From f74463d0141a41c624d4254201ab010d9aca1b7e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Mike Swanson <mike@azcomputerguru.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2026 06:51:39 -0700
Subject: [PATCH] memory: approval workflow for tools vs projects

Tools (remediation-tool, onboard scripts, MSP utilities):
- Howard can modify directly
- Claude can execute with Howard OR Mike approval
- No roadmap process, immediate operational changes

Projects (GuruRMM, ClaudeTools API, etc.):
- Require Mike approval
- Features go to roadmap
- Bugs go to bug list

Established during Cascades CA role gap fix discussion.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 .claude/memory/MEMORY.md                      |  1 +
 .../approval-workflow-tools-vs-projects.md    | 83 +++++++++++++++++++
 2 files changed, 84 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 .claude/memory/approval-workflow-tools-vs-projects.md

diff --git a/.claude/memory/MEMORY.md b/.claude/memory/MEMORY.md
index da86904..5c783cf 100644
--- a/.claude/memory/MEMORY.md
+++ b/.claude/memory/MEMORY.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # Memory Index
 
 ## Reference
+- [Approval Workflow: Tools vs Projects](approval-workflow-tools-vs-projects.md) - General tools (remediation-tool, onboard scripts, MSP utilities): Howard can modify OR Claude can execute with Howard/Mike approval. Projects (GuruRMM, etc.): require Mike approval, features→roadmap, bugs→bug list.
 - [Community Forum (Flarum)](reference_community_forum.md) - Flarum forum at community.azcomputerguru.com, API access, database, posting workflow
 - [Radio Show Website](reference_radio_website.md) - Astro static site at radio.azcomputerguru.com on IX server
 - [IX Server SSH Access](reference_ix_server_ssh.md) - SSH access notes, no key auth from CachyOS workstation yet
diff --git a/.claude/memory/approval-workflow-tools-vs-projects.md b/.claude/memory/approval-workflow-tools-vs-projects.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..732b226
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.claude/memory/approval-workflow-tools-vs-projects.md
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+# Approval Workflow: Tools vs Projects
+
+**Created:** 2026-04-29
+**Authority:** Mike Swanson (owner)
+**Context:** Cascades CA role gap fix discussion
+
+---
+
+## General Tools (Immediate Operational Changes)
+
+**Scope:**
+- remediation-tool skill and all subscripts
+- onboard-tenant.sh and MSP automation utilities
+- Backup scripts, sync scripts, operational tooling
+- Any utility designed to support field work
+
+**Approval Authority:**
+- **Howard Enos** can modify directly to further his work
+- **Claude** can execute changes with approval from **either** Howard **or** Mike
+- No roadmap process required
+- Changes go directly to implementation
+
+**Rationale:**
+Tools need to adapt quickly to field conditions. When a technician hits a blocker (like the CA role gap), the tool should be fixed immediately to unblock the work.
+
+---
+
+## Projects (Structured Development)
+
+**Scope:**
+- GuruRMM (Rust/Axum server + dashboard)
+- ClaudeTools API (FastAPI/MariaDB)
+- Radio show audio processor
+- Any larger software system with architectural complexity
+
+**Approval Authority:**
+- **Requires Mike Swanson approval** for changes
+- Feature requests → add to project roadmap
+- Bugs → add to project bug list
+- More structured development workflow with planning
+
+**Rationale:**
+Projects need architectural oversight, version planning, and consideration of downstream impacts. Changes follow formal development process.
+
+---
+
+## Examples
+
+### Tool Fix (Approved Immediately)
+- **Scenario:** Howard discovers Tenant Admin SP lacks CA Administrator role in newly onboarded tenant
+- **Action:** Fix onboard-tenant.sh to assign the role automatically
+- **Approval:** Mike approved in conversation; Howard could have approved directly
+- **Process:** Implement immediately, test, commit
+
+### Project Feature (Roadmap)
+- **Scenario:** Howard wants GuruRMM to add automatic Windows patching workflow
+- **Action:** Add to GuruRMM roadmap with priority and scope notes
+- **Approval:** Mike reviews roadmap quarterly, prioritizes features
+- **Process:** Design → approval → sprint planning → implementation
+
+### Project Bug (Bug List)
+- **Scenario:** GuruRMM dashboard doesn't refresh agent status automatically
+- **Action:** Add to GuruRMM bug list with severity and reproduction steps
+- **Approval:** Mike reviews bug list, assigns priority
+- **Process:** Triage → fix → test → deploy
+
+---
+
+## When Unclear
+
+**If in doubt about tool vs project:**
+- Tools are utilities that **support** the work
+- Projects are systems that **are** the work
+
+**If in doubt about approval:**
+- Operational blocker in the field → tool fix, proceed with available approval
+- Enhancement or new capability → ask Mike first
+- Security or credential handling → always confirm with Mike
+
+---
+
+**Status:** Active policy
+**Last Updated:** 2026-04-29