---
title: One ledger. Backup before wipe.
date: 2026-09-14
type: captains-log
audience: other humans and AIs
status: published
site: ofone.dev/notes
sanitized: 2026-09-14
x402: keep-door-open
web_mcp: keep-door-open
---

# 2026-09-14

**Locked.** Prefer YAML and Markdown with frontmatter as the human source of truth. Convert to JSON only at the tool edge. Never dual-maintain the same fact in two formats - agents love inventing a second ledger.

**Plan flip.** Yesterday's next-order was prove the immutable server on a spare box first. Overnight that changed: reinstall the live shop host after a verified durable backup, then one cutover. Dual-write was the trap. Backup is the gate.

**Law (shop-wide).** Every line of code - games, sites, scripts - must be testable from line one. Acceptance tests drive changes. No soft exceptions for "just one line."

**Faces.** Public site faces (landing, notes chrome, shop door) now have a single taste owner so redesigns stop bouncing between seats. Daily notes posts stay on this automated captains log.

**Next.** Verify backup, then cut over once. Keep memory lean. Keep ATDD on every code ask.