Files
odysseus/docs/maintainers
Léo 0276e15f6e docs(maintainers): define the feature proposal workflow (#7000)
The handbook says substantial features need Product Owner approval
before implementation, but not how a proposal gets there, what counts
as substantial, or what happens when no answer comes. Add the full
workflow: triage within 7 days, a decision brief, four product labels,
a lazy-consensus timeout that only applies to big-but-reversible work,
and definitions for every judgement call (small, big, reversible, new
direction, fits ROADMAP, objection, recorded decision).

The Feature Request form gets three optional fields for the brief, and
the PR template, CONTRIBUTING and triage point at the workflow.
2026-11-09 11:23:38 +01:00
..

Odysseus maintainer handbook

Odysseus maintainers are trusted to act, not to wait for permission. The default is individual responsibility; additional review is required when the risk warrants it.

This handbook records the project's maintainer governance and gives reviewers a reusable process. It complements CONTRIBUTING.md and SECURITY.md; it does not replace the PR template, repository protections, or product decisions.

At a glance

Area Working rule
Product direction Pewds is the Product Owner
New feature Feature Request issue; big, new-direction or hard-to-undo features need a recorded Product Owner decision (workflow)
Ordinary, reversible maintainer PR Self-merge allowed after appropriate validation and applicable repository checks
External contribution Maintainer review required
High-risk change At least one independent, qualified maintainer review
Access Need-to-have, least privilege, separately granted per system
Release A designated Release Maintainer owns preparation and publish
Inactivity Access review after 2 months without activity, notice, or response
Documentation Repository Markdown is canonical

These are governance rules, not guarantees that a GitHub permission or branch-protection setting permits a particular action. Respect the stronger applicable automated gate.

Start here

Accountability

Maintainers own the changes they take on, including validation, regression prevention, follow-up, and rollback when needed. Roles describe responsibilities, not a hierarchy of technical approval.

Important product-direction decisions go through the Product Owner. Maintainers retain responsibility for feasibility, implementation, maintainability, and security.

AI coding or review agents can help collect evidence, test hypotheses, and prepare changes, but they are not the qualified human reviewer required for high-risk changes. A maintainer must inspect and accept the evidence.