median: one authored home — model truth stamped at init, prunable by contract

.changeset/median-headings-vessel-docs.md

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"@design-intelligence/ghost": patch
+---
+
+Reframe the median as Ghost-stamped model truth and align Vessel's median check with heading anchors.

.changeset/median-one-home.md

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"@design-intelligence/ghost": minor
+---
+
+The median floor gets one authored home: `anti-goal.median` rules become markdown headings with per-rule check references, so `ghost validate` warns on every flag orphaned by pruning. All init templates (`skeleton`, `minimal`, `composition`) now stamp the median node; `ghost checks init` copies the paired check from the packaged payload and skips it when the node is absent.

apps/docs/src/content/docs/cli-reference.mdx

@@ -51,7 +51,7 @@ a finding (exit `1`).
 
 ### Initialize: `init`
 
-Scaffold a `.ghost/` package with the skeleton starter: a manifest, a `glossary.md` declaring the grammar/signature/register/anti-goal kinds, a core `index.md`, six grammar nodes of value-free decision logic, four signature nodes as unanswered dials awaiting your brand's values, and `anti-goal.median` — the model's measured defaults as reject→replace rules, pruned per brand. Nothing in the skeleton is fiction: grammar and the median floor are safe to consume verbatim; the dials tell the agent to ask or flag, never freehand. Use `--template minimal` when you only want the small manifest/glossary/index starter. Add truths by adding files (`principle.density.md`). Use
+Scaffold a `.ghost/` package. Every template and body includes `anti-goal.median`; the skeleton starter also includes a manifest, a `glossary.md` declaring the grammar/signature/register/anti-goal kinds, a core `index.md`, six grammar nodes of value-free decision logic, and four signature nodes as unanswered dials awaiting your brand's values. The median node is Ghost's measured knowledge of unsteered model behavior — model truth, not brand truth — stamped at init and owned (pruned, adapted) by you thereafter. Nothing in the skeleton is fiction: grammar and the median floor are safe to consume verbatim; the dials tell the agent to ask or flag, never freehand. Use `--template minimal` when you only want the small manifest/glossary/index starter. Add truths by adding files (`principle.density.md`). Use
 `--package <dir>` for an exact directory, or set `GHOST_PACKAGE_DIR` when a host
 wrapper stores Ghost files outside the default `.ghost`. Core `init` scaffolds
 the fingerprint only; pass `--with checks` to also add the checks directory in

apps/docs/src/content/docs/getting-started.mdx

@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ by decision. One high-confidence truth beats an empty catalog.
 
 The CLI handles the deterministic package work. Your agent handles the authoring:
 interviewing you, working with the material you show it, drafting node prose,
-and asking you to curate the claims. `ghost init` scaffolds the skeleton starter: `manifest.yml`, a `glossary.md` declaring the grammar/signature/register/anti-goal kinds, a core `index.md`, six grammar nodes of value-free decision logic, four signature nodes as unanswered dials, and `anti-goal.median` — the model's measured defaults as reject→replace rules headed by a prune instruction. Nothing in the skeleton is fiction: grammar and the median floor hold for any brand, and each dial tells the agent to ask you or flag the gap rather than freehand a value. Answering the dials is how the skeleton becomes your brand. Use `ghost init --template minimal` when you only want the small manifest/glossary/index starter.
+and asking you to curate the claims. `ghost init` stamps `anti-goal.median` into every template and body; the median node is Ghost's measured knowledge of unsteered model behavior — model truth, not brand truth — owned (pruned, adapted) by you after init. The skeleton starter also includes `manifest.yml`, a `glossary.md` declaring the grammar/signature/register/anti-goal kinds, a core `index.md`, six grammar nodes of value-free decision logic, and four signature nodes as unanswered dials. Nothing in the skeleton is fiction: grammar and the median floor hold for any brand, and each dial tells the agent to ask you or flag the gap rather than freehand a value. Answering the dials is how the skeleton becomes your brand. Use `ghost init --template minimal` when you only want the small manifest/glossary/index starter.
 
 ```bash
 ghost init

packages/ghost/src/commands/checks-command.ts

@@ -35,7 +35,11 @@ export function registerChecksCommand(cli: CAC): void {
         if (opts.format === "json") {
           process.stdout.write(
             `${JSON.stringify(
-              { dir: result.dir, written: result.written },
+              {
+                dir: result.dir,
+                written: result.written,
+                skipped: result.skipped,
+              },
               null,
               2,
             )}\n`,
@@ -45,6 +49,9 @@ export function registerChecksCommand(cli: CAC): void {
           for (const file of result.written) {
             process.stdout.write(`  ${file}\n`);
           }
+          for (const file of result.skipped) {
+            process.stdout.write(`  skipped ${file}\n`);
+          }
         }
         process.exit(0);
       } catch (err) {

packages/ghost/src/commands/init-command.ts

@@ -78,7 +78,12 @@ export function registerInitCommand(cli: CAC): void {
                 dir: result.paths.dir,
                 written: result.written,
                 ...(addedChecks !== undefined
-                  ? { checks: { written: addedChecks.written } }
+                  ? {
+                      checks: {
+                        written: addedChecks.written,
+                        skipped: addedChecks.skipped,
+                      },
+                    }
                   : {}),
               },
               null,
@@ -97,6 +102,9 @@ export function registerInitCommand(cli: CAC): void {
             for (const file of addedChecks.written) {
               process.stdout.write(`  checks/${file}\n`);
             }
+            for (const file of addedChecks.skipped) {
+              process.stdout.write(`  skipped checks/${file}\n`);
+            }
           }
         }
         process.exit(0);

packages/ghost/src/init-payloads/skeleton/anti-goal.median.md → packages/ghost/src/init-payloads/median/anti-goal.median.md

@@ -4,81 +4,82 @@ description: "The model's median defaults this fingerprint refuses — gather fo
 
 This is the model's median, not your brand. Each rule is reject→replace.
 Delete every line your brand legitimately violates — `ghost validate` will
-surface any check the deletion orphans.
+warn on any check reference the deletion orphans — delete the paired flag too.
 
 These are not aesthetic opinions. Where a count is given, it is the measured
 convergence of 300 unsteered generations across three frontier models (the
 antimedian experiment): the defaults a model reaches for when nobody hands it
 a brand. An output showing several of these tells reads as generated,
 whatever else it does right. A deterministic floor rides alongside these
-rules in checks — contrast, reduced motion, sane z-index, no overshoot
-easing — verified at review, never steered in prose.
+rules in the paired check — mechanical tells like gradient-filled text,
+emoji as interface icons, em-dash pileups, and aphoristic cadence —
+verified at review, never steered in prose.
 
-<!-- rule:median-hover-lift -->
+### Hover-lift
 Reject hover-lift (`translateY` + growing shadow) as the default interaction
 → confirm with color and background change at the fingerprint's fast
 duration. (measured: 341)
 
-<!-- rule:median-indigo-accent -->
+### Indigo accent
 Reject the indigo/blue/purple default accent (`#4f46e5`, `#2563eb`,
 `#8b5cf6` family; purple/violet hue 260–310) → the fingerprint's declared
 palette; absent one, monochrome plus a single functional accent.
 
-<!-- rule:median-dark-theme -->
+### Dark theme
 Reject unprompted dark theme → the fingerprint's declared surface.
 Dark-to-look-cool and light-to-be-safe are the same retreat from a decision.
 (measured: 271)
 
-<!-- rule:median-gradients -->
+### Gradients
 Reject gradient page and section backgrounds and gradient-filled CTAs → flat
 surfaces in semantic roles.
 
-<!-- rule:median-side-stripe -->
+### Side-stripe
 Reject side-stripe borders (a thick colored border on one side of a rounded
 card) — the single most recognizable tell of AI-generated UI → a full
 hairline border, a 4–8% surface tint, or a leading glyph.
 
-<!-- rule:median-cream-surface -->
+### Cream surface
 Reject the cream/sand/beige default surface (warm off-white; token names
 like `--cream`, `--sand`, `--parchment` are the tell) → a true off-white,
 the brand's own hue, or a committed color; warmth via accent and type, not
 the ground.
 
-<!-- rule:median-glassmorphism -->
+### Glassmorphism
 Reject glassmorphism (decorative backdrop blur) → flat surfaces with real
 borders and the fingerprint's elevation tiers.
 
-<!-- rule:median-chat-bubbles -->
+### Chat bubbles
 Reject chat bubbles with initials-circle avatars for assistant turns →
 assistant text plain on the page surface; user turns marked compactly.
 
-<!-- rule:median-stock-copy -->
+### Stock copy
 Reject stock template copy ("Simple, transparent pricing") → headings that
 state what this product specifically does.
 
-<!-- rule:median-celebration -->
+### Celebration
 Reject celebration copy and UI (exclamation success, confetti language) →
 quiet factual confirmation.
 
-<!-- rule:median-nested-cards -->
+### Nested cards
 Reject nested cards and everything-in-cards → one surface level per region;
 interior hierarchy from spacing and type; spacing and alignment group
 without card overhead.
 
-<!-- rule:median-hero-metric -->
+### Hero metric
 Reject the hero-metric template (big number + small label + supporting stats
 as default proof) → evidence specific to the product, or nothing. A
 prominent metric showing real user data is fine.
 
-<!-- rule:median-every-button-primary -->
+### Every button primary
 Reject every button a primary button → one primary per view; the rest step
 down the fingerprint's emphasis ladder.
 
-<!-- rule:median-eyebrow-kicker -->
+### Eyebrow kicker
 Reject an eyebrow kicker on every section → at most one, where the register
 sanctions it; one named kicker is voice, every-section is AI grammar.
 
-<!-- rule:median-decorative-motion -->
+### Decorative motion
 Reject decorative looping animation (pulse/float/shimmer) and uniform
 fade-and-rise on every scrolled section → motion as evidence of state
 change; loops only for genuine loading; decoration never compensates for

packages/ghost/src/init-payloads/median/median-tells.md

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+---
+name: Median tells
+description: Flags the measured defaults of unsteered generation, the deterministic floor, and current model-signature tells — hover-lift, default accents, unprompted dark theme, gradient text, contrast, frequency tells, and per-model signatures.
+severity: high
+references:
+  - anti-goal.median > Hover-lift
+  - anti-goal.median > Indigo accent
+  - anti-goal.median > Dark theme
+  - anti-goal.median > Gradients
+  - anti-goal.median > Glassmorphism
+  - anti-goal.median > Side-stripe
+  - anti-goal.median > Cream surface
+  - anti-goal.median > Chat bubbles
+  - anti-goal.median > Stock copy
+  - anti-goal.median > Celebration
+  - anti-goal.median > Hero metric
+  - anti-goal.median > Eyebrow kicker
+---
+
+These flags target the measured convergence patterns of unsteered model
+generation, the deterministic floor the median node licenses, and tells
+specific to individual models. Each is mechanically detectable in a diff.
+Pruning a rule from `anti-goal.median` orphans its paired reference here —
+`ghost validate` warns; delete the flag and its reference together.
+
+Flag `transform` with `translateY` inside a `:hover` rule on cards,
+buttons, or list items, especially paired with a shadow increase. Hover
+confirmation in this fingerprint is color and background change, not lift.
+(`anti-goal.median > Hover-lift`)
+
+Flag accent values in the indigo/blue/purple default family (`#4f46e5`,
+`#6366f1`, `#2563eb`, `#3b82f6`, `#8b5cf6`, and close neighbors)
+unless the diff shows the user asked for them. They are model defaults, not
+palette members. (`anti-goal.median > Indigo accent`)
+
+Flag whole-page dark backgrounds when the ask did not request dark mode.
+Dark surfaces are a declared brand choice or an explicit theme, never an
+unprompted default. (`anti-goal.median > Dark theme`)
+
+Flag `linear-gradient` or `radial-gradient` as page or section
+backgrounds, and gradient-filled buttons. (`anti-goal.median > Gradients`)
+
+Flag `backdrop-filter: blur` used for glassmorphism cards.
+(`anti-goal.median > Glassmorphism`)
+
+Flag `background-clip: text` (with or without the `-webkit-` prefix)
+paired with a gradient. Emphasis comes from weight or size in a single
+solid color.
+
+Flag a thick colored border on one side of an element (`border-left` or a
+`border-l-*` utility at 2px or more in a non-neutral color) while the
+other sides stay thin. (`anti-goal.median > Side-stripe`)
+
+Flag warm off-white page backgrounds in the cream/sand/beige band, and token
+names like `--cream`, `--sand`, `--parchment`, `--linen` introduced
+by the diff. (`anti-goal.median > Cream surface`)
+
+Flag assistant messages rendered as bubbles with initials-circle avatars.
+(`anti-goal.median > Chat bubbles`)
+
+Flag emoji used as icons or imagery in interface chrome. Text labels carry
+meaning.
+
+Flag stock template copy in headings: "Simple, transparent pricing",
+"Welcome back", and interchangeable-with-a-competitor phrasing. Recommend
+copy that states what this product specifically does.
+(`anti-goal.median > Stock copy`)
+
+Flag exclamation-marked success copy, confetti language, and celebratory UI
+("You did it!", "Awesome!"). Confirmation is quiet and factual.
+(`anti-goal.median > Celebration`)
+
+Flag the hero-metric template — a big number, small label, and supporting
+stats as default proof — unless the metric shows real user data. Recommend
+evidence specific to the product, or nothing.
+(`anti-goal.median > Hero metric`)
+
+Deterministic floor — licensed by the median node, verified here, never
+steered in prose:
+
+Flag text/background pairs below WCAG AA contrast: 4.5:1 for body text,
+3:1 for large text (24px and up, or 18.7px bold and up). Check the worst
+stop when the background is a gradient.
+
+Flag animation or transition without a `prefers-reduced-motion: reduce`
+alternative — a crossfade or instant state change.
+
+Flag ad-hoc z-index values (`999`, `9999`, or any value outside a
+declared scale). Layering wants a semantic scale, not an arms race.
+
+Flag `cubic-bezier` easings whose control points overshoot the 0–1 range,
+and keyframe names matching bounce, elastic, wobble, or jiggle.
+
+Frequency tells — the crime is repetition, not the move (advisory):
+
+Flag three or more uppercase, tracked eyebrow kickers above section headings
+in one page. One named kicker is voice; a kicker on every section is model
+grammar. (`anti-goal.median > Eyebrow kicker`)
+
+Flag five or more em-dashes in body copy in one view.
+
+Flag three or more instances of the aphoristic rebuttal cadence ("Not X. Y."
+/ "Sentence. No qualifiers.") in one page's copy.
+
+Model-signature tells — skip any block whose model did not produce the diff
+(advisory):
+
+Codex: flag a 1px border paired with a box-shadow of 16px blur or more on
+the same element — pick a solid border or a tight shadow, not both. Flag
+border-radius of 32px or more on cards, sections, or inputs unless an
+answered shape dial (`signature.shape`) sanctions large radii — then it is
+fidelity, not a tell. Flag 1px linear-gradient grid or repeating-stripe
+backgrounds used as decoration.
+
+Gemini: flag `transform` (scale, rotate, translate) on `img` inside a
+`:hover` rule, including group-hover utilities targeting a child image.
+Animate the card's background, border, or shadow instead.

packages/ghost/src/init-payloads/skeleton/glossary.md

@@ -10,8 +10,8 @@ kinds:
 # grammar
 
 The brand's decision logic: closed sets, role vocabularies, and assembly
-rules, stated in token roles and never in literal values. Grammar survives a
-rebrand unchanged — swap every value and these nodes still hold. Gather
+rules, stated in token roles and never in literal values. Grammar survives an
+adaptation unchanged — swap every value and these nodes still hold. Gather
 grammar before inventing structure.
 
 # signature

packages/ghost/src/init-payloads/skeleton/index.md

@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@
 description: "Always read first — the trust tiers of this starter fingerprint, the unanswered dials, and how to work before they are answered."
 ---
 
-This is a skeleton fingerprint: the rebrand-safe law of good interface work,
+This is a skeleton fingerprint: the adaptation-safe law of good interface work,
 with every brand decision left explicitly open. It steers an agent away from
 the model's median from the first generation, without pretending to be a
 brand it is not.
 
 The corpus carries two trust tiers. Grammar and the median floor are law:
-safe to consume verbatim, unchanged by any future rebrand — they speak in
+safe to consume verbatim, unchanged by any adaptation — they speak in
 token roles and closed sets, never in literal values. Signature nodes are
 dials, and in this starter every dial is unanswered: each states the fixed
 relationship worth keeping and the question only a human can answer. Do not