Intent and requirements for efficiently integrating thirdparty functionality.

INTENT.md

@@ -0,0 +1,205 @@
+# open-reuse
+
+*Managed continuity for valuable open-source integrations.*
+
+## 1. Intent
+
+open-reuse exists to transform proven integrations with open-source software into **structured, maintainable, and automatically managed integration assets**.
+
+In practice, valuable integrations are often created pragmatically: a component is reused, a service is adapted, a module is extracted, or a system is extended. Once such integrations demonstrate real-world value, they become long-term dependencies on upstream evolution.
+
+open-reuse provides a framework and service model to ensure that these integrations remain **robust, transparent, and continuously maintainable** over time.
+
+The goal is not merely reuse, but **sustainable reuse under change**.
+
+---
+
+## 2. Problem Statement
+
+Open-source reuse commonly suffers from the following failure modes:
+
+- Integrations are **implicit and undocumented**
+- Boundaries between systems are **unclear or leaky**
+- Upstream changes introduce **silent breakage or drift**
+- Updates are **manual, inconsistent, or postponed**
+- Forks and patches become **unmaintainable technical debt**
+- Responsibility is **unclear or lost over time**
+
+As a result, initially valuable integrations degrade into fragile liabilities.
+
+---
+
+## 3. Core Idea
+
+open-reuse treats every valuable integration as a **first-class, managed artifact**.
+
+A working integration is:
+
+1. **Analyzed** — its structure and dependencies are understood  
+2. **Classified** — its reuse mode is explicitly defined  
+3. **Refactored** — clear boundaries and interfaces are established  
+4. **Reframed** — it is expressed as an *Integration Definition*  
+5. **Registered** — it becomes part of the open-reuse system  
+6. **Maintained** — it is continuously monitored, validated, and updated  
+
+Automation handles the default case.  
+Humans intervene only when necessary.
+
+---
+
+## 4. Lifecycle
+
+```text
+Build Integration
+→ Prove Value
+→ Analyze Integration
+→ Classify Reuse Mode
+→ Refactor Boundaries
+→ Create Integration Definition
+→ Register Integration
+→ Monitor Upstream Changes
+→ Auto-update + Validate
+→ Escalate if Required
+````
+
+open-reuse explicitly starts **after an integration has proven its value**.
+
+---
+
+## 5. Key Concepts
+
+### Integration
+
+A working reuse relationship between a local system and upstream open-source software.
+
+### Proven Integration
+
+An integration that has been built, tested, and validated as useful in practice.
+
+### Integration Definition
+
+A structured, machine-readable description of an integration, including:
+
+* upstream sources
+* reuse mode
+* boundaries and interfaces
+* update policies
+* validation requirements
+
+### Reuse Mode
+
+The classified pattern of reuse, such as:
+
+* dependency
+* plugin
+* adapter
+* component extraction
+* patch overlay
+* fork continuation
+
+### Reuse Boundary
+
+A clearly defined interface that isolates local systems from upstream change.
+
+### Validation Harness
+
+A set of automated checks ensuring the integration remains functional and compliant.
+
+### Update Policy
+
+Rules governing how upstream changes are handled (automatic, reviewed, blocked).
+
+### Maintainer
+
+A responsible party notified when automation cannot safely proceed.
+
+### Escalation Case
+
+A condition requiring human inspection, such as:
+
+* breaking changes
+* failed validation
+* security issues
+* license changes
+
+---
+
+## 6. System Responsibilities
+
+open-reuse provides:
+
+* A **registry** for integration definitions
+* Continuous **upstream monitoring**
+* **Impact analysis** for upstream changes
+* Automated **update execution** where safe
+* **Validation pipelines** for correctness and compliance
+* **Escalation mechanisms** to maintainers
+* A transparent **audit trail** of integration evolution
+
+---
+
+## 7. Design Principles
+
+### Explicit over implicit
+
+All integrations must be defined, structured, and inspectable.
+
+### Boundaries first
+
+Every integration must expose a clear and controlled interface.
+
+### Automate the default
+
+Safe updates and validations should require no human intervention.
+
+### Human-in-the-loop for uncertainty
+
+Ambiguous or high-risk changes must be escalated.
+
+### Preserve upstream alignment
+
+Prefer adaptation and composition over forks and divergence.
+
+### Keep knowledge executable
+
+All integration knowledge must be encoded in version-controlled artifacts.
+
+---
+
+## 8. Scope
+
+open-reuse focuses on:
+
+* Integrations between open-source applications and systems
+* Long-lived reuse relationships requiring maintenance
+* Automated handling of upstream evolution
+
+open-reuse does **not** aim to:
+
+* Replace package managers
+* Replace CI/CD systems
+* Act as a generic integration platform
+* Manage initial integration development
+
+It complements these by managing **what happens after integration success**.
+
+---
+
+## 9. Vision
+
+A world where reuse of open-source software is:
+
+* **Reliable** — integrations do not silently degrade
+* **Transparent** — dependencies and boundaries are explicit
+* **Maintainable** — updates are continuous and systematic
+* **Scalable** — reuse can grow without accumulating hidden risk
+
+open-reuse enables organizations to build on open-source ecosystems
+without turning integration into long-term fragility.
+
+---
+
+## 10. One-Sentence Summary
+
+open-reuse turns proven open-source integrations into structured, registered, and automatically maintained assets with explicit boundaries, validation, and controlled evolution.
+