# Default Approval Protocol

**Decision ID:** GOV-APPROVAL-001
**Status:** APPROVED
**Effective Date:** 2025-12-06

## Purpose

This protocol establishes a default decision-making framework for tasks blocked on approvals, staffing decisions, or owner assignments. It enables autonomous progress while maintaining accountability.

## 48-Hour Silence Rule

**Principle:** Silence within 48 hours of a documented request constitutes implicit approval.

### Scope

This rule applies to:
- Schema approvals pending guild review
- Design document sign-offs
- Staffing/owner assignment requests
- Contract freeze decisions
- Migration approval gates

### Exclusions

This rule does NOT apply to:
- Security-critical decisions (key rotation, credential issuance)
- Production deployment approvals
- Customer-facing contract changes
- License or legal decisions

## Decision Artifact Pattern

When a decision is needed, create a **Decision Contract** document:

```markdown
# <Topic> Decision Contract

**Decision ID:** DECISION-<ID>
**Status:** PENDING-APPROVAL (48h window starts: <timestamp>)
**Deadline:** <timestamp + 48h>
**Notify:** <guild-leads@stella-ops.org>

## Proposed Decision
<What is being decided>

## Rationale
<Why this is the recommended default>

## Impact
- Tasks unblocked: <count>
- Sprint files affected: <list>

## Reversibility
<How to override if the default is not acceptable>
```

After 48 hours without objection:
1. Update `Status:` to `DEFAULT-APPROVED`
2. Update dependent sprint files
3. Log in `docs/governance/decisions-log.md`

## Owner Manifest Pattern

When a task is blocked on staffing/ownership:

```markdown
# <Component> Owner Manifest

**Decision ID:** OWNER-<ID>
**Status:** ASSIGNED
**Effective Date:** <date>

## Assignment
<Component> is owned by <Guild/Team> for implementation purposes.

## Rationale
<Why this assignment makes sense>

## Scope
<What this owner is responsible for>

## Escalation Path
<Who to escalate to if blocked>

## Authority Granted
This manifest grants implementation authority to proceed with tasks
blocked on staffing.
```

## Governance Log

All decisions made via this protocol MUST be logged in:
- `docs/governance/decisions-log.md` (append-only)
- Relevant sprint file execution logs

## Escalation

If a decision is contested after default approval:
1. Raise in next daily standup
2. Escalate to steering committee if unresolved in 24h
3. Decision may be reversed but work already done is preserved

## References

- [Approvals and Routing](./approvals-and-routing.md)
- [Exceptions](./exceptions.md)