xdrs-core 0.55.0 → 0.56.1

package/.xdrs/_core/adrs/principles/skills/write-skill/SKILL.md

@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@ description: >
   Activate this skill when the user asks to create, add, or write a new skill, agent skill, or SKILL.md file.
 metadata:
   author: flaviostutz
-  version: "1.2.0"
-  updated: 2026-09-30
+  version: "1.3.1"
+  updated: 2026-11-04
 ---
 
 ## Overview
 
-Guides the creation of a well-structured skill package by following `_core-adr-policy-003` skill standards, consulting `xdrs-core` for every core element definition, checking existing skills to avoid duplication, and producing a complete SKILL.md ready to activate in VS Code.
+Guides the creation of a well-structured skill package by following `_core-adr-policy-003` skill standards and `_core-adr-policy-023` runtime standards, consulting `xdrs-core` for every core element definition, checking existing skills to avoid duplication, and producing a complete SKILL.md ready to activate in VS Code.
 
 ### Inputs
 
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ Keep every question and intermediate message <100 words and the final summary <1
 
 ### Phase 1: Understand the Skill Goal
 
-1. Read `.xdrs/_core/adrs/principles/003-skill-standards.md` in full to internalize the SKILL.md format and folder layout.
+1. Read `.xdrs/_core/adrs/principles/003-skill-standards.md` and `.xdrs/_core/adrs/principles/023-skill-runtime-standards.md` in full to internalize the SKILL.md format, folder layout and runtime rules.
 2. Read `.xdrs/_core/adrs/principles/001-xdrs-standards.md` in full before defining any core element for the skill package. Treat it as the canonical source for type, scope, subject, naming constraints, and folder placement rules.
 3. Identify what the skill must do, the concrete outcome it should produce, and the exact conditions under which an agent should activate it. Do NOT proceed without a clear goal, outcome, and activation trigger.
 
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ Quick test:
 
 ### Phase 4: Write the SKILL.md
 
-Use the mandatory agentskills format:
+Use the mandatory agentskills format. Omit the optional `metadata.sync-date` unless the user explicitly asks for it for a specific sync purpose (`_core-adr-policy-024`):
 
 ```
 ---
@@ -170,9 +170,9 @@ Rules:
 - The `description` field must state both *what* the skill does and *when* to activate it.
 - Keep the skill task-oriented. It should have a clear starting trigger and a concrete ending result.
 - Mention tools or prerequisites when they are required to complete the task reliably.
-- Declare a "<N words" cap, or "(uncapped: <reason>)", exactly once for every natural-language content the skill generates, per **Generated content caps** in `_core-adr-policy-003`.
+- Declare a "<N words" cap, or "(uncapped: <reason>)", exactly once for every natural-language content the skill generates, per **Generated content caps** in `_core-adr-policy-023`.
 - Do not duplicate content from referenced Policies — link instead.
-- If the skill creates files at runtime (outputs, intermediate files, ad-hoc scripts), restate in `## Instructions`, next to the steps writing them, the parts of **Work files** in `_core-adr-policy-003` it uses: `.tmp/[skill-name]-[YYYYMMDDHHMMSS]/`, `.work/`, `.work/scripts/`, and the final `results-path:` line. This restatement is the one exception to the no-duplication rule, so the skill runs standalone.
+- If the skill creates files at runtime (outputs, intermediate files, ad-hoc scripts), restate in `## Instructions`, next to the steps writing them, the parts of **Work files** in `_core-adr-policy-023` it uses: `.tmp/[skill-name]/[run-name]/` (never files directly in `.tmp/[skill-name]/`), `.work/`, the OS temp dir for throwaway files, and the final `results-path:` line when a run folder is created. This restatement is the one exception to the no-duplication rule, so the skill runs standalone.
 - Do not present the skill itself as policy; mandatory behavior must come from referenced Policies or other policy artifacts.
 - When the skill depends on Policies, make the activation logic and instructions consistent with the Policy metadata so the skill does not operationalize inactive or out-of-scope decisions.
 - For diagrams and non-Markdown assets, follow `_core-adr-policy-020`: prefer plain Markdown tables/lists first, then ASCII art for very simple cases, then Mermaid.js (sequence, state, activity, entity diagrams) for complex ones, then draw.io when Mermaid is insufficient — save as Editable Vector (File → Save As → Editable Vector) and store as `.svg` in the sibling `.assets/` folder.
@@ -193,7 +193,7 @@ Before writing files, verify:
 7. **Required sections**: Does `## Overview` contain nested `### Inputs` (Required/Optional bullets), `### Outputs` (Contents/Changes bullets), and `### Halt Conditions` listing this skill's specific stop triggers — each bullet under 20 words or a single "None"?
 8. **Meta-policy compliance**: Run the shared module at `.xdrs/_core/adrs/principles/skills/.assets/meta-policy-compliance.md`. Substitute `[DOCUMENT]` with `skill`.
 9. **Output caps**: Does every natural-language content the skill generates (files, messages, questions, summaries, external posts) have exactly one "<N words" cap or "(uncapped: <reason>)" marker, with code and structured data unmarked?
-10. **Work files**: If the skill creates files at runtime, do its Instructions restate the default execution dir, `.work/`, `.work/scripts/`, and `results-path:` line from `_core-adr-policy-003`, or an explicit alternative location?
+10. **Work files**: If the skill creates files at runtime, do its Instructions restate the run folder, `.work/`, OS temp dir and `results-path:` rules from `_core-adr-policy-023`, or an explicit alternative location?
 
 If any check fails, revise before continuing.
 
@@ -261,6 +261,7 @@ Follow the lint verification steps in `.xdrs/_core/adrs/principles/skills/.asset
 ## References
 
 - [_core-adr-policy-003 - Skill standards](../../003-skill-standards.md)
+- [_core-adr-policy-023 - Skill runtime standards](../../023-skill-runtime-standards.md)
 - [_core-adr-policy-001 - XDRS standards](../../001-xdrs-standards.md)
 - [_core-adr-policy-021 - Skill bundling](../../021-skill-bundling.md)
 - [write-policy skill](../write-policy/SKILL.md)

package/.xdrs/_core/adrs/principles/skills/write-xdrs-doc/SKILL.md

@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ description: >
   Activate this skill when the user asks to create or write any XDRS element.
 metadata:
   author: flaviostutz
-  version: "1.2.0"
-  updated: 2026-09-30
+  version: "1.3.0"
+  updated: 2026-10-08
 ---
 
 ## Overview
@@ -81,12 +81,12 @@ Read the full content of the skill file for the inferred type, then follow all i
 ### Phase 3: Validate Mermaid Diagrams
 
 1. After the delegated skill completes, scan all files written in this session for fenced ` ```mermaid ` code blocks.
-2. For each diagram found, extract the content to a `.mmd` file in `.tmp/write-xdrs-doc-[YYYYMMDDHHMMSS]/.work/` at the workspace root (local start time; create it only when the first diagram is found, append `-2`, `-3`... if it exists, and use the same layout under the OS temp dir if the workspace is read-only) and run:
+2. For each diagram found, extract the content to a `.mmd` file in a temporary folder under the OS temp dir (create it only when the first diagram is found) and run:
    ```bash
    npx -y @mermaid-js/mermaid-cli -i <file>.mmd --quiet 2>&1
    ```
 3. For each diagram that fails validation, report the error to the user and ask them to correct the diagram before saving.
-4. Keep the extracted files after the run; if this step created the dir, end the final summary with `results-path: .tmp/write-xdrs-doc-[ts]/` (the actual dir), including when halting.
+4. Delete the temporary folder and its `.mmd` files when the run ends, including when halting.
 
 ### Constraints
 

package/.xdrs/_core/index.md

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ Each artifact type has its own writing standard:
 
 - **Policy documents** follow [_core-adr-policy-002](adrs/principles/002-policy-standards.md), which defines the mandatory template, frontmatter metadata, applicability rules, conflict handling, and word limits that keep decisions concise and authoritative.
 - **Structured Policies** with individually referenceable rules follow the extension [_core-adr-policy-008](adrs/principles/008-policy-structured-standards.md), adding numbered rule blocks and a dot-notation citation syntax.
-- **Skills** follow [_core-adr-policy-003](adrs/principles/003-skill-standards.md), using the agentskills format so they work for both humans and AI agents on an automation gradient from fully manual to fully automated.
+- **Skills** follow [_core-adr-policy-003](adrs/principles/003-skill-standards.md) and [_core-adr-policy-023](adrs/principles/023-skill-runtime-standards.md), using the agentskills format so they work for both humans and AI agents on an automation gradient from fully manual to fully automated.
 - **Articles** follow [_core-adr-policy-004](adrs/principles/004-article-standards.md), providing synthetic views that combine and link multiple Policies, research, and skills without replacing them as the source of truth.
 - **Research** follows [_core-adr-policy-006](adrs/principles/006-research-standards.md), using an IMRAD-based structure for studies that back decisions with reproducible evidence.
 - **Initiatives** follow [_core-adr-policy-007](adrs/principles/007-initiative-standards.md), capturing ephemeral execution initiatives with problem context, proposed solutions, milestones, and deliverables that are deleted after implementation.

package/README.md

@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ Scopes tagged `disabled` MUST be ignored; `extends-only` scopes apply only via e
 ```
 
 - `extends-only`: the scope's policies apply only through scopes that list it in `extends:`.
-- `disabled`: the scope is ignored; scopes that follow, extend or take their type from it become READ-ONLY.
+- `disabled`: the scope is ignored; enabled scopes that follow, extend or take their type from it become READ-ONLY, while a disabled scope may depend on other disabled scopes freely.
 - Scope authors declare `extends-only: true` in the scope `index.md` frontmatter when the scope is meant only to be extended; lint requires the root index tag to match.
 - The root index belongs to the consumer: packages ship it unmanaged so tags survive reinstalls.
 
@@ -217,6 +217,7 @@ The folder layout, file naming, and document format are designed so that AI agen
 - The canonical index per scope and type lists all XDRS elements with short descriptions, enabling agents to identify relevant records without reading every file.
 - The root index at `.xdrs/index.md` provides a single entry point for discovery.
 - Policy metadata gives agents a first-pass filter: check `valid-from` for the convergence date, then check `apply-to`, and finally the decision text itself to confirm the decision should be used in the current context. All documents present in the collection are considered active.
+- An optional, opt-in `sync-date` frontmatter field records when an element was last verified or reconciled against external entities (even if nothing changed). It is never added by default; compiled scopes set it in their scope index on every compile. See [_core-adr-policy-024](.xdrs/_core/adrs/principles/024-sync-date-frontmatter.md).
 - Decisions cross-reference each other by Policy ID rather than duplicating content, keeping individual files concise.
 - Subject folders reduce the search space when a query maps to a known domain.
 

package/lib/lint.js

@@ -32,9 +32,10 @@ const SOURCE_SNAPSHOT_DIR_NAME = 'sources';
 const SOURCE_TRACKING_FILE_NAME = 'source.md';
 const SKILL_PACKAGE_OPTIONAL_DIRS = new Set(['scripts', 'references', RESOURCE_DIR_NAME, 'dist']);
 
-const POLICY_ALLOWED_FRONTMATTER_KEYS = new Set(['name', 'description', 'apply-to', 'valid-from', 'license', 'metadata', 'freeze-reference']);
+const POLICY_ALLOWED_FRONTMATTER_KEYS = new Set(['name', 'description', 'apply-to', 'valid-from', 'license', 'metadata', 'freeze-reference', 'sync-date']);
 const SKILL_ALLOWED_FRONTMATTER_KEYS = new Set(['name', 'description', 'license', 'metadata']);
-const SCOPE_INDEX_ALLOWED_FRONTMATTER_KEYS = new Set(['scope-type', 'name', 'description', 'apply-to', 'valid-from', 'license', 'metadata', 'follows', 'extends', 'extends-only']);
+const SCOPE_INDEX_ALLOWED_FRONTMATTER_KEYS = new Set(['scope-type', 'name', 'description', 'apply-to', 'valid-from', 'license', 'metadata', 'follows', 'extends', 'extends-only', 'sync-date']);
+const SYNC_DATE_ONLY_FRONTMATTER_KEYS = new Set(['sync-date']);
 const IMAGE_EXTENSIONS = new Set(['.png', '.jpg', '.jpeg', '.gif', '.svg', '.webp', '.bmp']);
 const SLIDE_FILE_RE = /^.+-slides(?:-[a-z0-9-]+)?\.md$/;
 const SLIDE_MAX_NAME_LENGTH = 64;
@@ -238,8 +239,11 @@ function lintWorkspace(targetPath, options = {}) {
   // Populated during lintScopeIndexFrontmatter: scopeName -> [extendedScopeNames...]
   const extendsRelationships = new Map();
 
+  // A disabled scope is treated as not present, so it is exempt from dependency checks (_core-adr-policy-022.06)
+  const disabledScopes = new Set([...activation].filter(([, entry]) => entry.tag === 'disabled').map(([name]) => name));
+
   for (const scopeEntry of scopeEntries) {
-    lintScopeDirectory(xdrsRoot, scopeEntry.name, errors, actualTypeIndexes, ignoreExternal, effectiveExternalScopes, knownScopeTypes, extendsRelationships, externalScopes);
+    lintScopeDirectory(xdrsRoot, scopeEntry.name, errors, actualTypeIndexes, ignoreExternal, effectiveExternalScopes, knownScopeTypes, extendsRelationships, externalScopes, disabledScopes);
   }
 
   // Detect cycles in extends: chains (DFS)
@@ -434,7 +438,7 @@ function readScopeMeta(scopeIndexPath) {
 function lintLocalReadOnlyDependencies(xdrsRoot, scopeMeta, activation, externalScopes, knownScopeTypes, scopeTypeDefiningScopes, errors) {
   const isDisabled = (scopeName) => (activation.get(scopeName) || {}).tag === 'disabled';
   for (const [scopeName, meta] of scopeMeta) {
-    if (!meta || externalScopes.has(scopeName)) continue;
+    if (!meta || externalScopes.has(scopeName) || isDisabled(scopeName)) continue;
     const causes = [];
     for (const [field, targets] of [['follows', meta.follows], ['extends', meta.extends]]) {
       for (const target of targets) {
@@ -576,8 +580,9 @@ function deriveScopeNameListEntries(block, lineMatch, inlineValue) {
   return parseYamlListItems(block, lineMatch).filter(Boolean);
 }
 
-function lintScopeIndexFrontmatter(scopeIndexPath, scopeName, errors, xdrsRoot, knownScopeTypes = new Map(), extendsRelationships = new Map(), externalScopes = new Set()) {
+function lintScopeIndexFrontmatter(scopeIndexPath, scopeName, errors, xdrsRoot, knownScopeTypes = new Map(), extendsRelationships = new Map(), externalScopes = new Set(), disabledScopes = new Set()) {
   const isExternal = externalScopes.has(scopeName);
+  const skipMissingDependencies = isExternal || disabledScopes.has(scopeName);
   const content = fs.readFileSync(scopeIndexPath, 'utf8');
   const fmMatch = content.match(/^---\r?\n([\s\S]*?)\r?\n---(?:\r?\n|$)/);
   if (!fmMatch) {
@@ -638,7 +643,7 @@ function lintScopeIndexFrontmatter(scopeIndexPath, scopeName, errors, xdrsRoot,
   for (const st of scopeTypes) {
     if (st === '_local') continue;
     if (!knownScopeTypes.has(st)) {
-      if (!isExternal) {
+      if (!skipMissingDependencies) {
         errors.push(`Scope index scope-type "${st}" has no corresponding ${st}-scope-type policy in the principles of any scope: ${toDisplayPath(scopeIndexPath)} [_core-adr-policy-010.10-def-valid-iff-policy-exists]`);
       }
       continue;
@@ -728,6 +733,9 @@ function lintScopeIndexFrontmatter(scopeIndexPath, scopeName, errors, xdrsRoot,
   } else if (!isIsoDate(fm.validFrom)) {
     errors.push(`Scope index frontmatter valid-from must be a valid ISO date YYYY-MM-DD: ${toDisplayPath(scopeIndexPath)} [_core-adr-policy-001]`);
   }
+  if (fm.syncDate !== undefined && !isIsoDate(fm.syncDate)) {
+    errors.push(`Scope index frontmatter sync-date must be a valid ISO date YYYY-MM-DD: ${toDisplayPath(scopeIndexPath)} [_core-adr-policy-024.05-placement-and-format]`);
+  }
 
   let followsEntries = [];
   const followsLineMatch = block.match(/^follows:[ \t]*(.*)/m);
@@ -759,8 +767,8 @@ function lintScopeIndexFrontmatter(scopeIndexPath, scopeName, errors, xdrsRoot,
           }
           const followedIndexPath = path.join(xdrsRoot, entry, 'index.md');
           if (!existsFile(followedIndexPath)) {
-            // A missing dependency of an external scope makes it READ-ONLY (_core-adr-policy-022.06); lint does not report it.
-            if (!isExternal) {
+            // A missing dependency of an external scope makes it READ-ONLY and a disabled scope is exempt (_core-adr-policy-022.06); lint does not report it.
+            if (!skipMissingDependencies) {
               errors.push(`Scope index frontmatter follows references scope "${entry}" which does not exist in the workspace: ${toDisplayPath(scopeIndexPath)} [_core-adr-policy-001]`);
             }
           } else {
@@ -816,7 +824,7 @@ function lintScopeIndexFrontmatter(scopeIndexPath, scopeName, errors, xdrsRoot,
           continue;
         }
         if (!existsFile(path.join(xdrsRoot, entry, 'index.md'))) {
-          if (!isExternal) {
+          if (!skipMissingDependencies) {
             errors.push(`Scope index frontmatter extends references scope "${entry}" which does not exist in the workspace: ${toDisplayPath(scopeIndexPath)} [_core-adr-policy-010.32-extends-mandatory-presence]`);
           }
         }
@@ -829,7 +837,7 @@ function lintScopeIndexFrontmatter(scopeIndexPath, scopeName, errors, xdrsRoot,
 }
 
 
-function lintScopeDirectory(xdrsRoot, scopeName, errors, actualTypeIndexes, ignoreExternal, externalScopes, knownScopeTypes = new Map(), extendsRelationships = new Map(), trackedExternalScopes = new Set()) {
+function lintScopeDirectory(xdrsRoot, scopeName, errors, actualTypeIndexes, ignoreExternal, externalScopes, knownScopeTypes = new Map(), extendsRelationships = new Map(), trackedExternalScopes = new Set(), disabledScopes = new Set()) {
   const scopePath = path.join(xdrsRoot, scopeName);
 
   if (ignoreExternal && externalScopes.has(scopeName)) {
@@ -888,7 +896,7 @@ function lintScopeDirectory(xdrsRoot, scopeName, errors, actualTypeIndexes, igno
     errors.push(`Missing required scope index: ${toDisplayPath(scopeIndexPath)} [_core-adr-policy-001]`);
   } else {
     lintScopeIndex(scopeIndexPath, xdrsRoot, scopeName, typeIndexesInScope, errors, externalScopes);
-    lintScopeIndexFrontmatter(scopeIndexPath, scopeName, errors, xdrsRoot, knownScopeTypes, extendsRelationships, trackedExternalScopes);
+    lintScopeIndexFrontmatter(scopeIndexPath, scopeName, errors, xdrsRoot, knownScopeTypes, extendsRelationships, trackedExternalScopes, disabledScopes);
   }
   lintLocalMetaPolicies(xdrsRoot, scopeName, errors, isCompiledScope);
 }
@@ -1122,7 +1130,7 @@ function lintXdrsElementFile(xdrsRoot, scopeName, typeName, subjectName, filePat
 
   const expectedName = extractExpectedXdrsNameFromHeading(firstLine)
     || `${scopeName}-${TYPE_TO_ID[typeName]}-${number}-${match[2]}`;
-  lintXdrsElementFrontmatter(content, expectedName, filePath, errors, freezeReference);
+  lintXdrsElementFrontmatter(content, expectedName, filePath, errors, freezeReference, isCompiledScope);
   if (enforceStructured) {
     validateStructuredFormatContent(content, filePath, errors, '_core-adr-policy-010.12-def-core-scope-policies-must-be-structured');
   } else if (isCompiledScope) {
@@ -1166,7 +1174,7 @@ function slugifyTitle(title) {
     .replace(/--+/g, '-');
 }
 
-function lintXdrsElementFrontmatter(content, expectedName, filePath, errors, freezeReference = false) {
+function lintXdrsElementFrontmatter(content, expectedName, filePath, errors, freezeReference = false, isCompiledScope = false) {
   const fm = extractFrontmatter(content);
   if (!fm.present) {
     errors.push(`Policy must start with a YAML frontmatter block: ${toDisplayPath(filePath)} [_core-adr-policy-002]`);
@@ -1210,6 +1218,34 @@ function lintXdrsElementFrontmatter(content, expectedName, filePath, errors, fre
       errors.push(`Policy frontmatter has unknown field "${key}": ${toDisplayPath(filePath)} [_core-adr-policy-002]`);
     }
   }
+  if (fm.syncDate !== undefined) {
+    if (isCompiledScope) {
+      errors.push(`Policy frontmatter must not include sync-date in a compiled scope (it belongs in the scope index): ${toDisplayPath(filePath)} [_core-adr-policy-024.07-compiled-scopes]`);
+    } else if (!isIsoDate(fm.syncDate)) {
+      errors.push(`Policy frontmatter sync-date must be a valid ISO date YYYY-MM-DD: ${toDisplayPath(filePath)} [_core-adr-policy-024.05-placement-and-format]`);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Validates the optional frontmatter block of articles, research and initiatives: it may only
+ * contain a valid `sync-date` (_core-adr-policy-024.05-placement-and-format).
+ */
+function lintSyncDateOnlyFrontmatter(content, filePath, docType, policyId, errors) {
+  const fm = extractFrontmatter(content);
+  if (!fm.present) {
+    return;
+  }
+  for (const key of fm.topLevelKeys) {
+    if (!SYNC_DATE_ONLY_FRONTMATTER_KEYS.has(key)) {
+      errors.push(`${docType} frontmatter has unknown field "${key}" (only sync-date is allowed): ${toDisplayPath(filePath)} [${policyId}]`);
+    }
+  }
+  if (fm.syncDate === undefined) {
+    errors.push(`${docType} frontmatter must include a sync-date field when present: ${toDisplayPath(filePath)} [${policyId}]`);
+  } else if (!isIsoDate(fm.syncDate)) {
+    errors.push(`${docType} frontmatter sync-date must be a valid ISO date YYYY-MM-DD: ${toDisplayPath(filePath)} [_core-adr-policy-024.05-placement-and-format]`);
+  }
 }
 
 function lintSkillsDirectory(xdrsRoot, scopeName, skillsPath, errors, externalScopes = new Set()) {
@@ -1346,6 +1382,10 @@ function lintSkillMetadata(metadata, skillFilePath, errors) {
   } else if (!isIsoDate(fields.updated)) {
     errors.push(`SKILL.md frontmatter metadata.updated must be a valid ISO date YYYY-MM-DD: ${toDisplayPath(skillFilePath)} [_core-adr-policy-003]`);
   }
+
+  if (fields['sync-date'] !== undefined && !isIsoDate(fields['sync-date'])) {
+    errors.push(`SKILL.md frontmatter metadata.sync-date must be a valid ISO date YYYY-MM-DD: ${toDisplayPath(skillFilePath)} [_core-adr-policy-024.05-placement-and-format]`);
+  }
 }
 
 /**
@@ -1715,10 +1755,11 @@ function lintArticlesDirectory(xdrsRoot, scopeName, typeName, subjectName, artic
     const content = fs.readFileSync(entryPath, 'utf8');
     const typeId = TYPE_TO_ID[typeName].split('-')[0]; // 'adr', 'bdr', or 'edr'
     const expectedHeader = `# ${scopeName}-${typeId}-article-${number}:`;
-    const firstLine = firstNonEmptyLine(content);
+    const firstLine = firstNonEmptyLine(stripFrontmatter(content));
     if (!firstLine.startsWith(expectedHeader)) {
       errors.push(`Article title must start with "${expectedHeader}": ${toDisplayPath(entryPath)} [_core-adr-policy-004]`);
     }
+    lintSyncDateOnlyFrontmatter(content, entryPath, 'Article', '_core-adr-policy-004', errors);
 
     lintRequiredSections(content, entryPath, ARTICLE_REQUIRED_SECTIONS, 'Article', errors);
     lintNoEmojis(content, entryPath, 'Article', errors);
@@ -1770,10 +1811,11 @@ function lintResearchDirectory(xdrsRoot, scopeName, typeName, subjectName, resea
     const content = fs.readFileSync(entryPath, 'utf8');
     const typeId = TYPE_TO_ID[typeName].split('-')[0]; // 'adr', 'bdr', or 'edr'
     const expectedHeader = `# ${scopeName}-${typeId}-research-${number}:`;
-    const firstLine = firstNonEmptyLine(content);
+    const firstLine = firstNonEmptyLine(stripFrontmatter(content));
     if (!firstLine.startsWith(expectedHeader)) {
       errors.push(`Research title must start with "${expectedHeader}": ${toDisplayPath(entryPath)} [_core-adr-policy-006]`);
     }
+    lintSyncDateOnlyFrontmatter(content, entryPath, 'Research', '_core-adr-policy-006', errors);
 
     lintRequiredSections(content, entryPath, RESEARCH_REQUIRED_SECTIONS, 'Research', errors);
     lintResearchIntroductionQuestion(content, entryPath, errors);
@@ -1827,10 +1869,11 @@ function lintInitiativesDirectory(xdrsRoot, scopeName, typeName, subjectName, in
     const content = fs.readFileSync(entryPath, 'utf8');
     const typeId = TYPE_TO_ID[typeName].split('-')[0]; // 'adr', 'bdr', or 'edr'
     const expectedHeader = `# ${scopeName}-${typeId}-initiative-${number}:`;
-    const firstLine = firstNonEmptyLine(content);
+    const firstLine = firstNonEmptyLine(stripFrontmatter(content));
     if (!firstLine.startsWith(expectedHeader)) {
       errors.push(`Initiative title must start with "${expectedHeader}": ${toDisplayPath(entryPath)} [_core-adr-policy-007]`);
     }
+    lintSyncDateOnlyFrontmatter(content, entryPath, 'Initiative', '_core-adr-policy-007', errors);
 
     lintRequiredSections(content, entryPath, INITIATIVE_REQUIRED_SECTIONS, 'Initiative', errors);
     lintInitiativeExpectedEndDate(content, entryPath, errors);
@@ -2381,6 +2424,7 @@ function extractFrontmatter(content) {
   const nameMatch = block.match(/^name:\s*(.+)$/m);
   const validFromMatch = block.match(/^valid-from:\s*(.+)$/m);
   const appliedToMatch = block.match(/^apply-to:\s*(.+)$/m);
+  const syncDateMatch = block.match(/^sync-date:[ \t]*(.*)$/m);
   const topLevelKeys = [];
   for (const line of block.split('\n')) {
     const keyMatch = line.match(/^([a-zA-Z][a-zA-Z0-9_-]*):\s*/);
@@ -2396,6 +2440,7 @@ function extractFrontmatter(content) {
     descriptionText,
     validFrom: validFromMatch ? validFromMatch[1].trim() : undefined,
     appliedTo: appliedToMatch ? appliedToMatch[1].trim() : undefined,
+    syncDate: syncDateMatch ? syncDateMatch[1].trim() : undefined,
     freezeReference: freezeReferenceMatch ? freezeReferenceMatch[1].trim() === 'true' : false,
     metadata,
     topLevelKeys,