This skill MUST be invoked when the user says "create constitution for existing codebase", "codify existing patterns", "brownfield constitution", "essential floor", or "emergent ceiling". SHOULD also invoke when user mentions "brownfield", "evolution roadmap", or "legacy project". Extends authoring-constitution.
View on GitHubplugins/humaninloop/skills/brownfield-constitution/SKILL.md
February 5, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/deepeshBodh/human-in-loop/blob/main/plugins/humaninloop/skills/brownfield-constitution/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill brownfield-constitutionInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/brownfield-constitution/# Brownfield Constitution Authoring ## Overview Write project constitutions for **existing codebases** using the **Essential Floor + Emergent Ceiling** approach. This skill extends `humaninloop:authoring-constitution` with brownfield-specific guidance that respects existing patterns while establishing governance. The core insight: existing codebases have implicit conventions worth preserving (Emergent Ceiling) but may lack foundational governance in critical areas (Essential Floor). This skill helps codify both. ## When to Use Applicable when: - Creating a constitution for an **existing codebase** (brownfield project) - The codebase has existing patterns, conventions, or architecture worth preserving - You need to establish governance without disrupting working code - The user mentions "brownfield", "existing codebase", or "legacy project" - Codifying implicit conventions into explicit, enforceable principles ## When NOT to Use - **New project from scratch**: **REQUIRED** alternative - Use `humaninloop:authoring-constitution` directly - **Codebase analysis not completed**: **REQUIRED** prerequisite - Run `humaninloop:analysis-codebase` first - **Project too small for formal governance**: Single-file scripts, prototypes do not need constitutions - **Validating existing constitution**: **OPTIONAL** - Use `humaninloop:validation-constitution` ## Prerequisites **REQUIRED:** This skill extends `humaninloop:authoring-constitution`. Prerequisites for brownfield mode: 1. **Understand core principles**: Read `humaninloop:authoring-constitution` for the Three-Part Principle Rule (Enforcement, Testability, Rationale) 2. **Know RFC 2119 keywords**: See RFC-2119-KEYWORDS.md in `humaninloop:authoring-constitution` 3. **Understand SYNC IMPACT format**: See SYNC-IMPACT-FORMAT.md in `humaninloop:authoring-constitution` 4. **Run codebase analysis**: Execute `humaninloop:analysis-codebase` to understand existing patterns Brownfield constitutions follow all rules from `huma