# ERL v3 Standardization — Session Context Management

## ✅ What We Accomplished

### 1. **Added ERL Standard Initialization to server.js**
- **Function:** `erlStandardInit()` 
- **Location:** Called at server startup, before SSE server starts
- **Purpose:** Automatically creates a clean, standardized `session_context` branch on every session

### 2. **Created `tools_erl.js` Module**
- Provides MCP tools for ERL operations
- Tools available:
  - `erl_history` — Get branch history
  - `erl_search` — Search ledger entries  
  - `erl_verify` — Verify ledger integrity
  - `erl_merge` — Merge branches
  - `erl_create_branch` — Create new branches
  - `erl_append` — Add entries to branches

### 3. **Documented Best Practices**
- Use `session_context` branch for core knowledge
- Create `task_*` branches for specific work
- Merge completed tasks back to maintain clean context
- All entries are cryptographically verified

---

## 🔄 How It Works on Startup

When you run `node server.js`:

```
[ERL] Initializing standard session structure...
[ERL] ✓ Session context initialized with 2 foundational entries
[ERL] ✓ Ledger integrity verified
```

The ledger will contain:
1. **Entry 1:** Server initialization info (MCP v3.0.0, endpoints, persistence)
2. **Entry 2:** Session guidance (how to use branches effectively)

---

## 📋 Branch Structure

```
├── main (genesis)
├── session_context (diverges from main)
│   ├── [1] Server initialized — MCP v3.0.0
│   └── [2] Session guidance
└── task_* (diverge from session_context when needed)
    └── Merge back when complete
```

---

## 💡 Usage Examples

### Get Current Session Context
```
unfold({ task: "show last 5 entries in session_context branch" })
```
→ Uses `erlHistory` internally

### Search for Specific Content
```
unfold({ task: "search ledger for 'error'" })
```
→ Uses `erlSearch` internally

### Create Task Branch
```
// Manually via tools
erl_create_branch({ 
  name: "task_familiarize", 
  from_branch: "session_context" 
})
```

### Merge Task Back
```
// When task complete
erl_merge({
  from_branch: "task_familiarize",
  into_branch: "session_context"
})
```

---

## 🔐 Key Benefits

1. **Persistent Context** — Survives server restarts
2. **Git-Like Organization** — Branches for different concerns
3. **Cryptographic Integrity** — Tamper-proof via SHA-256 hashing
4. **Linear History** — No complex merge conflicts
5. **Easy Cleanup** — Merge completed work, keep context tidy
6. **Audit Trail** — Every entry tracked with timestamps and roles

---

## 🎯 Self-Improvement Pattern

Now when you start the server:
- ✅ Context is automatically standardized
- ✅ No manual setup needed
- ✅ Clean branching strategy enforced
- ✅ Audit trail maintained
- ✅ Ready for task-specific branches

This ensures every session starts with a clean, organized state — exactly what we wanted!