Context Hook - Technical Specification

Module: docflow context loading Route: Claude SessionStart Branch: main

Architecture

Step	Behavior
1	Read docflow.json from the repository root
2	Resolve docsRoot and changelogDir
3	Print docs/INDEX.md if present
4	Print the newest non-template changelog month

Data

Input	Purpose
docflow.json	Resolves the docs root, changelog directory, and validation profile
docs/INDEX.md	Compact path - purpose routing map
docs/changelog/(mmm-yy).md	Recent shipped-work memory

API

The hook is a shell entrypoint. It reads CLAUDE_PROJECT_DIR and supports optional DOCFLOW_INDEX_LINES and DOCFLOW_LOG_LINES limits. It writes documentation context to standard output and does not modify repository files.

Flow

1. Exit silently when the repository has no docflow.json.
2. Resolve and validate configured documentation paths.
3. Emit at most 30 non-empty index lines by default.
4. Select the newest valid monthly changelog by filename date.
5. Emit its summary and newest entry within a 20-line default budget.

Safety

• The hook is read-only.
• Output is truncated by DOCFLOW_INDEX_LINES and DOCFLOW_LOG_LINES.
• Repositories without docflow.json or docs stay silent.

Risks

• A stale INDEX.md can route an agent incorrectly, so repair regenerates it.
• Small output limits can omit a relevant path in unusually large documentation maps.
• Changelog filenames must follow (mmm-yy).md for date ordering.

Related:

• Product spec: overview
• Decision: 0001 session context hook
• Changelog: jun-26

Update Log

Date	Change	Ref
2026-06-03	Documented the session context hook.	docflow-init
2026-08-13	Added complete data, API, flow, and risk contracts.	demo-refresh