From 3b25ff136e4c4fdd9c4bcc2dde184ab7211162f9 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: jester <admin@zerolaghub.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:32:46 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] Clarify session startup flow after README front door

---
 SESSION_START.md | 37 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++----------
 1 file changed, 27 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/SESSION_START.md b/SESSION_START.md
index 5fc3314..4aefe61 100644
--- a/SESSION_START.md
+++ b/SESSION_START.md
@@ -1,14 +1,31 @@
 # Session Start Checklist
 
-Before working:
+`README.md` is the front door.
 
-1. Review OPEN_THREADS
-2. Review CONSTRAINTS
-3. Confirm no drift between:
-   - Portal
-   - API
-   - Agent
-4. Confirm file model assumptions are accurate
-5. Confirm upload transport is using raw piping
+After reading `README.md`, use this checklist to start work.
 
-Never assume speculative features are implemented.
+## Required
+
+1. Review `OPEN_THREADS.md`
+2. Review `CONSTRAINTS.md`
+
+## Read If Relevant
+
+3. Review `PROJECT_CONTEXT.md` if current platform state or routing model matters
+4. Review `INFRASTRUCTURE.md` if VM, IP, or host context matters
+5. Review `UPSTREAMS.md` if other repos or external dependencies matter
+
+## Deep Recovery Only
+
+Use these only if the live working set is not enough:
+
+- `SESSION_LOG/`
+- `Session_Summaries/`
+- `SCRATCH/`
+
+## Final Check Before Working
+
+- Confirm no drift between portal, API, and agent assumptions
+- Confirm file model assumptions are accurate
+- Confirm upload transport is using raw piping
+- Never assume speculative features are implemented