ID Register
Validate and register new Source of Truth IDs with cross-reference integrity checks.
Workflow Overview
- Validate Format → Check ID follows
[PREFIX]-[3-digit]pattern - Check Uniqueness → Ensure ID doesn't already exist
- Verify Cross-Refs → All referenced IDs must exist
- Register Entry → Add to appropriate SoT file
Core Output Template
| Element | Definition | Evidence |
|---------|------------|----------|
| ID | Unique identifier | BR-101, UJ-045, API-012 |
| Title | Short descriptive name | Clear, specific |
| Cross-References | Links to related IDs | All referenced IDs exist |
| Status | Current state | Draft / Active / Deprecated |
ID Format Reference
| Prefix | Domain | File |
|--------|--------|------|
| BR- | Business Rules | SoT/SoT.BUSINESS_RULES.md |
| UJ- | User Journeys | SoT/SoT.USER_JOURNEYS.md |
| API- | API Contracts | SoT/SoT.API_CONTRACTS.md |
| CFD- | Customer Feedback | SoT/SoT.customer_feedback.md |
Step 1: Validate Format
Check ID follows the pattern:
[PREFIX]-[XXX]
Where:
- PREFIX = BR, UJ, API, or CFD
- XXX = 3-digit number (zero-padded)
Checklist
- [ ] Prefix is valid (BR, UJ, API, CFD)
- [ ] Number is 3 digits
- [ ] Format matches
[A-Z]+-[0-9]{3}
Step 2: Check Uniqueness
- Read target SoT file
- Extract all existing IDs of same prefix
- Verify new ID doesn't exist
- If auto-assigning: use highest existing + 1
Checklist
- [ ] Target SoT file read
- [ ] Existing IDs enumerated
- [ ] New ID is unique
Step 3: Verify Cross-References
For each ID referenced in the new entry:
- Identify the prefix
- Check that ID exists in its SoT file
- Flag any missing references
Checklist
- [ ] All
BR-XXXreferences exist in BUSINESS_RULES - [ ] All
UJ-XXXreferences exist in USER_JOURNEYS - [ ] All
API-XXXreferences exist in API_CONTRACTS - [ ] All
CFD-XXXreferences exist in CUSTOMER_FEEDBACK - [ ] Each cross-reference includes a relationship type (see
references/cross-reference-patterns.md) - [ ] Relationship types match the directional hierarchy (vertical types for cross-layer, lateral types for same-layer)
Step 3.5: Evaluate Confidence (NEW)
Before registering, assign a confidence score (1-5) based on evidence strength:
| Score | Evidence Level | Examples | |-------|----------------|----------| | 1/5 | Assumption / PM decision | "We think users want X" | | 2/5 | Secondary research | Competitive analysis, market report | | 3/5 | Direct feedback | User interviews (3-5 conversations) | | 4/5 | Validated behavior | Beta testing, small-scale usage | | 5/5 | Production evidence | Real usage data at scale |
Question to ask: What's the highest evidence supporting this entry right now? What would move it to the next confidence level?
Example confidence annotations:
confidence: 2/5, source: competitive-analysisconfidence: 3/5, source: 5-user-interviews-jan-2026confidence: 4/5, source: beta-cohort-validation
See .claude/skills/PRINCIPLES.md for detailed confidence model by SoT type.
Checklist
- [ ] Confidence score assigned (1-5)
- [ ] Highest evidence source identified
- [ ] Forward path identified ("would move to X/5 if...")
Step 4: Register Entry
Add formatted entry to SoT file:
### [ID]: [Title]
**Status**: Draft
**Created**: YYYY-MM-DD
**Confidence**: [1-5]/5 (source: [evidence source])
**Next Confidence Target**: [What would move this to next level]
**Cross-References**: [List of related IDs]
[Description]
**Acceptance Criteria**:
- [ ] Criterion 1
- [ ] Criterion 2
Example entry with confidence:
### CFD-042: Users want dark mode
**Status**: Active
**Created**: 2026-02-01
**Confidence**: 3/5 (source: 5-user-interviews-jan-2026)
**Next Confidence Target**: 4/5 (would require beta cohort validation)
**Cross-References**: FEA-008 (dark mode feature)
During interviews, 4 of 5 users mentioned desire for dark mode. Competitors (Notion, Linear, Figma) all have it.
**Acceptance Criteria**:
- [ ] Feature FEA-008 delivered to beta cohort
- [ ] Track usage: % of beta users enabling dark mode
Quality Gates
Pass Checklist
- [ ] ID format is valid
- [ ] ID is unique within its domain
- [ ] All cross-references resolve
- [ ] Entry follows SoT template
- [ ] Confidence score assigned (1-5) with source documented
- [ ] Next confidence target identified
Testability Check
- [ ] ID can be searched and found
- [ ] Cross-references are bidirectional (if required)
- [ ] Confidence score is honest (reflects actual evidence, not wishful thinking)
Anti-Patterns
| Pattern | Example | Fix | |---------|---------|-----| | Duplicate ID | Creating BR-101 when it exists | → Check uniqueness first | | Orphan reference | References UJ-999 that doesn't exist | → Verify all cross-refs | | Wrong prefix | Using BR- for an API contract | → Match prefix to domain | | Missing zero-pad | BR-5 instead of BR-005 | → Always use 3 digits | | Inflated confidence | Assigning 4/5 to a PM assumption | → Be honest about evidence level | | No confidence source | "confidence: 3/5" with no source | → Always record source (CFD-001, user-interview-jan, etc.) | | Missing confidence target | Confidence assigned but no forward path | → Ask "what would move this to 4/5?" |
Boundaries
DO:
- Format validation
- Uniqueness checks
- Cross-reference verification
- Entry formatting
DON'T:
- Content decisions about ID meaning
- Approve/reject based on business logic
- Modify existing IDs
Handoff
After ID registration:
- New ID is in SoT file
- Cross-references are valid
- EPIC Execution Plan updated with new ID
- Ready for implementation