?
- Can a new session continue prior work via workspace?
- Is lineage correctly maintained across sessions?
---
### Category J: Meta-Evolution (3 tasks)
**Goal:** Use tether to improve tether - recursive self-improvement through its own methodology.
| ID | Prompt | Tests |
|----|--------|-------|
| J1 | "Use tether to analyze tether's friction points and propose architectural improvements" | Self-reflection |
| J2 | "Implement J1's top recommendation using tether's own workflow" | Self-modification |
| J3 | "Evaluate whether J2's change improved tether by re-running a subset of eval 1 tests" | Self-validation |
**Evaluation Focus:**
- Can tether meaningfully improve itself?
- Does the methodology survive self-application?
- Is there recursive coherence?
---
### Category K: Parallel Active Work (2 tasks)
**Goal:** Test multiple active tasks with potential interaction.
| ID | Prompt | Tests |
|----|--------|-------|
| K1 | "Start two related tasks: one adding a feature to assess, one to anchor - keep both active" | Concurrent anchoring |
| K2 | "Complete both K1 tasks ensuring they integrate correctly" | Parallel resolution |
**Evaluation Focus:**
- Can multiple `_active` files coexist meaningfully?
- Does the workspace support concurrent work?
- Are dependencies between parallel tasks handleable?
---
## Advanced Execution Protocol
### For Deep Lineage (F1-F4)
```
1. Run F1, document workspace file NNN
2. Before F2, verify F1's workspace is complete
3. Run F2, confirm _from-{F1-NNN} suffix
4. Verify F2's Thinking Traces reference F1's findings
5. Repeat for F3, F4
6. Final: Can F4's workspace reconstruct the full design journey?
```
### For Cognitive Load (G1-G3)
```
1. Pre-task: Note complexity level (files involved, constraints)
2. During: Track Thinking Traces growth
3. Post-task: Could this have been done without externalized thinking?
4. Score: Cognitive leverage provided (1-5)
```
### For Emergent Patterns (H1-H3)
```
1. These tasks QUERY existing workspace, don't just create new files
2. Pre-task: What workspace artifacts exist?
3. During: What queries are needed to answer the question?
4. Post-task: Did the workspace naming convention enable the query?
```
### For Recovery (I1-I3)
```
1. I1 must genuinely block (not artificial)
2. I2 must resume from workspace file only (simulate new session)
3. I3 must pick up eval 1 artifact (tests cross-session memory)
```
### For Meta-Evolution (J1-J3)
```
1. J1: Produce concrete, actionable improvements
2. J2: Implement via tether workflow (full orchestration)
3. J3: Re-run A1, A2, B1 to validate improvement
```
---
## Advanced Scoring Rubric
### Lineage Depth Score (F tasks)
| Score | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| 5 | F4 explicitly references F1, F2, F3 findings; understanding visibly compounds |
| 4 | F4 references parent (F3) well, ancestors mentioned |
| 3 | Lineage suffix correct, but inheritance is shallow |
| 2 | Lineage suffix present, but Thinking Traces don't inherit |
| 1 | No meaningful inheritance despite lineage |
### Cognitive Leverage Score (G tasks)
| Score | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| 5 | Task would be impossible without externalized thinking |
| 4 | Task significantly easier with workspace support |
| 3 | Workspace helpful but not essential |
| 2 | Workspace adds overhead without clear benefit |
| 1 | Workspace actively hindered the work |
### Emergent Pattern Score (H tasks)
| Score | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| 5 | Query answered precisely from workspace structure alone |
| 4 | Query answered with workspace + minimal additional exploration |
| 3 | Workspace partially helpful, needed significant extra work |
| 2 | Workspace structure didn't support the query well |
| 1 | Had to ignore workspace and do fresh exploration |
### Recovery Score (I tasks)
| Score | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| 5 | Resumed seamlessly from workspace file, no context loss |
| 4 | Resumed with minor context reconstruction |
| 3 | Workspace provided starting point but needed exploration |
| 2 | Workspace partially helpful, significant rework needed |
| 1 | Easier to start fresh than resume |
### Meta-Coherence Score (J tasks)
| Score | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| 5 | Tether successfully improved itself through its own methodology |
| 4 | Improvement implemented, methodology mostly followed |
| 3 | Partial improvement, some methodology deviation |
| 2 | Attempted improvement, methodology broke down |
| 1 | Could not self-improve through own methodology |
---
## Success Criteria for Vision Validation
### Tether achieves gestalt vision if:
- [ ] F4 workspace explicitly references all 3 ancestors
- [ ] At least 2/3 G tasks score 4+ on cognitive leverage
- [ ] H tasks can query workspace without full re-exploration
- [ ] I2 resumes from workspace alone (no external context)
- [ ] J2 successfully improves tether via tether
- [ ] K tasks demonstrate viable parallel work pattern
### Tether needs fundamental evolution if:
- [ ] Lineage is syntactic only (suffix present but no inheritance)
- [ ] Cognitive leverage score averages below 3
- [ ] Workspace is write-only (can't be queried)
- [ ] Recovery requires full re-exploration
- [ ] Meta-evolution breaks the methodology
- [ ] Parallel work causes workspace conflicts
---
## Execution Sequence
```
Phase 1: Deep Lineage (F1 → F2 → F3 → F4)
├── Build 4-generation chain
└── Evaluate inheritance quality
Phase 2: Cognitive Load (G1, G2, G3)
├── Run complex multi-concern tasks
└── Evaluate cognitive leverage
Phase 3: Emergent Patterns (H1, H2, H3)
├── Query accumulated workspace
└── Evaluate queryability
Phase 4: Recovery (I1 → I2, then I3)
├── Test block/resume cycle
├── Test cross-session continuity
└── Evaluate recovery quality
Phase 5: Meta-Evolution (J1 → J2 → J3)
├── Self-analyze
├── Self-improve
└── Self-validate
Phase 6: Parallel Work (K1 → K2)
├── Concurrent active tasks
└── Evaluate parallel viability
Phase 7: Synthesis
├── Aggregate scores
├── Vision validation checklist
└── Evolution recommendations
```
---
## Key Questions This Eval Answers
1. **Does understanding compound?** (F tasks)
   - Or does each task start fresh despite lineage?
2. **Does externalized thinking provide leverage?** (G tasks)
   - Or is the workspace just documentation overhead?
3. **Is the workspace queryable?** (H tasks)
   - Or is it write-only artifact storage?
4. **Can work survive interruption?** (I tasks)
   - Or is context lost between sessions?
5. **Can tether improve itself?** (J tasks)
   - Or does meta-application break down?
6. **Can parallel work coexist?** (K tasks)
   - Or is sequential the only viable mode?
---
## Output Artifacts
After this evaluation:
1. **Vision Validation Report**
   - Answers to key questions with evidence
   - Score aggregates by category
   - Checklist status
2. **Gestalt Evolution Backlog**
   - Changes needed to achieve vision
   - Prioritized by impact on gestalt capability
3. **Workspace Corpus**
   - All 18+ workspace files as test artifacts
   - Demonstrating (or failing to demonstrate) the vision
---
## Setup Instructions
### Create Test Folders
```bash
cd /Users/cck/CC/plugins/marketplaces/crinzo-plugins/scratch
mkdir -p F1/workspace F2/workspace F3/workspace F4/workspace
mkdir -p G1/workspace G2/workspace G3/workspace
mkdir -p H1/workspace H2/workspace H3/workspace
mkdir -p I1/workspace I2/workspace I3/workspace
mkdir -p J1/workspace J2/workspace J3/workspace
mkdir -p K1/workspace K2/workspace
```
### For H Tasks (Emergent Patterns): Use Eval 1 Artifacts
```bash
# Copy eval 1 workspace files to H task folders
cp scratch/A2/workspace/*.md scratch/H1/workspace/
cp scratch/B1/workspace/*.md scratch/H1/workspace/
cp scratch/B2/workspace/*.md scratch/H1/workspace/
cp scratch/C1/workspace/*.md scratch/H1/workspace/
cp scratch/C2/workspace/*.md scratch/H1/workspace/
cp scratch/D1/workspace/*.md scratch/H1/workspace/
cp scratch/D2/workspace/*.md scratch/H1/workspace/
# Same for H2, H3
cp scratch/H1/workspace/*.md scratch/H2/workspace/
cp scratch/H1/workspace/*.md scratch/H3/workspace/
```
### For I3 (Cross-Session Continuity)
```bash
# Use C1's workspace file as the "old artifact" to extend
cp scratch/C1/workspace/001_parse-workspace-filename_complete.md scratch/I3/workspace/
```
---
## Ready for Execution
This evaluation will determine whether tether is:
- **Mechanical tool** (workflow automation)
- **Cognitive amplifier** (externalized thinking)
- **Gestalt evolution** (fundamentally new way of building)
The first eval validated mechanics work. This eval validates the vision.
---
## Quick Reference: Task Prompts
```
F1: Design a plugin health check system - just the spec, no implementation
F2: Implement the core health check function from F1's spec
F3: Add health check reporting that uses F2's function
F4: Create health check CLI command using F3's reporting
G1: Refactor assess, anchor, code-builder to share common constraint validation pattern
G2: Analyze tether plugin and produce dependency graph
G3: Implement workspace migration tool for old-format to current-format
H1: Query workspace: which tasks touched assess.md and what did they change?
H2: Identify tasks that exceeded Delta by comparing workspace to git diff
H3: Generate lessons learned document from Thinking Traces across all tasks
I1: Start complex feature, then mark blocked with clear blockers
I2: Resume I1 - address blockers and complete
I3: Extend old C1 workspace file with new functionality
J1: Use tether to analyze tether friction and propose improvements
J2: Implement J1's top recommendation via tether workflow
J3: Re-run A1, A2, B1 to validate improvement
K1: Start two related tasks (assess feature + anchor feature) - keep both active
K2: Complete both K1 tasks ensuring integration
```