diff --git a/TensionUniverse/Contribute/open-experiments.md b/TensionUniverse/Contribute/open-experiments.md index 289643f7..1cfac10e 100644 --- a/TensionUniverse/Contribute/open-experiments.md +++ b/TensionUniverse/Contribute/open-experiments.md @@ -193,3 +193,142 @@ If your target is already listed, pick another valid problem. If your target is not yet built, keep the scope small, make one inspectable MVP page, and open a focused PR. That is the cleanest way to expand the Tension Universe experiment layer. + +--- + +This board is meant to lower contribution friction. +If you are unsure what “enough for MVP” means, start here. + +## Contributor FAQ + +This FAQ is intentionally practical. + +It is here to answer scope, merge, and workflow questions for contributors. +It does not define Tension Universe theory. +It only defines the cleanest way to contribute to the public MVP experiment layer. + +### Q1. Do I need to update every page that mentions completed experiments? + +No. + +For the MVP contribution path, the minimum required coordination update is this board: + +- `TensionUniverse/Contribute/open-experiments.md` + +If your experiment is complete, it is enough to reflect that here. +Other pages such as the experiments index, Event Horizon page, or root-level references can be updated later and should not block a small focused merge. + +### Q2. What counts as a valid MVP contribution? + +A valid MVP contribution is a small, inspectable slice of a real Tension Universe problem. + +The goal is not to solve the full problem. +The goal is to produce one honest, usable experiment page at the effective layer. + +In most cases, the cleanest MVP is: + +- one valid TU problem id +- one focused experiment folder +- one structured `README.md` +- one small runnable Colab or notebook, if it directly helps verification + +A narrow but working slice is enough. + +### Q3. Does the experiment need to cover the full TU problem? + +No. + +It only needs to cover one clear experimental slice of a valid TU problem. + +That slice may be: + +- a toy world +- one observable +- one comparison +- one probe +- one bounded demonstration + +If the scope is real, clear, and reproducible, it is valid as an MVP. + +### Q4. Is one runnable Colab enough for an MVP? + +Yes, in many cases. + +If one small Colab can run and the README clearly explains: + +- what the experiment is testing +- what the inputs are +- what the observable or result means +- what the current limits are + +then that is already a strong MVP contribution. + +The standard is “small but real,” not “large and complete.” + +### Q5. Can a README-first contribution still be useful? + +Yes. + +A clear README is always valuable because it defines the experiment shape, scope, and intended method. + +However, for a `Completed` entry, at least one runnable or inspectable artifact is strongly preferred. +That usually means: + +- a small Colab +- a small notebook +- or a clearly reproducible offline procedure + +If the README is good but the runnable piece is not ready yet, the item may be better marked as `In Progress`. + +### Q6. Is a TXT plus strong-model workflow acceptable? + +Yes. + +This project is explicitly designed around TXT-based engine packs and strong LLMs. + +An MVP may rely on the official TXT pack plus a lightweight notebook or evaluation scaffold, as long as the page clearly states: + +- what is reproducible directly +- what depends on an external model +- what is being demonstrated at the effective layer + +The workflow should be transparent, narrow, and honest about scope. + +### Q7. Should I work on an already completed experiment? + +Usually, no. + +For public MVP expansion, the first priority is to cover a valid problem that does not yet have a published experiment page. + +If an experiment is already completed, do not duplicate it unless you are adding a clearly scoped extension. +If you do extend an existing item, state that scope explicitly. + +### Q8. Should I open an issue first, or can I open a PR directly? + +Either is acceptable. + +- If the contribution is small, self-contained, and clearly in scope, a focused PR is fine. +- If the target, scope, or validity is unclear, open a short issue first. + +The cleaner the scope, the less process is needed. + +### Q9. What should I update after an experiment is completed? + +For the MVP merge path, update this board first. + +That means: + +- add the new completed item here, or +- move the item into the `Completed` section if this board is tracking it explicitly + +This page is the minimum coordination layer. +Other navigation pages can be synced later. + +### Q10. What if I can only complete a very small version? + +That is still useful. + +A small working fragment is better than a large unfinished draft. + +If you can make one claim inspectable, one notebook runnable, or one bounded setup readable, that is already real progress. +The experiment layer is intentionally built one small page at a time.