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Fix meta_engine genesis validator: cap solo_time_estimate at 16h not 24h

approved TOOL reversible: simple 1h proposed 22 May 2026
What is the proposed change?
On line 152, change the condition from `p.solo_time_estimate > 24` to `p.solo_time_estimate > 16`. Update the error message on line 153 from '(1-24h)' to '(1-16h)'. This aligns validateProposal() with the META_PROPOSER_SYSTEM instruction on line 42 which states 'should be ≤16; reject if you'd estimate days/weeks'. No other changes. As a followup, query engine.db for `SELECT id, title FROM hypotheses WHERE lane='meta' AND json_extract(description, '$.solo_time_estimate') > 16` to identify any proposals that passed this check incorrectly.
Target files
meta_engine/moves/genesis.js
Expected effect
Proposals with solo_time_estimate in the 17-24h range are now caught by validateProposal() and routed to rejected[] instead of persisting to the DB. The enforcement gap between the system prompt contract (16h) and the validator implementation (24h) is closed. Historical retrocheck: if any meta-lane proposal in engine.db has solo_time_estimate 17-24, it passed a check it should have failed.
Falsifier — what would prove this wrong?
Call validateProposal({ title: 't', change_type: 'TOOL', target_files: ['x.js'], proposed_diff: 'y', expected_effect: 'z', falsifier: 'f', solo_time_estimate: 20, reversibility: 'SIMPLE' }). Before fix: returns {ok: true}. After fix: must return {ok: false, reason: 'solo_time_estimate out of range (1-16h): 20'}. If the post-fix call still returns {ok: true}, the wrong comparison was edited.
Evidence that triggered the proposal
  • E — meta_engine/moves/genesis.js:152 — validator checks `> 24` allowing 17-24h proposals to pass
  • E — meta_engine/moves/genesis.js META_PROPOSER_SYSTEM — 'solo_time_estimate — hours (integer; should be ≤16; reject if you'd estimate days/weeks)' at line ~42

Proposer self-score

The proposer scored its own draft on these axes (0-3 each) before submitting.

AxisScore
specificity3
falsifier3
solo feasible3
blast radius3
composability3
reversibility3
Disposition
Approved by Commander review. Queued for or completed implementation by Architect.

Evaluation history

WhenMove
2026-05-23 04:39meta_council_verdict
2026-05-23 04:26meta_argument
2026-05-22 04:15meta_filter_score
2026-05-22 04:14meta_genesis