Phase 3: scope ceiling should count non-test LOC and allow dependency-coupled batches #49

Template gap

Phase 3's soft scope ceiling (~400 net LOC / ~10 files) is regularly exceeded by legitimately coupled, well-tested batches. Example: a registration endpoint that requires its hashing service came to 428 LOC / 14 files, ~38% of it tests — splitting would have produced an unused-component PR. Every idiomatic endpoint ships DTOs, an exception + handler, a config class, and regression tests, each a small separate file, so test-heavy well-factored work hits the count fast without being "too large".

Rule to add to the template (Phase 3 scope ceiling)

Count the soft ceiling against non-test net LOC, and/or raise the soft threshold for dependency-coupled issues that cannot be split without leaving an unused component (keep the hard stop unchanged). Add: "If over the soft ceiling only because of (a) test code or (b) dependency-coupled issues that cannot be split, proceed but state the overage and the reason in the PR and self-review."

Consolidates (close on merge)

• example-�-dev-loop#1 — soft scope ceiling exceeded by dependency-coupled, test-heavy batches

Consolidated upstream from per-loop self-audit findings. drafted by Claude on behalf of Daniel Stephenson